Entrepreneur Success Story: Dynasty Athlete Representation, LLC
Tell me your story. Who are you? How old are you? What is your educational background?
My name is Darren Heitner. I am a 23-year-old second-year law student (also known as a 2L) at the University of Florida Levin College of Law. I was born in South Florida and have lived in Florida my entire life (minus a 3 month internship in Atlanta, GA). I am a double Gator, which means that once I graduate from UF Law, I will have my Bachelors and JD from the same wonderful orange and blue institution. Upon graduation, I plan on moving back down to South Florida to devote 100% of my time to my business.
Tell me all about your company.
My company is Dynasty Athlete Representation, LLC. I started the Florida-based company in April 2007 with a partner who graduated from the University of Illinois who was at that point also in law school out in California. Interestingly, we met through a website that I own, SportsAgentBlog.com. He was one of my first contributors to the site, which now garners over 3,000 page views per day. In February 2008, I bought my partner out, and to this day I remain the sole owner of Dynasty. That being said, my company has fantastic employees who serve as Division Directors and we get a great crop of interns for every season. Dynasty was created in April 2007 with one client: a bowler. Since then, we have expanded to include divisions in basketball, football, coaches, baseball, and entertainment. Additionally, our bowling division is unrivaled. We represent over eighteen of the top PBA Tour exempt bowlers including this year's ESPY Bowler of the Year: Norm Duke.
Why did you start this company?
I started Dynasty Athlete Representation for a variety of reasons. I am fascinated by the law and have an extreme passion for sports. The fact that I was a nationally ranked high school debater and have an inclination to negotiate practically everything made the selection of being a sports agent quite easy. Upon deciding that this was something I was interested in, I applied for an internship as an undergrad. I interned with a major agency out of Atlanta, Career Sports and Entertainment, in the summer between my Sophomore and Junior year. I am very thankful that I was not only selected by the company, but that they threw me right into the mix in my first day on the job. I learned invaluable information at CS&E. Upon the expiration of the internship, I started thinking to myself, "What can I do to start increasing my value in the industry RIGHT NOW?" As a New Years Resolution, I started what has become SportsAgentBlog.com on December 31, 2005.
The intentions behind creating it was two-fold: stay abreast of current sports agent related matters and get my name out in the industry. For the first year, my best day was sixty visitors. Now, SportsAgentBlog.com is read by the entire industry, and even generates some money for my company through advertisements. As the blog grew, I said, why not give it a try at the real thing? I had read up on every major sport's Collective Bargaining Agreement, had the requisite connections for any potential clients, and had a solid framework of others in the industry who were more than gracious in their willingness to help. I never wanted to work for anybody else and I wanted to start my own business as a young man. The worst that could happen would be that it would fail.
Page Two: How Dynasty got funding
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Wow. I have always dreamed of being a sports agent. It is great to see someone doing it from scratch at such a young age. This guy should be an inspiration to all.
This is the most impressive young person I have ever heard of. His enthusiasm, perseverance, and intelligence are an inspiration to us all. Watch out Bill Gates!
Don't you have to have a client on a MLB 40 Man Roster, 53 man NFL roster or NBA roster before you are really considered an agent??
Come on now DrewR. Let's not hate on this entrepreneurial young man. While it is true that to be a "registered" agent with the NFL, NBA or MLB one has to have a client on the prior mentioned Roster, keep in mind that he does represent bowlers (which from what little I know does not have such a list) so he can very well be considered an agent. No need to try and bring him down for something so idiotic! Keep at it DH.
Clause1 The fact remains that for 30 years nobody needed an agent as a bowler. There still remains no proof that one is need now. Until he deals with a team prior to him signing a contract, he should not be considered an agent. He has 3 players in the minors which he signed after they were drafted. The basketball, coaches, football players are not even NDBL worthy, head coach worthy or AFL2 worthy. So please just because you say you are an agent doesn't mean you are one.
DrewR Actually, according to their client roster they represent an D-League Head Coach, CBA Head Coach, as well as 3 NCAA Division I Head Coaches. And regardless... why the hate?
I actually know Darren well, and I believe that his basketball players and football players are currently being looked at by NBDL and AFL1 and AFL2 teams, not to mention I hear that the company has a few big clients they are working on in the future.
Hate? Industry standards will tell you must have a player on an active roster or at the very least dealt with and coming to an agreement on a signing deal with a team. Picking up a some FA's and 40 something rounders and calling yourself an agent is simply a lie. How many 40 rounders need an agent? Zero ask anybody in the industry with any knowledge and they will tell you the same.
Darren's a great guy. I interviewed him for my website, Jimmy Scott's High & Tight (www.jimmyscottshighandtight) which you'll be able to hear in a couple of weeks.
Hey everybody. Thanks for the comments thus far. Interestingly, I don't represent and "40 rounders". Let "DrewR" continue on his tirade. Seems like there is some pent up aggression deep inside.
Hey Darren...I applaud your vision and your drive to succeed. Can I give you some advice? I saw a picture of you on your website under the tab where all the agents are interviewed. If you walk into a meeting with your hair like that...you will never be taken seriously. Just some advise from a business man on Wall St.
Good luck with your work on your Law Degree and keep your passion for Sports. As a Midwest native and Midwest sports fan... I hope team like Creighton and Iowa get another crack vs. Florida in the future. Both teams lost the last game, after winning the previous game in basketball and football, respectively.
Also, professional shots should not be taken like someone on spring break with Playboy Bunnies or the like.
He has pictures with Playboy Bunnies because he is the Florida Playboy representative. When it's your job, it's completely acceptable
Dynasty Reps has got to be one of the best up-and-coming agencies in the country. As the young top management continues to gain experience, there will be very little that can stop them. The company really cares deeply for their clients and would do anything for them. Often at a large agency you can lose that intimate touch. Check out their new video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XWW1pQEaIXE
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