OVERVIEW
Darren Adam Heitner is the Founder and Managing Partner of Heitner Legal, P.L.L.C., a premier boutique law firm established in 2014 specializing in sports law, intellectual property, and entertainment law. Widely recognized as one of the nation’s foremost authorities on Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) rights, Mr. Heitner has been instrumental in shaping the legal landscape surrounding collegiate athletics and professional sports representation.
Described by The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, On3 and other publications as one of the foremost experts on name, image, and likeness and as the go-to expert on NIL deals, Mr. Heitner brings unparalleled expertise and advocacy to his diverse clientele of professional athletes, sports agencies, brands, and entertainment professionals.
EDUCATION
- Juris Doctor, University of Florida Levin College of Law (2010)
- Bachelor of Arts, Political Science, magna cum laude, University of Florida (2007)
- Valedictorian, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
ACADEMIC APPOINTMENTS
- Adjunct Professor of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL), University of Miami School of Law
- Adjunct Professor of Sports Law, University of Florida Levin College of Law
PROFESSIONAL ADMISSIONS & CERTIFICATIONS
Mr. Heitner is admitted to practice in multiple jurisdictions:
- State Bars: Florida, New York, District of Columbia
- Federal Courts:
- U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida
- U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida
- U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York
- U.S. District Court for the District of New Mexico
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
- U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas
- U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas
- Certified Arbitrator, American Arbitration Association
AREAS OF PRACTICE
- Sports Law & NIL Rights
- Intellectual Property (Trademarks, Copyright)
- Contract Negotiation & Drafting
- Business Formation & Transactions
- Entertainment Law
- Media Rights
- Alternative Dispute Resolution
- Litigation
LANDMARK ACHIEVEMENTS
Legislative Impact
In 2019, Mr. Heitner was personally selected by Florida Representative Chip LaMarca to draft and champion groundbreaking legislation that would forever change collegiate athletics. The resulting Florida bill providing college athletes with the right to profit from their name, image, and likeness was signed into law by Governor Ron DeSantis in June 2020, making Florida the first state to establish a July 1, 2021 effective date. This pioneering legislation served as the catalyst for nationwide reform in collegiate athletics compensation rights.
In 2024, U.S. Senator Ted Cruz invited Mr. Heitner to participate in a prestigious NIL Roundtable discussion on Capitol Hill, further cementing his status as a leading voice in this evolving area of law.
Representative Clients
Mr. Heitner has represented an elite roster of athletes and sports personalities including:
- Pro Football Hall of Famer Terrell Owens
- Heisman Trophy Winner Johnny Manziel
- University of Florida Athletic Hall of Famer Fred Taylor
- 6-Time Pro Bowler Randy Moss
- NFL Stars Antonio Brown, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Tyreek Hill, Xavien Howard, Jamal Adams, Nick Chubb, Mac Jones, Anthony Richardson, Chris Olave, C.J. Stroud, Davon Godchaux, D.J. Moore, Evan McPherson, Gervon Dexter, Jadeveon Clowney, Jalen Carter, Jalen Hurts, Jakobi Meyer, Mekhi Becton, Micah Parsons, Terry McLaurin, Zaire Franklin
- MLB Stars Shane Bieber, Manny Ramirez, Ervin Santana, Jose Bautista, Luis Castillo, Marcus Stroman, Pablo Sandoval, Rafael Furcal, Trevor Bauer
- Tennis Star Anna Kournikova
- NBA Stars Draymond Green, Terry Rozier, Austin Rivers, Bismack Biyombo, Darius Garland, Dwight Howard, Juwan Howard, Luol Deng, Max Strus, Tyrese Maxey
- NHL Stars Chris Pronger, Mark Recchi, Sergei Bobrovsky
- NIL Pioneers Haley and Hanna Cavinder, Angel Reese, Bryce Underwood, Jackson Cantwell, Kiyan Anthony, Liv Hovde, Nate Ament, Quinshon Judkins
- Coaching Legend Rick Pitino
- Broadcasting Legend Bill Raftery
- Bowling Legend Jason Belmonte
- Poker Star Jason Mercier
- MMA Stars Jon “Bones” Jones, Paige VanZant
- Pickleball Star Quang Duong
Corporate Representation
Mr. Heitner has provided counsel to major brands in the sports space, including:
- Gatorade
- Rosenhaus Sports Representation
- LIFT Sports Management
- Verus Sports
- GSE Worldwise
- Republik Sports
- Young Money APAA Sports
- JTM Sports
- Leverage Agency
- Everett Sports Marketing
- First Round Management
- Buffalo Wild Wings
- Sure Sports
- Canes Connection
- Sportsmanias
- Flat Top Fund
- INFLCR
- Icon Source
- Evlution Nutrition
- D.C. Pickleball Team
PUBLICATIONS & THOUGHT LEADERSHIP
Mr. Heitner is a prolific author and respected voice in legal and sports business publications:
Books
- “How to Play the Game: What Every Sports Attorney Needs to Know” (American Bar Association) – 3 editions (2014, 2018, 2021)
- “An Athelte’s Guide to Agents: Fifth Edition (Jones & Bartlett) – contributing author.
