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Leinart Ditches Steinberg

Leigh Steinberg apparently wouldn't have represented that face well

After originally hiring Leigh Steinberg as his agent, Matt Lienart has decided to choose a different entity to represent him for the upcoming NFL Draft.

Creative Artists Agency will have the duty of making sure that Leinart is a top choice in this year’s draft. This is an interesting selection, because while Create Artists Agency is one of the premier representation agencies in the country, their client list is mostly composed of music artists, actors, and comedians.

On the other hand, Leinart was already seeking representation from CAA for all matters outside of the football field, and CAA boasts Tom Condon as one of their sports agents (formerly of IMG).

On the surface, this issue looks very dirty. The USA Today seems to shed a very low light on agents in their article concerning this issue, and basically says that no one should feel any remorse for Steinberg, or any other agent for that matter.

Steinberg is going through a rough time right now. According to the LA Times, Winston Justice (another USC player that is supposed to be a top-10 pick in this year’s draft) has also terminated his relationship with Steinberg after originally signing with the agent.

Straight from Leigh Steinberg:

Everything has seemed to be really happy and upbeat, so I’m really at a loss for words. It has seemed to be such a positive relationship.

Is anyone else surpised?

[tags]leigh steinberg, matt leinart, caa, creative artists agency, usc, nfl draft[/tags]

By Darren Heitner

Darren Heitner created Sports Agent Blog as a New Year's Resolution on December 31, 2005. Originally titled, "I Want To Be A Sports Agent," the website was founded with the intention of causing Heitner to learn more about the profession that he wanted to join, meet reputable individuals in the space and force himself to stay on top of the latest news and trends.

Heitner now runs Heitner Legal, P.L.L.C., which is a law firm with many practice areas, including sports law and contract law. Heitner has represented numerous athletes and sports agents as legal counsel. He has also served as an Adjunct Professor at Indiana University Bloomington from 2011-2014, where he created and taught a course titled, Sport Agency Management, which included subjects ranging from NCAA regulations to athlete agent certification and the rules governing the profession. Heitner serves as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Florida Levin College of Law, where he teaches a Sports Law class that includes case law surrounding athlete agents and the NCAA rules.

3 replies on “Leinart Ditches Steinberg”

[…] For those of you who watched the 2006 NFL Draft, you may remember Tom Condon as the patient older-looking man standing beside superstar Matt Lienart as he slipped down to the Arizona Cardinals. Tom Condon used to be the head football agent at IMG, but is now in control of the sports division at long-time entertainment agency, CAA. […]

I am researching companies that offer online courses designed to prepare me for a certification as a sports agent. I am currently a retirement planner with New York Life / NYLIFE Securities, and have found that high net-worth business leaders aren’t that different from pro athletes. I mean high compensation is high compensation. My job starts when the money is made, and not before or during. I am part of a team that handles some insurance matters for Billy McMullen (WR / Was), and I believe that my financial background will prove valuable to other athletes’ long-term goals. I appreciate any advice that you may be willing to provide, and would be delighted if there is a training program within CAA.

Best Regards,

Michael L. Emery, CLTC
4860 Cox Road, Suite 200
Glen Allen, VA 23060
[email protected]
804-615-4325

Michael. Start by not discussion clients in public. Your clients must feel that they can trust you!

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