On this episode of the How to Play the Game Podcast, Darren Heitner is joined by NFL agent David Canter, who just recently sold his sports agency to acquirer GSE Worldwide.Topics include: (1) When David got his start in the sports agency world

Recapping the 1st month of NIL with Chase Garrett and Drew Butler of Icon Source

Jul 29th, 2021 32m 47s

Chase Garrett and Drew Butler joined the How to Play the Game Podcast to break down the first month of name, image, and likeness (NIL) rights for college athletes and highlight how their company, Icon Source, has played a role in the explosion

Devils and Sixers CEO Scott O'Neil on writing a book to inspire the next generation of leaders

Jun 3rd, 2021 27m 12s

Scott O'Neil, CEO of Harris Blitzer Sports and Entertainment, takes a break from celebrating the Philadelphia 76ers cruising into the 2nd round of the NBA Playoffs to discuss the release of a brand new book called, BE WHERE YOUR FEET ARE. The c

More funds flow into the fantasy sports industry with $10 million raised by startup Jock MKT

May 26th, 2021 19m 31s

In this latest episode of the How to Play the Game podcast, host Darren Heitner (@DarrenHeitner) is joined by Jock MKT co-founder Dave Isman (@DaveIsman). They discuss Jock MKT's differentiation from other types of more traditional fantasy spor

1st MLB Player goes to bat with NFTs - Mets pitcher Taijuan Walker discusses.

Mar 23rd, 2021 13m 13s

On the latest episode of the How to Play the Game podcast, I spoke with New York Mets starting pitcher Taijuan Walker about his own experience dabbling in the world of NFT auctions. Walker very recently completed a five-day auction of a one-of-

Why Panini America is betting on the blockchain and doesn't believe there is a trading cards bubble.

Mar 12th, 2021 31m 4s

In this latest edition of How to Play the Game podcast, Darren Heitner interviews Jason Howarth, vice president at Panini America. They discuss Panini America's commitment to digital trading cards and building on the blockchain, how he views th

Casey Schwab's Fighting for the Right to Educate Athletic Departments on NIL

Mar 11th, 2021 24m 37s

Former National Football League vice president Casey Schwab left the union in 2020 to create Altius Sports Partners. Since then, his company has signed LSU, Texas, and the University of South Carolina to assist the schools with preparations for

Going to bat with the Founder of Big League Advance, which is making big money on Fernando Tatis, Jr.

Mar 8th, 2021 28m 43s

When Fernando Tatis Jr. signed a 14-year, $340 million deal with the San Diego Padres, he was happy, his family was happy, his agents were happy, and so was a guy named Michael Schwimer. He is the founder of Big League Advance, which gave Tatis

SINC Conference Discussion on COVID-19, Breaking into Sports Law, a Hot Sports Law Issue, and NIL

Feb 26th, 2021 6m 44s

Today’s episode is my participation on a recent Sports Law and Negotiations Panel at the Sports Industry Networking & Career (SINC) Conference. I discussed how COVID-19 has affected my practice and Sports Law in general; my biggest piece of adv

Nothing But Net Profits? | A discussion on NBA Top Shot, NFTs, and digital art assets

Feb 24th, 2021 31m 43s

What is NBA Top Shot? What are NFTs (non-fungible tokens)? What is digital art? All of these questions and more are answered by guest Justin Herzig, owner of $400,000 worth of Top Shots and co-founder of the Own The Moment podcast. Justin answe

Name, Image, and Likeness Discussion with SB 206 California Community College NIL Working Group.

Dec 1st, 2020 35m 25s

On November 12, Darren Heitner was asked to provide the California SB 206 Working Group with a presentation on the topic of economic implications associated with name, image, and likeness (NIL) compensation for college athletes and the impact o

Why Location Matters for Success | Interview on Building This Community

Nov 24th, 2020 51m 12s

I recently did an interview with the Building This Community podcast to touch upon my transition from agent to attorney, the advice I'd give people looking to break into the Sports Law industry, how I run my law firm unlike traditional law firm

Sunday Morning Sports Biz: Is Gordon Hayward's $120 million contract truly guaranteed?

Nov 22nd, 2020 7m 22s

I referenced the 44 NBA players who have signed free agent deals for more than $1.1 billion and looked into whether their deals are truly, completely guaranteed as many claim the contracts to be for the players. While the contracts are certainl

The Future of College Sports: Florida’s Role in Reform | With Chip LaMarca and Blake James

Nov 18th, 2020 52m 32s

Darren Heitner, Florida Representative Chip LaMarca, and University of Miami athletics director Blake James discuss many issues surrounding college athletes' publicity rights. The topics included: The inspiration for Florida's name, image, and

Can the federal government or the NCAA be trusted with NIL? | Discussion with Michael McCann

Nov 17th, 2020 11m 24s

Darren Heitner and Professor Michael McCann, who also writes at Sportico, do a deep dive on name, image, and likeness (NIL) issues. The conversation specifically focuses on whether the federal government or the NCAA should be trusted to put som

Sunday Morning Sports Biz: Speaking with Mark Burns about breaking into the biz of sports

Nov 15th, 2020 19m 32s

I chatted with Sports Business Journal writer and Forbes 30 under 30 winner, Mark Burns, about his provocative tweet concerning breaking into the business of sports. We discussed his path to where he is today, at the age of 31-years-old, and th

My path to becoming a Sports Lawyer + advice for how to break in

Nov 13th, 2020 23m 36s

There is hardly a day that I don't have a student reach out to either interview me as a class assignment or otherwise ask me about my past and how I got to where I am today as a lawyer with a niche in Sports Law. I asked a University of Miami s

Background on the creation and development of Florida's college athlete NIL law.

Nov 13th, 2020 4m

Darren Heitner discusses how he became part of the effort for Florida to pass the most envelope-pushing college athlete name, image, and likeness (NIL) legislation and the process of changes being made to the bill prior to its ultimate passing,

Comparing Florida's athlete name, image and likeness law with other states and federal efforts.

Nov 12th, 2020 3m 50s

Darren Heitner discusses the 5 states that have passed legislation, as of November 2020, allowing college athletes to begin monetizing their names, images, and likenesses (NIL). The discussion includes aspects of Nebraska's law and New Jersey's

Breaking down the Student Athlete Level Playing Field Act

Sep 24th, 2020 18m 10s

Representatives Gonzalez (R-OH) and Cleaver (D-MO) have proposed a new piece of legislation to prohibit the NCAA and universities from restricting college athletes from participating in intercollegiate athletics because such athletes enter into

Nebraska Pushes The Name, Image, Likeness Envelope

Aug 27th, 2020 11m 5s

Nebraska actually has the most envelope-pushing name, image and likeness law for college athletes. The law, signed by Governor Rickets, allows any postsecondary institution to allow college athletes to enjoy these rights as soon as TODAY. "The

Former baseball agent Dennis Gilbert tells players to take the owners' deal and get back to playing in 2020.

Jun 8th, 2020 12m 51s

In this episode of the How to Play the Game Podcast, Darren Heitner engages in a short discussion with Dennis Gilbert, an extremely successful former baseball agent who negotiated many professional sports contracts including the oft referred to

Reggie Bush warns us that paying college athletes will destroy some people.

May 25th, 2020 11m 37s

I react to hearing that Reggie Bush, the former University of Southern California running back who accepted impermissible cash under the table when he was a college athlete, told Playboy that paying college athletes will destroy some people. I

Behind-the-scenes war of words surrounding DeAndre Baker and Quinton Dunbar.

May 22nd, 2020 26m 25s

NFL players DeAndre Baker and Quinton Dunbar find themselves defending against serious criminal charges and potential NFL suspensions. Yet, taking center stage this week is a public battle between their lawyers. Attorney Daniel Lust joins the p

"32 years in the NFL agent biz" -- Drew Rosenhaus on Shula, COVID-19, NIL rights and more.

May 18th, 2020 21m 55s

Drew Rosenhaus, owner of Miami-based Rosenhaus Sports Representation, talks about how this year has been very different from his prior 31 years in representing professional athletes. We also discuss his belief that college athletes deserve to e