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Book Review: The Agent By Leigh Steinberg

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The following article is a guest contribution from Alan Wilmot, a law clerk at Wolfe Law Miami and 2L at the University of Miami School of Law.

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Leigh Steinberg shares his personal stories on the rise, fall, and redemption of his game-changing career in the high-stakes world of professional sports.

Leigh Steinberg’s “The Agent: My 40-Year Career Making Deals and Changing the Game” is much more than a book about being a sports agent; it is a book about how a person aspiring to affect the world in a positive manner developed the character and integrity to embark and accomplish such a mission. “The Agent” walks readers through the many triumphs and tribulations of Leigh Steinberg’s career. Starting with his upbringing and traveling through his time at UCLA and UC Berkeley, Leigh Steinberg explains the moral values that enabled him to develop the tools to become one of, if not, the greatest sports agent of all time.

At a young age, Leigh Steinberg had a passion to change the world for the better. This desire, adopted from his father, set up the foundation for how Steinberg carried himself throughout his long, established career. “The Agent” describes how Steinberg embarked on setting up many charities with the clients he represented over the years. However, that is only the tipping point of the many great things Steinberg went on to accomplish. From negotiating a plethora of record-setting deals, to conducting symposiums on the dangers of concussions for his clients, to being an advisor on Jerry Maguire and Any Given Sunday, Steinberg affected many aspects of the sports and entertainment industry. “The Agent” also goes on describe the future projects that Steinberg has set out to achieve in the upcoming years, such as the development of a new sports and entertainment company, and his goal to reduce carbon emissions and energy costs in sports stadiums, just to name a few.

“The Agent” is filled with insight about Steinberg’s views regarding the state of not only professional football, but college football as well. For any aspiring agent, or even those just interested in learning about the field, Leigh Steinberg’s vision and vast knowledge is one that many should study. Leigh Steinberg was not only the most successful sports agent of the modern-era, he was also a pioneer, constantly looking for ways to better the sport for his clients and the fans; this is highlighted through the many stories Steinberg descriptively informs the reader about. For any young, hopeful sports agents, “The Agent” provides the blueprint for how to properly conduct an agency while still maintaining your integrity in the cutthroat world of being a sports agent. For the sports fan, this book also serves a history of the game, proving behind the scenes knowledge of the wheeling and dealing of a prominent sports agent and the many other aspects of sports that Steinberg was able to assert his influence upon. “The Agent” is a highly recommended and enjoyable read for all lovers of sports, especially those seeking to leave a positive impact for the future of the game.

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.