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The NFLPA Has The Power To Take Action Against Agents Right Now

The NFLPA Regulations Governing Contract Advisors is a 54 page document that talks about everything from NFLPA Contract Advisor Certification to how to remain as an NFLPA Contract Advisor by adhering to the standard of conduct.

Section 6 of the Regulations is titled, Oversight and Compliance Procedure.  The committee in charge of agent regulation and discipline is called CARD.  The Committee is authorized to prosecute disciplinary procedures against Contract Advisors who violate the Regulations.  Robert Smith, a former running back for the Minnesota Vikings and current CARD member, recently said,

“I wish we could do more and move faster to get these morons out of there.  It has been a real hassle.”

But instead of wishing, perhaps Smith should read the entirety of Section 6 of the Regulations, specifically Section 6(B), which is titled, Complaint; Filing.  It is Smith and the rest of CARD that should be proactive, because disciplinary proceedings are initiated by the Committee upon filing of a written Complaint against a Contract Advisor.

And then there is the extraordinary circumstances clause.  It states that where CARD’s investigation discloses that the Contract Advisor’s conduct is of such a serious nature as to justify immediately revoking or suspending his Certification, CARD may immediately revoke or suspend his Certification with the filing of the Disciplinary Complaint or thereafter.  The Contract Advisor is then entitled to an expedited appeal of that action.

Will the NFLPA use this clause against Gary Wichard?  If Smith and others in CARD has credible information about Wichard or any other agent, will they use the power that they have to finally take some action against the unscrupulous agents?

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.

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