At times, agents may be entitled to commissions when those they represent engage in other business opportunities. One such instance has led Darrelle Revis, cornerback for the New York Jets, to take legal actions against his agents.
According to ESPN, Revis recently filed a lawsuit in Westchester County Supreme Court which accused Jonathan Feinsod and Neil Schwartz of fraud, conversion, breach of fiduciary duty and civil theft. In the suit, Revis claimed that Schwartz and Feinsod failed to inform him of a clause in a beverage endorsement agreement which specified that the agents’ fee would be 50 percent instead of 10 percent.
Disclosing the agreement details
The filing stated that Schwartz and Feinsod set up a system through which so that all proceeds from an agreement between Revis and Healthy Beverage, LLC would be sent directly to the two of them, in violation of conventional practices. Typically, Revis would receive the funds and then appropriate them to his agents based on their standard fees.
Court documents provided by Courthouse News revealed Schwartz and Feinsod also hired a law firm, Wilentz, Goldman, & Spitzer to work on behalf of Revis on the energy beverage agreement, but prevented the firm from sending a retainer contract for legal services to Revis. His agents did so for the purpose of relieving Wilentz’s fiduciary obligation to inform Revis of the Healthy Beverage agreement’s payment arrangements.
Basically, the lawsuit claimed Schwartz and Feinsod intentionally kept the cornerback in the dark. In addition, the agents structured the relationship so that Healthy Beverage would pay Wilentz’s legal fees directly from financing that was supposed to go through Revis first.
Breaching legal trust
Schwartz is actually a licensed attorney in New York. The court documents revealed Schwartz, who had represented both Revis and the cornerback’s limited liability company Shavae, claimed he had never worked on their behalf as a legal representative.
The filing acknowledged Revis’ disbelieve that “a person who had been his lawyer for about nine years, a person he had trusted totally, had taken advantage of him, stolen from him, and refused to return the misappropriated funds.” As Revis was unaware of the agreements Schwartz developed with respect to the Healthy Beverage endorsement, the athlete continued to allow Revis to represent him in contractual matters, including negotiations regarding Revis’ contract with the New York Jets.
As imagined, Revis has fired Schwartz (his former) attorney and has sought and obtained other legal representation.
Are you an athlete seeking legal representation? Do you have any questions? Would you like to discuss the matter further? If so, please contact me, Anthony Caruso, 201-806-3364.
Common Legal Mistakes NYC and New Jersey Business Owners Make
Operating a business in the New Jersey and New York City metropolitan region offers incredible opportunities, but it also requires navigating a dense and highly regulated legal environment. From entity formation to regulatory compliance, seemingly minor legal oversights can expose business owners to significant risk. In our work with businesses throughout the region, our attorneys […]
High-profile founder litigation is more than just a media spectacle. For startup founders, these cases underscore the legal and structural risks that can arise when rapid growth outpaces formal oversight. While launching a new company can be both an exciting and deeply rewarding endeavor, founders must be mindful that it also comes with significant risks. […]
Corporate Governance Reviews: A Practical Guide for New Jersey Companies
Every New Jersey company should periodically evaluate its governance framework. Strong corporate governance protects directors and officers, builds investor confidence, reduces litigation exposure, and positions a company for sustainable growth. The first quarter of the year is a great time to evaluate your corporate governance practices and perform any routine maintenance needed to keep that […]
What to Do After Being Served with a Lawsuit: Steps to Protect Your Legal Rights
Being served with a lawsuit is one of the most stressful legal events a business or individual can face. Whether the claim involves a contract dispute, an employment matter, an intellectual property issue, or another legal challenge, the actions you take in the first few days can significantly shape the outcome of your case. Acting […]
Will 2026 Be a Banner Year for SPACs? Understanding the Risks and Opportunities
Special Purpose Acquisition Companies (SPACs) continue to gain momentum as we move through 2026. After enduring a significant contraction following the 2021 boom and the regulatory scrutiny that followed, SPAC activity rebounded sharply in 2025 and now carries forward into 2026 with real momentum. The SPAC resurgence reflects broader improvements in both market conditions and the […]
Why Compliance Monitoring Matters for NY and NJ Businesses
Compliance programs are no longer judged by how they look on paper, but by how they function in the real world. