Ranking Methodology
At The Playbook, the aim is to set a new global standard for football representation. Rankings are built on verified data, structured evaluation criteria, and confidential feedback from those who work directly with agents and agencies. Recognition is earned, never bought.
Agents and agencies are assessed across five core pillars:
1. Deal-making and market impact
Transfers, contract renewals and key negotiations over the past 12–24 months, with emphasis on the most recent year. Weight is given to the level of competition, move complexity, and whether the deal appears to have advanced the player's career.
2. Client roster and retention
Breadth and quality of client portfolios, including league level, international involvement and high-potential talent, as well as evidence of long-term relationships and stability rather than churn.
3. Player care and career stewardship
Evidence of holistic support: relocation, integration, injury or setback support, and long-term career planning. This is primarily assessed through anonymised case studies and corroborated feedback rather than sensitive personal detail.
4. Commercial, brand and post-career strategy
Appropriate commercial partnerships and endorsements, sensible brand positioning, and visible planning for life after playing, such as coaching, media or business pathways.
5. Professional conduct and market standing
Licensing and regulatory status, disciplinary record and reputation among clubs, peers and professional advisers, as well as contribution to constructive industry debate.
Agents and agencies are ranked in bands, not by number:
Hall of Fame
Sustained, era-defining impact and long-term excellence
Leading
Market-shaping operators with strong recent performance and clear influence
Highly Recommended
Established, high-quality operators with notable strengths and momentum
Recommended
Solid, credible performers and/or strong specialists in a particular niche or region
Recognised
Promising or clearly notable names in defined markets or categories
In addition to ranking bands, The Playbook also publishes specialist and editorial categories:
- Rising Stars (under 35)
- New Entrants to The Playbook
- Ones to Watch (global breakthroughs)
- Top Agents in Women's Football
- Top Commercial Dealmakers
- Top Cross-Border Specialists
- Top Agents Representing Coaches and Managers
- Top Boutique Agencies and other focused lists
Data is verified through public records, governing body registrations, club announcements, reputable databases and, where appropriate, confidential confirmation from clients or professional counterparts.
Agents and agencies are offered a confidential right-to-reply window before publication to correct factual inaccuracies in draft profiles. This process does not involve negotiation over bands or placement.
The Playbook rankings are published once annually. Interim editorial features and data-led insights may be released between editions, but these do not change the annual rankings or bands.
The Playbook's value depends on trust. Rankings, profiles and reports are produced through an independent editorial process that is entirely separate from commercial activity.
Independence
Rankings are determined exclusively by the research and editorial team, with no influence from commercial partners, advertisers or sponsors.
Integrity
Only verified information is published. Claims are checked against official sources or validated by clients or professional counterparts wherever possible.
Transparency
Methodology and evaluation criteria are public and applied consistently. Any material changes are signposted before a new annual cycle.
Equal treatment
All agents and agencies are assessed on the same basis, whether or not they choose to purchase enhanced profiles, sponsorships or advertising.
Editorial firewall
No one can buy their way into a ranking band. Commercial relationships remain entirely separate from editorial decisions.
Athletes, clubs, brands and stakeholders should be able to rely on The Playbook as an independent, data-informed guide to the global football representation market.