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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15 replies on “Next On The Agenda: B.J. Upton”
Thanks for the arbitration-related posts. This is exactly what I think this site should do more of (like the “let’s make a deal” concept) – while I know Dynasty Reps prides itself on marketing, social media (in addition to personal attention, etc.), I think that the agent’s main role is to negotiate player contracts (see the trend with football players hire a separate agency for marketing purposes). How skilled are you (or personnel at Dynasty) as arbitration/salary negotiations? With Parise, I really want to see that guy make the Major Leauge squad this year, but when will he make money? Won’t it be six years of service until he is a free agent? Can an agent charge during arbitration years (after 3 years of Parise making close to the minimum, right)? How much does a middle reliever make in arbitration years? With Tampa Bay, I read that they didn’t think the $300,000 gap was enough of an incentive for the parties to pay their attorneys but they have a strict policy that if they file and exchange numbers with the player, they always go to a hearing. As an agent, do you have access to all of the contract information for MLB players? Thanks and keep up the great work.
I was at the top of my class in Negotiations & Mediation at UF Law. We are also well connected to many experts (including leading statisticians) who are hired to prepare for arbitration. We have not yet been a part of an MLB arbitration, but neither is any other agent when he first starts out. I am fully confident that when/if I ever do have an arbitration hearing for one of my clients, I will diligently represent him.
I also want to see Parise make the MLB squad. He will make money immediately, but yes, 6 years before a free agent with many years of possible arbitration. There is no reason that an agent would not be able to charge during arbitration years. We cannot take commission if he is at the minimum, however.
I read the same thing about Tampa Bay’s strict policy. A great source for contract information is: http://mlbcontracts.blogspot.com/
B.J. Upton lost his case. The Rays will pay Upton $3 million instead of his requested $3.3 million.
Thanks, DH! Great insights and that website is helpful for me to try to learn about this stuff. I have confidence you have and will continue to do a great job for your clients. Keep up the great work. After you graduate, will you be focusing full-time on running Dynasty? Any chance you’ll get your first NBA or NFL draft pick this year?
Focusing full-time on Dynasty is the plan. I think we are closer to getting our first NBA pick than our first NFL pick, but I think we still may be a year off from an NBA pick. Expect quite a few MLB picks, though.
Hey Darren, which players do you have signed for the NFL draft or is it too early to ask?
Truthfully, I am focusing on the players we already represent. I have put recruiting for football entirely in the hands of my Football Division director.
Thanks for the response. By the way I was going through spring training rosters and saw your client Atahualpa Severino was added to the 40 man roster for the nationals I wanted to say congradulations. I am still trying to learn more about baseball and if I remember he finished the season at AA, so can he realistically make it to the MLB like parise this year or does he still have another year or so? Thanks and congrads once again!
Severino is no longer a client.
Oh ok sorry to hear that. How common is client stealing in the agent business? Is this your first client that you lost? Makes me not want to be an agent anymore lol
Client stealing is very common. 2nd client we have lost, but the 1st client has recently called and seems to want to take us back. We were told that Severino left because he was offered a cell phone and his brother was offered a job. If that’s what it takes, then good riddance!
wow LOL @ a cell phone. The joke is on the agent who offered a cell phone, because if this athlete is willing to accept this type of small bribe as a minor leaguer, he will most likely be taking the bigger bribes from other agents if he ever gets called to the big show. Sometimes its better to cut your losses and stay away from these slimeball type clients!
I agree with your statements. Better I find out the type of guy he is now instead of right before I’d be in position to negotiate a big contract on his behalf.
Wouldn’t getting a client a cell phone to make him happy and getting you certified as an agent be worth it???
1) He never expressed his desire for me to purchase him a cell phone, and 2) No, it would not be worth it. If a player is willing to leave an agent over a cell phone, I don’t want him. I want clients that want someone who can represent them in contractual negotiations, not someone who will buy them toys.