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On To The Next One: Greg Stiemsma

Apr 17, 2013; San Antonio, TX, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves center Greg Stiemsma (34) dunks as San Antonio Spurs forward Tim Duncan (21) looks on during the second half at the AT&T Center. The Timberwolves won 108-95. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 17, 2013; San Antonio, TX, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves center Greg Stiemsma (34) dunks as San Antonio Spurs forward Tim Duncan (21) looks on during the second half at the AT&T Center. The Timberwolves won 108-95. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
Minnesota Timberwolves center Greg Stiemsma is now represented by Priority Sports & Entertainment. Photo Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

Minnesota Timberwolves center Greg Stiemsma has done his fair share of traveling.  Since leaving the University of Wisconsin after playing four years at the school, Stiemsma was a nomad playing for a variety of teams abroad.  He played for a couple of teams in both Turkey and South Korea with some stints in the D-League mixed in between.  Eventually, he found a home with the Boston Celtics, but in August 2012 ventured off to play for the Timberwolves.

Stiemsma signed a 2-year, $5.27 million deal with the Timberwolves; however, his guaranteed salary for the 2013-14 season may be eliminated by the team if they choose to decline their option for the forthcoming season.  If the Timberwolves keep Stiemsma, he will be paid more than $2 million for the season.

Meanwhile, Stiemsma has picked up new representation.  He was formerly represented by Chicago, Illinois-based basketball agent Mike Naiditch.  He is now represented by Priority Sports & Entertainment.  Should the Timberwolves opt not to pick up their option on Stiemsma, Priority Sports will be responsible to find and negotiate his next deal and earn a commission therefrom.

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.