Fort Lauderdale Sports, IP & Entertainment Law Attorneys | Heitner Legal
Endorsement deals represent some of the most consequential contracts an athlete will ever sign, and they are also among the most misunderstood. The excitement of a brand partnership can cloud judgment at exactly the moment clear thinking is most needed. Whether you are a college athlete entering your first NIL deal or a professional preparing […]
The NCAA filed a federal lawsuit against DraftKings on March 20, 2026, seeking an emergency temporary restraining order to stop the sports betting giant from using MARCH MADNESS®, FINAL FOUR®, ELITE EIGHT®, and NCAA SWEET SIXTEEN® in connection with its wagering products, promotional campaigns, and marketing activities. The case, filed in the Southern District of […]
The NIL era didn’t just change how college and Olympic athletes earn money. It changed what they are. Overnight, athletes became brands. Their name, image, and likeness transformed from personal identity into intellectual property with real commercial value. And where there’s value, there’s risk. As NIL opportunities have expanded well beyond simple sponsorships into licensing […]
Heitner Legal, P.L.L.C. is pleased to announce a significant victory for our client, Christian Moss, a talented wide receiver who most recently played for the Kennesaw State University football team. The National Collegiate Athletic Association has granted Mr. Moss an extension of his eligibility, allowing him to compete in an additional season during the 2026-27 […]
In a significant victory for college athlete rights, the Seventh Judicial Circuit Court of Florida granted a temporary injunction against the NCAA, allowing Bethune-Cookman University basketball player Doctor Bradley to compete for the remainder of the 2025-26 season. The ruling, issued by Judge Dennis Craig, provides a scathing critique of the NCAA’s governance structure and […]
At Heitner Legal, we are committed to advocating for athletes who face unforeseen challenges that impact their collegiate careers. We are pleased to announce the successful securing of a medical hardship waiver for Gage Hensey, a talented men’s track and field athlete at the University of Oklahoma. This waiver restores an additional year of eligibility […]
At Heitner Legal, we are proud to announce a significant victory for our client, Caleb Van De Griend, a talented men’s basketball player at Idaho State University. On November 4, 2025, the District Court of Bannock County, Idaho, granted an ex parte temporary restraining order in our favor, enjoining the National Collegiate Athletic Association from […]
At Heitner Legal, P.L.L.C., we are thrilled to announce a significant win for our client, Aaron Turner, in a high-stakes arbitration proceeding under the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) Regulations Governing Player Agents. On September 10, 2025, Arbitrator Jeffrey Mishkin issued a Final Award in favor of Mr. Turner, granting him full entitlement to his […]
Former New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick’s recent foray into trademark applications has hit some significant roadblocks, providing a valuable case study in why proper trademark due diligence and experienced legal counsel are essential for successful brand protection. The Applications That Didn’t Make the Cut Belichick, through his company TCE Rights Management LLC, filed […]
In a stunning intersection of celebrity sports law and luxury real estate litigation, a Hawaii state court complaint filed on August 8, 2025, has thrust Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani and his agent Nez Balelo into a complex legal battle involving tortious interference and unjust enrichment claims. The case, filed in Hawaii’s First Circuit […]
In a fascinating intersection of intellectual property and sports law, Baylor University has filed a federal trademark infringement lawsuit against Boston University, challenging Boston’s use of an interlocking “BU” design that Baylor claims is “essentially identical” to its own federally registered trademark. Filed in the Western District of Texas on August 8, 2025, this case […]
The recent ruling in Jett Elad v. NCAA, decided on April 25, 2025, by U.S. District Judge Zahid N. Quraishi in the District of New Jersey, marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing legal battles over NCAA eligibility rules. This case, centered on the NCAA’s “Five-Year Rule” and its application to junior college (JUCO) time, […]