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Would You Like a Cuban Cigar With That Pitcher?

Americans have been smuggling Cuban items into the country since the formation of the Cuban Embargo. The latest item: professional baseball players.  Gustavo “Gus” Dominguez has been charged for paying aides to illegally bring Cuban players to California with the end goal being that they get signed by MLB teams [Feds charge agent with smuggling Cuban players to U.S.].

Gus Dominguez is no stranger to the business that he is operating.  As a former deportee of Cuba himself, Dominguez was once a part of the Yankees and Red Sox organizations.  He currently serves as an agent for Total Sports International, which is based in California. He may have to take leave very soon.

According to The Miami Herald:

Dominguez, Batista, and Valdez are accused of transporting, concealing and harboring from detection the illegal aliens.

The alien smuggling conspiracy carries a maximum penalty of 5 years’ imprisonment and a maximum fine of $250,000, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said. The assault of a federal officer carries a maximum penalty of 20 years’ imprisonment and a maximum fine of $250,000.

The alien smuggling, transporting of aliens, harboring, and concealing aliens charges each carry a maximum penalty of 10 years’ imprisonment and a maximum fine of $250,000.

Apparently, Dominguez is respected within the Sports Agent community and represents over 50 baseball players [Valley sports agent indicted in scheme].  Players, make sure you sign with the right guy/girl!

The gentlemen over at Sports Law Blog conclude that those interested in sports law (Sports Agents included) should read up on immigration law before entering the profession.  I concur.

By Darren Heitner

Darren Adam Heitner, Esq., is a preeminent sports attorney and the founder of Heitner Legal, P.L.L.C., a Fort Lauderdale-based law firm specializing in sports law, contract negotiations, intellectual property, and arbitration. He earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Florida Levin College of Law in 2010 and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, magna cum laude, from the University of Florida in 2007, where he was named Valedictorian of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Admitted to practice in the state bars of Florida, New York, and the District of Columbia, as well as multiple federal courts, Darren also serves as a certified arbitrator with the American Arbitration Association.

As an adjunct professor, Darren imparts his expertise through teaching Sports Law at the University of Florida Levin College of Law and Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) at the University of Miami School of Law in the Entertainment, Arts, and Sports Law LL.M. program. His scholarly contributions include authoring several books published by the American Bar Association, such as How to Play the Game: What Every Sports Attorney Needs to Know, and numerous articles in prominent publications like Forbes, Inc. Magazine, and Above the Law. His thought leadership in NIL has earned him recognition as one of the foremost experts by The Wall Street Journal, USA TODAY, and On3, and he has been lauded as a “power player in NIL deals” by Action Network and a “top sports trademark attorney” by Sportico.

Darren’s passion for sports law led him to establish Sports Agent Blog on December 31, 2005, initially titled “I Want To Be A Sports Agent.” The platform, created as a New Year’s resolution, has grown into a cornerstone of the sports agency community, offering in-depth analysis of industry trends, legal disputes, and agent-player dynamics. His commitment to the field is further evidenced by his representation of numerous athletes and sports agents, as well as his prior role as an Adjunct Professor at Indiana University Bloomington, where he developed and taught a course on Sport Agency Management from 2011 to 2014.

Darren’s contributions have been recognized with prestigious honors, including the University of Florida’s 40 Under 40 Award, the University of Florida Levin College of Law’s Outstanding Young Alumnus Award, and designation as the best lawyer in Fort Lauderdale by Fort Lauderdale Magazine. He remains an active voice in the sports law community, sharing insights through his weekly NIL newsletter and his X posts, engaging a broad audience on legal developments in sports.