I'm Hired To Show Florida QB Anthony Richardson The Money

Ten years ago, in 2011, I decided to pivot from being a sports agent to practicing full-time as a lawyer. I had created my own sports agency from scratch in 2007 and determined four years later that I was not passionate enough about pursuing what was once a dream of mine -- to serve as a sports agent -- largely because of what actually transpires behind the scenes. I provided many of the reasons why I chose to shift my focus to the practice of law in an article from 2017.

I promised myself that I would only get back into the representation of athletes, beyond the scope of serving as an attorney, under the perfect circumstances. It had to be the proper time and with the right athlete. That time is now and the athlete could not be a better fit.

Ten years after calling it quits as a sports agent, I have signed up University of Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson to assist him with seeking and negotiating sponsorship, endorsement, and marketing agreements regarding the commercial exploitation of his name, image, and likeness (NIL), and to represent him with brand partnerships, sponsor relations, autograph opportunities, personal appearances, camps and clinics, and product placements. My plan for now is to only work with Richardson in this capacity, and stay in my lane as a lawyer with respect to the services I provide to all other college and professional athletes so as not to compete with my many sports agent/agency clients and in order to remain hyperfocused on the representation of Richardson.

Why Richardson? He is a 6'4, 230 lbs freshman quarterback who has already displayed his prowess for running by and over defenders, throwing a long ball, supporting his teammates including fellow quarterback Emory Jones, pre-game backflips and he has the personality as well as professionalism that makes him a magnet for brands. He is also a Florida Gator, which puts him in a special place with me as a graduate of the University of Florida and University of Florida Levin College of Law. Mainly, I have not been enamored by the potential of an athlete like Richardson since witnessing Tim Tebow in Gainesville, Florida many years ago and I could not resist the temptation of helping Richardson as he grows and exploits his brand.

The strategy with Richardson will be to focus on quality partnerships as opposed to jumping at every opportunity that comes his way. To that end, the goal is to only enter into a handful of relationships with reputable corporate entities that compensate Richardson in the range of six-to-seven figures. I have already had the pleasure of negotiating one mid-six-figure deal that has the potential to be worth even more than that for Richardson and am in discussions with other brands that are very interested in associating with Richardson, at this early stage of his career, on long-term deals. I am benefitted from the fact that Richardson also has an advisor, Deiric Jackson, by his side, who has already proven that he has Richardson's best interests in mind. Richardson also has the support of a strong Florida Gators community, which includes an organization called The Gator Collective that I have helped advise since its creation.

I have no intention of becoming certified with any of the major professional sports' players associations nor competing with my clients who negotiate team contracts on behalf of professional athletes. This is strictly an engagement to assist Richardson with his off-field opportunities, which I am legally allowed to do without becoming licensed as an athlete agent in the State of Florida, pursuant to Florida's NIL law. It states, in part, "A postsecondary educational institution may not prevent or unduly restrict an intercollegiate athlete from obtaining professional representation by an athlete agent or attorney engaged for the purpose of securing compensation for the use of her or his name, image, or likeness" as long as the attorney is a member in good standing of The Florida Bar.

I am very much looking forward to providing value for Richardson as he hopefully grows personally and professionally into someone whom I believe will soon become the face of college football. It is an honor and privilege to serve as his representative and I am thrilled that Richardson, along with all other college athletes, finally have the opportunity to receive fortune off of their fame. It is time to show Richardson the money!