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Sports Law

Bad News Out Of Newport News

Many college football enthusiasts remember former Alabama wide-receiver, Tyrone Prothro, for the disgusting injury he suffered against the Gators (pictured right).  Jason Goggins has Prothro in his head permanently for a different reason.  Goggins used to be an NFLPA agent at Savage Sports Management, who’s home base is the same as Austin Walton’s hometown (Dynasty’s Director of Basketball Operations and Recruiting) – Newport News, VA.  Goggins is no longer listed on Savage’s website, because he was arrested in 2006 for recruiting Prothro while he was in the hospital trying to recover from his devastating injury.  There is no law against showing remorse.  There are laws against initiating contact with a student athlete (misdemeanor) and failing to register as an agent (felony).  In law, there is also a term known as respondeat superior, which basically makes an employer responsible for the actions of employees performed within the course of their employment.  Looks like that law may be taking down the leader of Savage Sports Management based on Goggins’ efforts back in 2006.

Raymond Lee Savage Jr., the CEO and President of Savage Sports Management was an All-American linebacker at the University of Virginia.  He has negotiated over 60 player contracts as a player agent.  He was arrested and taken into custody last Thursday.

In the end, all the money that you may receive by trying to circumvent the imposed rules is not worth it.  No one wants to be arrested or go to jail, and all of the money in the world cannot make you happy if you end up behind bars.  Universities and state authorities are cracking down and getting serious about prosecuting agents who violate NCAA rules and regulations.  This is most evident in southeastern states like Alabama and Arkansas.  Do yourselves and your clients a favor by adhering to the rules, keeping the playing field level, and resisting the urge to get a quick buck by jeopardizing others’ futures (NCAA athletes).

By Darren Heitner

Darren Heitner created Sports Agent Blog as a New Year's Resolution on December 31, 2005. Originally titled, "I Want To Be A Sports Agent," the website was founded with the intention of causing Heitner to learn more about the profession that he wanted to join, meet reputable individuals in the space and force himself to stay on top of the latest news and trends.

Heitner now runs Heitner Legal, P.L.L.C., which is a law firm with many practice areas, including sports law and contract law. Heitner has represented numerous athletes and sports agents as legal counsel. He has also served as an Adjunct Professor at Indiana University Bloomington from 2011-2014, where he created and taught a course titled, Sport Agency Management, which included subjects ranging from NCAA regulations to athlete agent certification and the rules governing the profession. Heitner serves as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Florida Levin College of Law, where he teaches a Sports Law class that includes case law surrounding athlete agents and the NCAA rules.

2 replies on “Bad News Out Of Newport News”

Why would anybody waste their time recruiting a player who legs as just been snapped in half?

– bobby

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