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Catcher Wil Nieves Signs $800,000 Deal With The Diamondbacks

Sep. 28, 2012; Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher J.J. Putz is congratulated by catcher Wil Nieves (27) after defeating the Chicago Cubs 8-3. Credit: Jennifer Stewart-US PRESSWIRE
Sep. 28, 2012; Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher J.J. Putz is congratulated by catcher Wil Nieves (27) after defeating the Chicago Cubs 8-3. Credit: Jennifer Stewart-US PRESSWIRE

The Arizona Diamondbacks have re-signed Puerto Rican catcher and MDR Sports Management client Wil Nieves to a one-year, $800,000 contract.

“I would like to thank the Diamondbacks organization for placing their trust in me again,” said Nieves following the announcement of his new deal with the Diamondbacks.  “I am happy and confident that we have a great team and I will be available to help them in any form or role that is needed.”

Nieves signed with the Diamondbacks in August of 2012 as a free agent after catcher Henry Blanco suffered a season-ending injury.  His new contract represents his highest yearly salary since he entered the league in 2005.  He has played for the Yankees, San Diego Padres Washington Nationals, Milwaukee Brewers, Colorado Rockies and the Diamondbacks.

“The Diamondbacks is a great fit for Wil and I have no doubt that he will be ready to give 100% for the team again,” said his agent Melvin Roman, president and CEO of MDR Sports Management.

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.