High-profile NFL agent Ben Dogra was suspended for three years and fined $200,000 for violations of NFL Players Association regulations, the NFLPA announced on Wednesday.
In a release, the NFLPA says it reviewed a 38-count disciplinary complaint and sworn testimony before taking such serious action against Dogra. The association's Committee on Agent and Regulations (CARD) unanimously decided on this discipline. He can appeal the organization's decision and represent his clients until that appeal is heard.
Dogra has fallen on tough times over the last year. The long-time agent was fired by Creative Artists Agency (CAA) in November 2014. Clients including Houston defensive end J.J. Watt, Washington left tackle Trent Williams and Chiefs wide receiver Jeremy Maclin all dismissed him in 2015. Dogra's attorney, Rusty Hardin, told Sports Business Journal after his client's dismissal that this was an effort by the agency to avoid honoring the NFL agent's contract.
“This looks like they thought Ben was going to leave and they tried to beat him to the punch,” Hardin said. The powerful agent joined Relativity Sports last February, heading up the football side of the company.
Dogra's most famous client is Vikings running back Adrian Peterson, but that's hardly the only star he represents. Other clients include Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman, Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green, Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart, Jets defensive end Sheldon Richardson and Bills pass-rusher Mario Williams.
In a release, the NFLPA says it reviewed a 38-count disciplinary complaint and sworn testimony before taking such serious action against Dogra. The association's Committee on Agent and Regulations (CARD) unanimously decided on this discipline. He can appeal the organization's decision and represent his clients until that appeal is heard.
Dogra has fallen on tough times over the last year. The long-time agent was fired by Creative Artists Agency (CAA) in November 2014. Clients including Houston defensive end J.J. Watt, Washington left tackle Trent Williams and Chiefs wide receiver Jeremy Maclin all dismissed him in 2015. Dogra's attorney, Rusty Hardin, told Sports Business Journal after his client's dismissal that this was an effort by the agency to avoid honoring the NFL agent's contract.
“This looks like they thought Ben was going to leave and they tried to beat him to the punch,” Hardin said. The powerful agent joined Relativity Sports last February, heading up the football side of the company.
Dogra's most famous client is Vikings running back Adrian Peterson, but that's hardly the only star he represents. Other clients include Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman, Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green, Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart, Jets defensive end Sheldon Richardson and Bills pass-rusher Mario Williams.