Notice: Function _load_textdomain_just_in_time was called incorrectly. Translation loading for the google-document-embedder domain was triggered too early. This is usually an indicator for some code in the plugin or theme running too early. Translations should be loaded at the init action or later. Please see Debugging in WordPress for more information. (This message was added in version 6.7.0.) in /var/www/wp-includes/functions.php on line 6114
David Falk’s Interview With SLAM Magazine – SPORTS AGENT BLOG
Categories
Headline NBA Players Sports Agents

David Falk’s Interview With SLAM Magazine

Last week, Nima Zarrabi of SLAM Magazine published a question and answer session he had with David Falk when he bumped into the well known basketball agent at Evan Turner‘s first commercial shoot as a professional basketball player.  It was an unexpected meeting, but Zarrabi was able to ask Falk quite a few questions.  Zarrabi broke up the Q&A into two parts (Part I and Part II).  Part I focused on LeBron James and The Decision, the NBA’s collective bargaining agreement, and William “Worldwide” Wesley.  Part II consisted of a lot of talk about shoe deals, Falk’s vision for his Sport Management program at Syracuse, and

Here is a summary of what transpired:

  • Falk believes that LeBron took a quick hit on his brand equity.  After watching LeBron’s new Nike spot, I have to think that his brand is already in the rebuilding stage.
  • Falk doesn’t think that a basketball player should announce something before it actually happens.  He calls it “a little too modern, a little too social media.”  He would have preferred that LeBron signed with Miami and then had his big press conference about his decision.
  • On Worldwide Wes: “early on in his career had a lot more influence than people gave him credit for and now probably doesn’t have as much influence as people give him credit for.”
  • Falk really does not like the limitations placed on max contracts.  He thinks it limits what the best players deserve and allows much less talented players to earn more than they are worth.
  • Falk does not seem to be a big fan of Isiah Thomas or the fact that the current union is not involving agents much in collective bargaining negotiations.
  • Falk’s client Evan Turner is the highest draft pick to ever sign with a Chinese shoe company.
  • Falk’s first big shoe deal was with New Balance for James Worthy back in 1982.
  • Falk thinks players should stay in school longer.
  • He has no desire to grow a big agency, and calls his operation an “ultra-boutique.”

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.