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On To The Next One: Rory McIlroy

In the past few months, the sports media (particularly those people focusing on golf) have been fawning over golf agent Andrew ‘Chubby’ Chandler.  The Managing Director of International Sports Management (ISM) represents Darren Clarke, Charl Schwartzel, Louis Oosthuizen, Lee Westwood, and used to represent U.S. Open champion Rory McIlroy.  The loss of McIlroy is particularly tough for Chandler considering the fact that Ernie Els also recently decided to part ways with ISM.

Last week, McIlroy parted ways with Chandler and ISM, choosing to sign with Conor Ridge of Horizon Sports Management.  Chandler had been representing McIlroy for roughly four years prior to the split.  Ridge mortgaged his home six years ago in order to find the capital to start Horizon Sports, located in Dublin, Ireland.  Now he and his company represent one of the hottest names in the game of golf.

Why did McIlroy leave Chandler?  Some believe that McIlroy’s strong relationship with Horizon client Graeme McDowell influenced McIlroy’s change.  McDowell was also represented by Chandler prior to linking up with Ridge of Horizon.  Others think that McIlroy’s girlfriend, tennis player Caroline Wozniacki, had something to do with the switch.

By Darren Heitner

Darren Heitner created Sports Agent Blog as a New Year's Resolution on December 31, 2005. Originally titled, "I Want To Be A Sports Agent," the website was founded with the intention of causing Heitner to learn more about the profession that he wanted to join, meet reputable individuals in the space and force himself to stay on top of the latest news and trends.

Heitner now runs Heitner Legal, P.L.L.C., which is a law firm with many practice areas, including sports law and contract law. Heitner has represented numerous athletes and sports agents as legal counsel. He has also served as an Adjunct Professor at Indiana University Bloomington from 2011-2014, where he created and taught a course titled, Sport Agency Management, which included subjects ranging from NCAA regulations to athlete agent certification and the rules governing the profession. Heitner serves as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Florida Levin College of Law, where he teaches a Sports Law class that includes case law surrounding athlete agents and the NCAA rules.