Comments on: Independent League Teams May Not Even Want Bonds

By: Darren Heitner

Darren Heitner — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 03:07:19 +0000

Gunther-

I keep this site going more for you than for myself (believe me, the advertising revenue is not enough to feed a baby a yearly supply of candy). Anyway, I can definitely try to break down contracts more often based on CBA rules. As for Royce and our other basketball clients, I do intent to break down the process, but will hold off until one of them signs with a team. While I want to help others in this business, I need to look after myself and my clients, and they are best served if I do not discuss which teams have expressed interest and which ones will be conducting tryouts. Royce is the man. I know that you are a loyal reader if you are informed enough to know about the lack of funds with the Gary Steelheads, forcing them out of the playoffs.

Let me know if there is anything in particular that you would like me to cover in the future.

Thanks.

By: Gunther Peterson

Gunther Peterson — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 02:57:33 +0000

Much respect to ya Darren for the quick and sincere reply. As I always maintain, I want you to succeed. You take a lot of your own time to keep others informed and that is respectable. The interviews are great – but a guy like Levien (what happened with Nichomson?) wouldn’t always be honest about his approach and ongoing negotiations (but now that the deal is reportedly done maybe we can see what the incentives are, how the deal is structured, etc.). For the CBA rules, a breakdown of Devin Hester’s contract and how it operates or a breakdown of the NBA’s trade exceptions or MLB’s recent signing bonuses would be fun to read. Also, without revealing names maybe take us through representing one of those 10 players you are trying to put overseas (the rules, potential salaries, live overseas, etc.). For Royce, it would be perfect to say what kinds of things you would tell an NBA scout (I assume you are not hitting up the GMs), what an NBDL tryout entails, what the salaries are like, etc. Good luck – I like Royce’s game and read about him when his team basically got disinegrated because of lack of funds. It would give you a chance to show that being an agent is not just about being flashy, a smart kid, a good talker, a guy who likes to socialize and get his goose on a little bit and hang out with models (while representing them, which seems like you are doing a good job getting some of them opportunities). Keep on trucking too (see, I am from the country and know about grateful dead right?). Thanks for the feedback and keep the site good for us all.

By: Darren Heitner

Darren Heitner — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 23:56:17 +0000

Gunther-

First of all, I am not sure what you are talking about as far as your comments not being posted. I just looked through past comments and comments listed as spam and could not find any with your name or IP address. In the past, when people have asked me to discuss specific topics, I believe I have done a good job in responding. Honestly, I could write a book in response to your comment…there is just so much information to type, and unfortunately, I do not have enough time to appropriate to spending the amount of time that you would probably like me to on each item that you laid out.

I constantly talk about the challenges of being an agent. In Orlando, I met with college coaches, AAU coaches, and had brief conversations with a few AAU players. Most of my time was spent watching the games and noting the excellent competitors. I have studied the MLB, NBA, and NFL CBA…not sure how you want me to tell you how much I know about each. As far as being the most knowledgeable entity at my age, that is strictly an opinion. If you feel otherwise, that’s fine. Represent models, because I enjoy it and I believe that there is a huge profit potential. We are not marketing Royce to European teams. We are aiming to place him with an NBA/NBDL team. We are; however, trying to place roughly 10 players overseas.

I am more interested in reporting the facts and potentially hearing from the actual agents who represent the players as to why they are taking such tactics. Perhaps I will contact Jason Levien to ask him about the Luol Deng situation. I do not recall ever hating you because your name is Gunther. Keep on trucking without the booze. And your feelings on Florida’s ranking about is noted.

By: Gunther Peterson

Gunther Peterson — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 23:23:04 +0000

Darren, I have tried to post comments with intellectual questions in the past and they do not get posted (because I do not reveal my real name since I use my friend’s computer who works in sports) – why is that? I think I have posted some real nice questions. You are bright and ambitious – I think you need to talk more about what agents actually do – it’s more than just going to the AAU event – what did you do down there (interactions with coaches, family members, high school players, etc.), what are the challenges, what do you know about the CBA, what makes you the most knowledgeable entity at your age, why represent models, why bring on so many people to your company, how much in debt will you have to go before you start turning it around, how are you marketing a player like Royce Parran to teams in Europe (maybe share this type of stuff like who you contact, what types of statistical analysis you would use)? What is your take on some of the recent NFL and NBA contracts and why? You are capable of answering this stuff so it would be interesting to see you tackle some subject as if you were actually acting as an agent (such as why Luol Deng deserves a certain amount and why, how a team’s salary cap in the NBA and NFL operates, etc). Bring some knowledge, but don’t hate on me because my name is really Gunther. And I don’t drink and think that Florida being the #1 party school is not that cool since there is more to life than that. Thanks.

By: Darren Heitner

Darren Heitner — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 22:37:44 +0000

Actually, I am well aware of who reads and makes comments on this blog. I am humbled by some of the names that subscribe, including yourself (I will hold off mentioning your name out of respect). I suspended Wally’s commenting privileges not based on this post. In fact, I found this whole thread rather funny since the post itself was made more in jest than anything else. Beyond this post; however, Wally has contributed nothing but spite, and I am just not interested in having his comments get in the way of the intelligent discussion that is taking place between readers on this blog. I’ll put this issue to rest and probably return Wally’s commenting privileges eventually. It is the first time that I have had to make such a move on this blog, and hopefully the last.

By: DominicanFlexo

DominicanFlexo — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 21:04:52 +0000

Darren come on dude. You banned him? Are you serious?
You write up a ridiculous article bashing Barry Bonds for no justified reason, and then you want to try to ban someone who speaks out against the absurdity and returns fire at you?
Even though Wally may not agree with everything you say like alot of the readers on this site, alot of things he says make alot of sense.
I can tell you one thing. You’d really be surprised if you found out who some of these people making comments really were. You really would

By: Darren Heitner

Darren Heitner — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 19:30:25 +0000

Unless you are going to contribute to some sort of discussion, I find no reason to cloud up the Recent Comments with your spiteful remarks. Personally, I could care less what you think about my company, but I want to make sure that this site remains as a forum where we can share ideas effectively without hatred. Thanks.

By: Wally

Wally — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 19:22:37 +0000

Darren

I have been banned or something?

- wally

By: DominicanFlexo

DominicanFlexo — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 17:47:42 +0000

Wally > ________________-

By: Malik

Malik — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 21:35:26 +0000

Wally is right, Haran has no rep, no one has ever heard of him before. hitting .194 at the rookie level will get you no where. I dont think Bonds is stubborn for not wanting to play indy, he just doesnt want to stoop to the level of gerard haran. its not being cocky, its being confident cause hes proven he can play in the MLB, haran never has proven and never will be able to rpove he can compete at that level. but all this talk is irrelevant, the point at issue is darren tried to roast bonds and say he couldnt make an indy league team and me, wally, flexo and alex all proved you guys wrong.

Wally- i do want to get in the industry and am currently interning with a small NFL agent. I need to get your email address somehow, i admire the way you are able to defend your points and you are always able to tie in amusing points such as the representation of american gladiators. and the sad thing is your are on point with that statement, i honestly believe heitner would represent such people to try and expand his client base. btw, to see another amusing blog check out vuk’s and what his clients are saying. his client that was drafted in the 39th round is batting an amazing .171 and his 2 indy clients continue to dominate. i wish i had an eye for talent that vuk and darren possess. its a real bummer the dynasty business relationship between them failed, they were truly a match made in heaven!