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Endorsements NFL Players

One Hell Of A Cowboy

Tony Romo Getting Some RespectRecently, there was a debate on this site concerning whether Tony Romo was overpaid, underpaid, or paid a proper amount to play for the Dallas Cowboys for the next six years [The Wash Up 4th November-11th November 2007]. Six years, $67.5 million (not all guaranteed)…it looks good for both sides of the deal. But that $67.5 million may be pennies compared to what Romo may receive in endorsements in the next six years.

Romo has the top selling NFL jersey this year. He also has been in a SportsCenter commercial and spots for Diet Pepsi Max and AT&T. Jessica Simpson and Carrie Underwood have found Romo charming as well.

Could Romo be America’s new All-American poster boy? Tom Brady wants none of that statement. But Romo may be a close second, as the starting quarterback for “America’s team”. As MSNBC reports, according to the Davie Brown Index, which determines a celebrity’s ability to influence brand affinity and consumer purchases…[Romo] scores on the same level [as] Shaquille O’Neal, Roger Clemens, Jay Leno and Jerry Seinfeld [Romo’s star is rising in advertising world]. He has acquired this status in a fraction of the time that it took the top tier personalities listed above.

Talk about a sports agent’s dream. Romo was undrafted out of Eastern Illinois and was looked at as a perennial backup in the NFL. The guy keeps a cool demeanor and does not make the headlines for making it rain. CAA should keep on smiling.

-Darren Heitner

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.