Heather Draper Reporter- Denver Business Journal

Denver District Court Judge Edward Bronfin has set an early March 2013 trial date in the case of two high-profile Denver sports agents — Peter Schaffer and Lamont Smith — who haven’t been able to resolve their differences outside the courtroom.

As reported in December by the Denver Business Journal, the two lawyers-turned-sports agents have sued and countersued each other since Schaffer left Denver sports management firm All Pro Sports & Entertainment Inc. (APSE) in August 2011. Schaffer formed his own sports management firm, Authentic Athletix.

Smith founded APSE in 1987 and was joined by Schaffer in 1988. Their client list included football legends Barry Sanders, Jerome Bettis and Eddie George.

Smith and APSE sued Schaffer in September, claiming breach of fiduciary duty and misappropriation of trade secrets. In November, Schaffer countersued Smith and APSE, claiming that Smith improperly spent APSE funds on personal expenses and investments without receiving shareholder or board approval.

In a preliminary ruling by Bronfin on March 23 in the APSE suit against Schaffer, Bronfin found there was “no doubt Schaffer was or should have been aware of the [contract] assignment issue.” In other words, Bronfin ruled that the contract Schaffer had with All Pro Sports before he resigned was enforceable.

Schaffer had argued that he was unaware of the assignment agreement, that he was never a sent a draft of the agreement and that his signature on the agreement was forged, according to the March 23 court document.

Because the judge ruled that Schaffer’s contract signed in 2004 was enforceable, the court found that the revenues generated from Schaffer’s Standard Representation Agreements (SRA) while he was under contract with APSE should go to the company.

Schaffer was ordered to pay $263,432 of past representation fees to a court-appointed receiver, according to the ruling. He was also ordered to pay $653,955 in “accounts receivable” funds from future fees he’ll receive from athletes’ contracts he negotiated before he left APSE.

“The court does not accept and does not find credible Schaffer’s suggestion or testimony that the issue of the assignment of the SRA revenues was never resolved and simply ignored, and that the parties went on for the next five or six years with that issue never having been resolved,” Bronfin said in the ruling.

The judge also struck language from Schaffer’s countersuit that alleged Smith “fostered a hostile and abusive work environment,” calling the allegations “gratuitous attacks.”

Bronfin said he made his ruling about the fees because “there is a danger or real, immediate and irreparable injury which may be prevented by the injunctive relief ordered by the court.”

APSE had a $1 million line of credit with AmFirst Bank that had come due, according to the ruling.

The judge ruled that putting 75 percent of Schaffer’s fees toward restructuring the $1 million loan “will put All Pro in the best position to avoid filing for bankruptcy protection.”

The remaining 25 percent is split between Smith and Schaffer for their operating expenses.

“The solace I take in the ruling is that 75 percent of this is going to pay down an obligation I was going to have to pay down anyway,” Schaffer said. “Regarding any potential damages, I’ve already paid them. So they can’t come after that money twice, even though I don’t believe I owe anything.”

Heather Draper covers banking, finance, law and the economy for the Denver Business Journal and writes for the “Finance Etc.” blog.

http://www.bizjournals.com/denver/print-edition/2012/05/18/battling-sports-agents-will-take-fight.html?surround=etf&ana=e_article

The 25-year old Vasquez is the only NBA player to be born and raised in
Venezuela, a country of 29 million, that has widely considered baseball to
be their own national past time. Athlete’s Quarterly details Vasquez’
journey from being a high school teammate of Kevin Durant at Montrose
Christian in Maryland and speaking very little English, to his incredible
career at the University of Maryland where he was named ACC Player of the
Year.

At Maryland, Vasquez was the recipient of the Bob Cousy Award, the
prestigious award given to the nation’s top point guard, and went on to
become the 28th overall draft pick of the Memphis Grizzlies in the 2010 NBA
draft.

Venezuela has begun to catch basketball fever with Vasquez leading the way
in his hopes of helping his country qualify for the 2012 Olympics. Vasquez
is a class act and young professional who has embraced his role as being a
national hero for his country.

“To walk around and see my jersey, to have kids see me there and have
contact with me, if it helps inspire them to reach their dreams, it’s an
amazing feeling,” said Vasquez. The future is bright for Vasquez and he has
an entire country backing him up.

At Pitt, Lindsey recorded 22.5 sacks — 4.0 as a sophomore reserve, 10.0 as a junior when he became a full-time starter, and 8.5 last year. In the NFL, look for Lindsey to transition from mainly playing defensive end to utilizing his 6-foot-2, 250 pound frame as an outside linebacker.

“I would think that every athlete is proud of where they come from, “Lindsey said. But that’s especially true for guys from Aliquippa. There’s been a long line of great players from Aliquippa, and I’m just proud that I have a chance to be included among them.”

You can keep up with Lindsey as he begins his NFL career by following him on Twitter at twitter.com/@B_Lindsey7

The former California University of Pennsylvania offensive lineman was signed this afternoon by the Seattle Seahawks who showed a great deal of interest in the powerful 6-foot-5, 310-pound guard.

Johnson joins a small group of Cal (PA) players currently in the NFL. The last player from the school selected in the draft was Tommie Campbell who was selected in the seventh round in 2011.

You can follow along with Rishaw on his NFL journey by following him on Twitter at twitter.com/BigRee75

NEW ORLEANS, LA (4/25/2012)

Boys Hope Girls Hope of New Orleans was established in 1980 and is a privately funded, 501(c)(3) nonprofit, nondenominational organization that helps academically capable and motivated children-in-need to meet their full potential and become men and women for others by providing value-centered, family-like homes, opportunities, and education through college.

