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On To The Next One: James Loney

Tampa Bay Rays first baseman James Loney (21) hits a single against the Boston Red Sox during the fifth inning of game three of the American League divisional series at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
First baseman James Loney is going into free agency with a new baseball agent. Photo Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

First baseman James Loney has made a change of representation, switching from Creative Artists Agency (CAA) to The Legacy Agency.  Loney was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers and made his professional debut with the club in 2006.  In 2012, he played for the Boston Red Sox and in 2013 enjoyed a successful season with the Tampa Bay Rays.  Loney is now a free-agent, and The Legacy Agency will earn a commission based on the next team contract that he signs.

In December 2012, Loney signed a 1-year, $2 million contract with the Rays, which was a more than $4 million discount from the contract he signed with the Dodgers in January of that same year.  Loney batted .299 with 13 home runs and strong defense, which will likely lead Loney to a larger payday this next go around.

A few months ago The Legacy Agency also picked up Chicago White Sox reliever Matt Lindstrom as a client.  Lindstrom had been represented by The Sparta Group.

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.