Digital Media
- Founder, Sports Agent Blog (established 2005) – Recognized as the leading publication for sports agency news, interviews, and commentary for nearly two decades
- Former contributor for Forbes, Inc. Magazine, Above the Law, and Outkick.
Law Review Articles
- Rethinking Regulation: The Case for a New Agency to Regulate Sport (Harvard Law School Journal of Sports & Entertainment Law, August 2020).What if Kaepernick is Correct?: A Look at the Collusion Criteria in Professional Sport (Harvard Law School Journal of Sports & Entertainment Law, June 2018).
- Why Fantasy Sports Should Welcome Uniformity of the Law: A Suggestion that the Uniform Law Commission Become Involved in Shaping Laws Concerning Fantasy Sports (DePaul Law Review, 2016).
- Personal Foul: Conduct Detrimental to the Team. Penalty Declined? (Harvard Law School Journal of Sports & Entertainment Law, November 2014).
- Score a Touchdown, Kiss Your Tattoo, and Get Sued for Copyright Infringement? (Jeffrey S. Moorad Sports Law Journal (Villanova), 2014).
- Jay Z Has 99 Problems, and Being a Sports Agent May Be One (Marquette Sports Law Review, December 2013).
- Pain in the Head: The Official Helmet Company of the NFL’s Potential Liability in the Concussion Lawsuits (DePaul Journal of Sports Law & Contemporary Problems, March 2013).
- An Offer They Should Refuse: Why Conflicts of Interest Raised by Dual Representation among Player Agents is a Major Threat to the NCAA and Professional Leagues (Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University Sports and Entertainment Law Journal, February 2013).
- Made for Each Other: Social Media and Litigation (New York State Bar Association Journal, December 2012).
- Football v. Football: A Comparison of Agent Regulation in France’s Ligue 1 and the National Football League (Pace Intellectual Property Sports & Entertainment Law Forum, April 2012).
- Money and Sports: Economic Realities of Being An Athlete (DePaul Journal of Sports Law & Contemporary Problems, March 2012).
- You May Not “Like” This Title: Everything Stored On Facebook Is Discoverable (NYU IP and Entertainment Law Ledger, April 2011).
- In Baseball’s Best Interest?: A Discussion of the October 2010 MLBPA Regulations Governing Player Agents (Virginia Sports & Entertainment Law Journal, April 2011).
- Have Some Standards: How The Sports Agent Profession Should Be Effectively Regulated (New York State Bar Association Entertainment, Arts & Sports Law Journal, October 2010).
- The Plight of PASPA: It’s Time to Pull the Plug on the Prohibition (Gaming Law Review and Economics, May 2010).
- Duties of Sports Agents to Athletes and Statutory Regulation Thereof (Dartmouth Law Journal, February 2010).
HONORS & RECOGNITIONS
- University of Florida’s 40 Under 40 Award
- University of Florida Levin College of Law’s Outstanding Young Alumnus Award
- Named “Best Lawyer in Fort Lauderdale” by Fort Lauderdale Magazine
- Recognized as a “Power Player in NIL Deals” by Action Network
- Named a “Top Sports Trademark Attorney” by Sportico
FIRM RECOGNITION
In 2023, Heitner Legal achieved the distinctive honor of being the only law firm named to Sports Business Journal’s inaugural list of NIL Power Players.
MEDIA APPEARANCES
EXPERT WITNESS
Mr. Heitner has previously testified as an expert witness in the following matters:
- NCAA rules;
- Athlete agent laws;
- An athlete’s expectation of earnings; and
- Whether a coach was employable and a reasonable expectation of his future earning capacity.
For speaking inquiries, please email.
Connect with Darren Heitner: