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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Congratulations to Dynasty‘s Football Division Director, Matthew Watkins. He received an envelope in the mail on August 14, 2008 notifying him that he had successfully passed the 2008 NFLPA certification exam. It was only two weeks ago that Watkins bitched about the trickiness of the exam on the Dynasty Newswire.
5 replies on “Congratulations To Matthew Watkins”
Congrats!
Daren – while congratulations undoubtedly go out to Matthew on passing his exam, I can’t help but wonder how, prior to his certification, you could justify naming him your agency’s “Football Division Director.” After all he was not even qualified to negotiate with NFL teams. So what exactly was he doing as your Football Director? Did he have any clients? And if not (which I suspect was the case) how was he qualified to hold this position with your firm. Any explanation would be appreciated.
-Stubs
Stubs-
I have no problem answering that question. I was justified in naming him the football division director with the full confidence that he would pass the exam. He was not qualified to negotiate with NFL teams prior to certification and did not have any clients. No rules we broken. We brought him in and basically educated him on everything there is to know about Dynasty including our mission, business plans, methods of conducting business, etc. Additionally, we began preparing a recruiting list that we will use for years to come. We knew he would pass, and he did just that. We cannot wait for what the future is to bring.
No clients.. No reputation.. How can he serve as an agent?
Back in the Day Drew Rosenhaus was able to do it.. But does he have any experience with NFL players? Does he know any? What can your firm offer him?
Do you have $ for marketing gurantees? Training? Rental Car? Food etc?
Are you going to be able to keep up with CAA, Octagon, Rosenhaus?
Where are you going to train your Athletes?You need to take all of this into consideration before hiring someone
I have worked for a major agency for many years prior to that I started off by myself and not 1 athlete would sign with me because..
1) I had no reputation and never have been negotiate an NFL contract
2) I didn’t know 1 GM or President of an NFL football team
Being an NFL agent is a tough gig, not as great as it looks on tv or in the movies..
Good luck..
Every division/agency/agent has to start somewhere. Matthew comes in with no clients, but many connections, and all of Dynasty’s other division clients behind him. We have an extensive external connections sheet which includes training, marketing, and other services. We will not be going after the same type of client as a CAA.
Thanks for the good luck wish.