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.
View Archive →
3 replies on “Endorsing Activist Athletes”
Sucks about the fantasy league. Next year we will do one.
Tiger’s Foundation and moreover, his school, are fairly ambitious undertakings. Especially if one believes what Tiger’s father had been saying for years, I think Tiger is destined to become more of an activist than even he may realize.
Via Alligator.org:
CRITICAL NOAH: Joakim Noah isn’t shying from his political views during Final Four weekend.
Noah chose again to use his notoriety and the media attention to exercise his First Amendment right.
He was critical of President Bush’s foreign policy Sunday, and Noah said he would use his fame to get his views across.
Like he did in a visit to the White House last April with the championship team, Noah questioned the president’s mindset.
“It was weird because I didn’t really agree with his views and what he stands for,” Noah said Sunday about the visit. “At the same time, I love this country and what it has to offer. And I’m not going to let one person change that. I wish people would do more traveling and be more critical of their own cultures.”
UF coach Billy Donovan said two weekends ago that he often discusses with Noah their opposing views.
Each is passionate about his beliefs, and they are willing to have civilized debates, he said.
“The one thing I always respect about him and his opinions is he doesn’t necessarily think his opinions are right,” Donovan said in New Orleans. “It’s just something he feels.”