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Is Matt Elam Going To Become A Trendsetter For Future NFL Rookies?

Baltimore Ravens safety Matt Elam (26) carries the ball during mini camp at Under Armour Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports
Baltimore Ravens safety Matt Elam (26) carries the ball during mini camp at Under Armour Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports
There is talk of future rookies representing themselves after Baltimore Ravens safety Matt Elam successfully negotiated his first NFL dral. Photo Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports

My FORBES article on Baltimore Ravens safety Matt Elam being the only top prospect to enter the 2013 NFL Draft without an agent seems to have been a hot read, with over 23,000 views.  Not only did it turn out that Elam was the only drafted player to not have an NFLPA certified Contract Advisor at the time that he was drafted, he also did what many thought was unthinkable — he negotiated his contract with the Ravens without the assistance of a Contract Advisor as well.

What many viewed to be a bold move by Elam may become a more general trend in the future.  Sure, Matt Elam is a rarity.  He has a brother who has played many years in the NFL and was able to provide the financial support that many NFL hopefuls find from established agents.  But more and more, the role of agents with regards to the negotiation of rookie contracts and the value of their offered pre-Draft services are being questioned.  This is especially true in a system where rookie deals are largely slotted.

Pat Kirwan of CBSSports.com says that you should not be surprised if 6-8 first round athletes are self-represented in the 2014 NFL Draft.  While I do believe that Elam’s experience may influence others to follow his business model in the future, I do not think that so many athletes will follow in Elam’s footsteps at such a rapid pace.  However, do not be shocked if more than 1 drafted player in 2014 decides to enter the NFL Draft without a certified Contract Advisor, and instead uses the assistance of an attorney or other qualified individual “behind the scenes.”

That said, an NFL player’s first contract is very different than his second deal (if he stays in the league to earn such a contract).  Thus, while the “Elam Plan” may become a growing trend among rookies, do not expect the same to be the case for players once they begin to think about the millions they can earn through the life of their second contracts.

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.