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NFL Player Suspensions For Taking Money/Benefits As Student-Athletes Not Under Consideration

Two days ago I reported on a new group comprised of influential people from the NFL, NFLPA, NCAA, government, agent community, universities, Collegiate Coaches Association, and American Football Coaches Association, which has been meeting to try to come up with some answers to the problem of sports agents providing money and other benefits to student-athletes.  I was excited to read on ESPN that the group discussed the possibility of post-NCAA financial penalties against college players who accept money or other benefits from agents, including suspensions of up to 8 games in length and financial penalties (fines).  Was the statement from ESPN was without merit?

The NCAA has released an update to its original statement titled, Joint effort to tackle football agent issues continues.

Update: Contrary to media reports attributed to unnamed sources, NFL player suspensions are not currently under consideration.  While each of the involved groups may have different constituencies, we are committed to working to identify solutions that all can support.

That does not mean that player suspensions were not discussed.  Instead, it means that even if they were talked about, suspensions are off the table as far as the NCAA is concerned.  In all likelihood, the NFL, NFLPA, and agents lobbied against seriously considering that idea.  Those are the three parties with the most to lose from the possibility of NFL player suspensions.

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.