Manchester United
Mitchell, a product of Manchester United’s youth system, made his sole appearance for the club as a left-back during the 2016/2017 season in a victory against Crystal Palace. Following his time at United, he had loan spells at Hearts before joining Blackpool on a free transfer in 2020. His career has since seen him return to Edinburgh with Hibernian, play for Exeter City, and most recently, move to Leyton Orient this summer.
Mitchell said: “They [Leyton Orient] sent me an offer and then I started using ChatGPT, asking them how to negotiate the deal and what to say in it. I asked; ‘This is what I was on last season. I am moving to London, [so what is] the cost of living. My missus is going to move down with me with my little one’. I did think I was worth a little bit more as well, but you don’t want to be like; ‘Oh yeah, I think I should be earning X amount’. And then also because I didn’t use an agent, I get that as a signing-on fee.”
Mitchell’s innovative approach to negotiating his contract highlights the increasing role of technology in football. By using ChatGPT, he managed to navigate the complexities of contract negotiations without the assistance of an agent, thereby saving on agent fees. He humorously noted that ChatGPT has been his “best agent to date,” costing only £15 per month for the premium service, compared to the typical 5% agent fee.
Since joining Leyton Orient, Mitchell has become a regular player under manager Richie Wellens, though he has yet to score or assist for his new club. In their recent match, he came off the bench during a thrilling 4-3 defeat to Cardiff City. Leyton Orient currently occupies the 18th position in the League One standings.
The use of AI in sports negotiations is a testament to the evolving landscape of football, where players are increasingly taking control of their careers with the help of technology. As Mitchell’s example shows, AI tools like ChatGPT can offer valuable support in understanding market trends, cost of living adjustments, and negotiating strategies, providing players with the confidence to handle their contracts independently.
About The Author
