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On To The Next One: Rory McIlroy

Rory McIlroy

In the past few months, the sports media (particularly those people focusing on golf) have been fawning over golf agent Andrew ‘Chubby’ Chandler.  The Managing Director of International Sports Management (ISM) represents Darren Clarke, Charl Schwartzel, Louis Oosthuizen, Lee Westwood, and used to represent U.S. Open champion Rory McIlroy.  The loss of McIlroy is particularly tough for Chandler considering the fact that Ernie Els also recently decided to part ways with ISM.

Last week, McIlroy parted ways with Chandler and ISM, choosing to sign with Conor Ridge of Horizon Sports Management.  Chandler had been representing McIlroy for roughly four years prior to the split.  Ridge mortgaged his home six years ago in order to find the capital to start Horizon Sports, located in Dublin, Ireland.  Now he and his company represent one of the hottest names in the game of golf.

Why did McIlroy leave Chandler?  Some believe that McIlroy’s strong relationship with Horizon client Graeme McDowell influenced McIlroy’s change.  McDowell was also represented by Chandler prior to linking up with Ridge of Horizon.  Others think that McIlroy’s girlfriend, tennis player Caroline Wozniacki, had something to do with the switch.

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.