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On To The Next One: Keenan Allen

San Diego Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen (13) runs with the ball past Washington Redskins free safety David Amerson (39) attempts to make a tackle during the game at FedEx Field. The Redskins defeated the Chargers 30-24. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
San Diego Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen (13) runs with the ball past Washington Redskins free safety David Amerson (39) attempts to make a tackle during the game at FedEx Field. The Redskins defeated the Chargers 30-24. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
San Diego Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen (13) runs past Washington Redskins free safety David Amerson (39). Photo Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

The San Diego Chargers used their third round pick in the 2013 NFL Draft on California wide receiver Keenan Allen, who at the time was represented by NFLPA Contract Advisor JT Johnson.  Johnson and his company Atlas Sports Agency had also signed Tennessee wide receiver Justin Hunter, California quarterback Zach Maynard and NC State cornerback David Amerson prior to the NFL Draft, which led Sports Agent Blog to name JT Johnson 2013’s football agent to watch.  However, since that article’s publication, Johnson has had his fair share of disappointments.

The most recent NFL-related issue for Johnson is the loss of Allen to football agency Athletes First.  Allen, who has amassed 497 yards on 31 receptions and 3 touchdowns, will be represented by Contract Advisor David Dunn.  It is a big grab for Athletes First, who will now manage the career of one of the most promising rookie wide receivers in the league.

Earlier this year, Johnson also lost wide receiver Justin Hunter, who was drafted in the second round by the Tennessee Titans.  Hunter left Johnson to be represented by Ben Dogra and Jimmy Sexton of Creative Artists Agency.

Today, Johnson’s one remaining NFL client is David Amerson, who also is putting together a solid rookie campaign.  The Washington Redskins cornerback selected in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft has 2 interceptions and a touchdown, along with 4 pass deflections.  Interestingly, Amerson was matched up against Keenan Allen for much of the game that the Redskins just completed against the Chargers.

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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