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 of related state-based legislation.  Darren was asked to briefly describe his role in drafting language for the Florida NIL legislation and his background in consulting related to NIL issues in college athletics as well as any updates as to how the Florida Board of Education has proceeded to implement the Florida legislation. He discussed issues and/or concerns he envisions for states that have already enacted legislation in the event Congress similarly enacts federal NIL legislation which may pre-empt state laws. Additionally, Darren was asked to discuss the impact of the most recently proposed rules changes for college athletes at the NAIA and NCAA (DI, DII, and DIII) in terms of whether institutions adopting those new rules or regulations would be in conformity with the Florida legislation scheduled to become effective in summer 2021. Follow on Twitter/IG: @DarrenHeitner LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sportsagent/

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 firms, the ongoing name, image, and likeness issues in college sports, whether I see the U.S. ever transitioning to a European treatment of its athletes where they are allowed to compete at the professional level as soon as they are able, my role on the Fort Lauderdale Board of Parks, Recreation and Beaches, and more. Building This Community: https://anchor.fm/buildingthiscommunity Me: @DarrenHeitner

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 certainly more player-friendly than those found in the NFL, there are still ways that NBA players can screw up their guarantees. Follow: @DarrenHeitner

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 likeness (NIL) law as well as the motivation for proposing it within the state; main priorities of Florida's law; the significance of including a July 2021 effective date in Florida; the process of obtaining legislative support for the Florida bill; how potential NCAA or federal action impacts Florida's law; steps universities and athletic departments in Florida must take before July 2021; anticipated effects on recruiting in the State of Florida; and what the NIL market should look like in the future. This was recorded during the Student Sports Law Network (SSLN) symposium. Follow Darren Heitner at @DarrenHeitner Follow SSLN at @the_ssln

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 something together that is better than what Florida plans to enact on the subject as of July 1, 2021. Darren goes into detail on the federal proposals and what the NCAA had suggested by way of its recommendations at the time. The two professionals also talk about whether there could be a legal claim against Florida if it pushes forward with its law as planned.  Follow Darren: @DarrenHeitner Follow Michael: @McCannSportsLaw

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 the advice he gives to people who want to follow in his footsteps or otherwise work in sports. If you like it, then please leave this podcast a strong review and subscribe. Host: @DarrenHeitner Guest: @MarkJBurns88

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 student who recently reached out for a class project whether he would allow me to record the interview so that I could share with others the answers to some of the more common questions that I receive on a daily basis. I hope you enjoy it. Tweet me/Follow me on Instagram: @DarrenHeitner

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, including a shift from an effective date of July 1, 2020 to July 1, 2021. The financial literacy and life skills workshop requirement is also discussed, with comparison to some proposed federal legislation on the subject.

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 law. It also goes into the 3 federal bills that have been proposed by members of Congress, including those sponsored by Senator Marco Rubio, Senators Corey Booker and Vice President-Elect Kamala Harris, and Representatives Gonzalez and Cleaver.

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 endorsement contracts. I explain why I think this is the best federal proposal to date, break down its provisions, and describe areas that I think can be improved.