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First Annual Nova Southeastern University Sports Law Symposium: “The Growth of the Florida Sports Market”

Guest contribution by: Jesse Feldman, Sports and Entertainment Law Society Executive Board Member

Jason RosenhausThe first annual Nova Southeastern University Sports Law Symposium has come and gone and we have been hearing nothing but rave reviews from members of the Entertainment, Arts and Sports Law section of the Florida Bar (our partner in this CLE event), faculty and students. Our keynote speaker and recipient of our Excellence in Sports Award, Jason Rosenhaus, spoke of his law school experience and of how he and his brother (Drew Rosenhaus) were able to become what they are today. The best piece of advice he had for the attendees was to always put yourself into a position where opportunities will come to you. He emphasized networking, learning the current events in the industry, and never turning down a meeting or a dinner date because it may lead you to a potential client.

The first panel was truly a treat (The Growth of the Florida Sports Market). Attorney Alan Fertel spoke about why the fan base in South Florida is so fickle, explaining that Miami is a “big event” town. He then went on to list off events such as the Sony Ericsson Tennis Tournament, local playoff games and the various golf tournaments that manage to draw large crowds each year. Dave Hyde of the Sun-Sentinel explained that contrary to popular belief, reporters can’t stand covering losing teams and that good news actually sells better than bad news when it comes to sports (so much for if it bleeds, it leads). He also went on to tell the nearly 70 attendees that when anything new is introduced in the South Florida sports market, the first thing people want to do is tell you why it won’t work. Alan Fertel finished off the panel with this little nugget of advice: as an attorney in South Florida you won’t be able to survive off of just practicing sports and entertainment law, you’ll starve. He suggested that each student graduate just practice law, hone their skills, learn and embrace the law. However, he said that if you’ve been out practicing and a great opportunity presents itself, take it and run with it.

I could go into so much more detail regarding our intellectual property panel (Professional and Collegiate Sports Licensing), our ethics panel dealing with Ultimate Fighting Championship and its place in Florida, or our panel regarding what other money-making options there are if your client fails to be a top pick in their draft….but I won’t. I will say that the real fun came when the last panel of the day ended and our cocktail reception began; there truly is nothing better than rubbing elbows with industry attorneys and executives, former and current athletes, sports reporters, industry physicians and, of course, students from across the state. Make sure you don’t miss out on next year’s event!

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.

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