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Gary Wichard’s History With The NFLPA’s CARD

Last week, I noted that the NFLPA has the power to take action against agents right now.  Using Section 6(B) of the NFLPA Regulations Governing Contract Advisors, CARD (the Committee on Agent Regulations and Discipline) could use the extraordinary circumstances clause to immediately revoke or suspend an agent’s NFLPA certification.

In last week’s post, I wondered aloud whether the NFLPA might use the clause against Gary Wichard.  While the players’ association would need some credible information before invoking the serious measure, the union may have some motivation to use the clause based on past action against Wichard.

On October 20, 2004, Wichard was handed the following Disciplinary Complaint:

Wichard was held strictly liable for allowing his password for access to confidential salary information to be obtained by a third party in violation of the stated policies of the NFLPA. As a result, third party was able to obtain confidential salary information from the NFLPA’s website on more than 40 occasions.  The Committee on Agent Regulation and Discipline issued a letter of reprimand and fined Wichard in the amount of $2,500 to be paid into the Players Assistance Trust (PAT).

Wichard’s action and the ensuing discipline are nothing compared to the current allegations and potential discipline, but at least Wichard is not an unknown to CARD’s disciplinary process.

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.