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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Put one tally in the win column for ex-NHL agent David Frost. He has just been acquitted in a case involving four sexual exploitation charges (reduced from the twelve I originally reported). He still has to deal with a fraud charge after using a former client’s credit card without permission (yeah…Mike Danton, the guy who tried to have Frost killed) and probably as a witness in the murder-for-hire plot orchestrated by Danton. Will the Phoenix Coyotes permit Frost near its players now? Frost may have gotten away from a conviction for sexual exploitation, but he still seems like a guy you may not want as a close friend. Some of his players from his coaching days had this to say about Mr. Frost:
One reply on “David Frost Cleared Of Sexual Exploitation Charges”
“The website, hockeygodonline.com, promotes Mr. Frost as hockey’s “number # 1 [sic] bad boy controversial figure.” In addition to a post by Mr. Frost praising new Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Brian Burke’s “tough” approach, it asks readers to submit a photo of a “Hockey Hottie” wearing a team jersey.” -globeandmail.com
If he once was, I don’t imagine Frost is NHLPA certified anymore. Frost represents one extreme example of a need to incorporate a Professional Agent Ethics course at the major Sports/Entertainment Law programs (Florida Coastal, Marquette, Southwestern). Even a standard Professional Responsibility/Legal Ethics course isn’t required at some law schools!