Johnson, a native of New Orleans, spent the evening with the boys enjoying dinner, playing video games, and encouraging them to stay on the right track.

“New Orleans isn’t always the best environment for kids growing up these days, so it was a great experience to share my story with these young people, letting them know that dreams do come true and that they can make it,” said Johnson

“Wow! What a great visit with Rishaw!” said Boys Hope Girls Hope of Greater New Orleans Executive Director Chuck Roth. “He was tremendously engaged with our young men and led a great discussion about staying focused on your dreams and not letting peers influence your judgment about right and wrong. Obviously, he learned from his mistakes and is on his way to a very promising career, thanks to those who truly cared about him.”

About All Pro Sports & Entertainment, Inc.
Founded by C. Lamont Smith, All Pro Sports & Entertainment, Inc. (“APSE”) is a world-class sports management firm that specializes in the representation of sports professionals. With a valued reputation and commitment to our clients’ careers, APSE has the privilege of representing several of the most respected and celebrated names in sports. Our clients range from athletes, coaches, and broadcasters in various sports. The extensive scope accommodates us with an unparalleled awareness of the industry’s pulse, which helps us proactively position our clients to prosper from emerging trends.

Contact:
Nickie Robsinson
GoodGirlPR
Nickie@GoodGirlPR.com
212.380.3385

For the second year in a row, Hall of Fame running back Barry Sanders will announce the Detroit Lions second round draft pick in the upcoming NFL Draft. Sanders was given this same honor last year, marking the first time ever that the NFL had retired players announce every pick in the second round. This was an obvious choice for Detroit, Sanders having played all 10 seasons with the Lions, was one of the most exciting players in NFL history and many will argue that he was the best to ever play the running back position.

Vasquez has been a top-20 player on the Player Rater over the past week with Jarrett Jack out of the lineup. Vasquez lit up the Los Angeles Lakers for 18 points, and 11 assists on Monday night to bring his averages over the past five games to 11.8 points and 7.6 assists in 31.6 minutes of playing time.

DENVER, CO (3/21/2012)—In competitive sports, coaches are constantly attempting to find anything that will allow their team to gain a competitive advantage. This alone is probable the justification as to why almost half the teams in the NFL have transitioned from the traditional 4-3 scheme to strictly using the renewed 3-4 defense, or a combination of both during games.

With the constant evolution of the game more is being asked of the players, particularly linebackers.  It has now become much more vital that they are able to adapt to the various defensive sets while being capable of not only supporting the run but also effectively defending the pass. It is very difficult for linebackers who are one-dimensional to be successful in the NFL now-a days. Coaches and players alike are downgrading the concept of being a master of one domain, and dropping the “versatility” buzzword like crazy.

With more teams switching to the 3-4 defense next season, big, fast defensive ends and linebackers are at a premium. Brandon Lindsey has experience playing in both a 4-3, as well as a 3-4, which will serve as a huge advantage for him come draft day. His first three seasons he played in a 4-3 as a tall but slender defensive end, and became a starter midway through his junior year. Last season under Head Coach Todd Graham Lindsey played the hybrid DE/OLB, and was named to the All-Big East first team.

He recorded 123 tackles in his career, 34.5 tackles for loss, and a very impressive 22.5 sacks. Lindsey also added an interception and forced five fumbles over his four years.

DENVER, CO (3/20/2012)—There is lots of speculation about the future of Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow. Now that Peyton Manning has decided to play for the Broncos, most people assume Tebow’s days in Denver are numbered. One sports insider says he’s not so sure.

9NEWS asked a long-time local sports agent C. Lamont Smith, president and general counsel of All Pro Sports & Entertainment Inc., if he thinks Manning and Tebow can coexist on the same team.

While many insiders are saying it would not be possible, Smith says it would be a good move for the Broncos.

When a star athlete like Manning signs a multi-million dollar deal, a sports agent like Smith is the guy who brokered that deal. His agency has been in business since 1987.

“Our big break came with Barry Sanders. We’ve represented people like Jerome Bettis, and Trevor Pryce, and Steve Atwater,” Smith said.

With 25 years, and plenty of high-dollar deals under his belt, Smith says the Broncos landing a star player like Manning is great news for the team and Tebow.

“I think it’s phenomenal. The old recipe for quarterbacks was that they went through an apprenticeship. He [Tebow] has an apprenticeship now,” Smith said.

Smith believes there’s room in the Broncos franchise for Manning, a four-time MVP, and
Tebow, a fan favorite.

“If I’m Tim Tebow’s agent I’m saying to him, ‘Look, you’ve had the best of both worlds here because you’ve established yourself to a certain extent in this league and now you get to watch the consummate professional,’” Smith said.

Not everyone agrees there’s enough room in Mile High for Manning and Tebow.

CNBC Sports Business Reporter Darren Rovell says Tebow’s fan base is more valuable than his NFL record.

“Are the Broncos making this a better team? Yeah, perhaps they’re making it a better team. Bringing in Tim Tebow is probably the biggest move that any team can make because you have a team that needs to sell tickets and you have the guy that will sell them,” Rovell said.

Smith believes the Broncos would be wise to keep the 24-year-old Tebow as a backup QB and groom him to take over for Manning, who turns 36 on Saturday.

“It can absolutely work and I think for the long term success of the Broncos it is the best of all worlds,” Smith said.

Smith points out other quarterbacks who existed under similar circumstances – like Joe Montana and Steve Young or Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers.

Most sports insiders say a roster of Manning and Tebow is highly unlikely.

Sports agent: Broncos should keep Manning and Tebow

Article provided by Will Ripley, 9NEWS Denver