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On To The Next One: Alan Branch

Seattle Seahawks defensive tackle Alan Branch (99) celebrates pressuring Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III (10) during the second half of the NFC Wild Card playoff game at FedEx Field. Credit: Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports
Seattle Seahawks defensive tackle Alan Branch (99) celebrates pressuring Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III (10) during the second half of the NFC Wild Card playoff game at FedEx Field. Credit: Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports
Seattle Seahawks defensive tackle Alan Branch (99) celebrates pressuring Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III (10) during the second half of the NFC Wild Card playoff game at FedEx Field. Credit: Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports

Former Michigan Wolverines, Arizona Cardinals and Seattle Seahawks defensive tackle, Alan Branch, remains a free agent.  But he has signed a new agent, leaving juggernaut Creative Artists Agency (CAA) for Blake Baratz of The Institute For Athletes.

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Branch was selected by the Cardinals in the second round (pick #33 overall) in the 2007 NFL Draft.  He played the last two seasons for the Seahawks under a contract that paid him $7 million for his services.  That Seahawks defense was known around the league for being one of the strongest and stingiest, and Branch never had his starting spot threatened.  Baratz should be able to find a new home for Branch rather expeditiously.

Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com believes that Branch may sign with the Jacksonville Jaguars and that Baratz gained some clout when the Green Bay Packers recently chose to retain Baratz’s tight-end client, Jermichael Finley.

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.