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NFLPA Distributes “Fraud Alert” Memo To All Contract Advisors

Last night, the NFLPA sent a Fraud Alert memorandum to all of its certified Contract Advisors.  The memorandum, which was no more than a page in length, directed Contract Advisors to the attention of a man named Bill C. Crafton Jr. who also goes by “Billy Crafton.”  The NFLPA, in conjunction with law enforcement, is currently investigating multiple alleged investment fraud claims involving NFL players, and every such complaint has included Crafton (a financial advisor) and Matthew Jennings, who was Chief Executive Officer of a company that was shut down by the Securities and Exchange Commission for being engaged in “a Ponzi like investment fraud scheme.”  The NFLPA asks that if anyone has information relative to the matter, they contact tim.christine@nflplayers.com.

Based on this document on SunTrust Banks Inc.’s website, Crafton began career at at a company called CSI Capital Management, founded Martin Kelly Capital Management in 2006, and then ultimately joined SunTrust in 2010 (UPDATE: Crafton’s employment with SunTrust ended September 2010).  The article, written on January 8, 2010, states that most of Crafton’s client roster are professional baseball players, “including six that played in the 2009 Major League Baseball All-Star game.”  If the NFLPA thought it was worthwhile to send out a “Fraud Alert,” will the MLBPA follow suit?

NFLPA Fraud Alert 4-19-12

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.

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