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NCAA Clears One AAU Coach Who Had Alleged Ties To Basketball Agent Andy Miller

Earlier this year, the NCAA banned three AAU teams from playing in NCAA-certified summer basketball events based on an NCAA finding that basketball agent Andy Miller of ASM Sports “implored” AAU team administrators to recruit future draft picks for his agency.  Another AAU team found to have ties to Andy Miller was the SEBL Elite All-stars (17U and 15U), but that club was permitted to continue play as long as it disassociated itself from its coach – Tony Edwards.  After further investigation, the NCAA has recently cleared Edwards based on “insufficient evidence available to establish a current association” between Edwards and Miller.

“Sometimes in these situations you have to let the NCAA do their jobs,” said SEBL founder and president Dwight Miller. “It seems like they’ve done a good job, come back and taken Tony’s name off and released him. The system we have built works, and I know Tony is relieved and his family, they’re relieved. It’s a great day for Tony and a great day for SEBL.”

Even though Edwards’ name has been cleared, the email sent by Andy Miller to AAU coaches remains a concern.  As a refresher, this is the text of the email that the NCAA got its hands on:

“I get tired of being the 1 guy that has to get the 1st rd [sic] picks every year. I’d be happy to help you get guys + lend support. You have to want it + have to hustle. To create situations to manifest chaos + plow down walls to open up new opp’s [sic]. We’re facing a summer with no revenue. Yet, everyone will expect their checks, expenses reimburse [sic], etc. I try to give a consistant [sic] platform inorder [sic] to facilitate production. Am I getting the level of production in return that I want or expect?…You decided to be apart [sic] of it on some level…Do more than just give it thought, act on it.”

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.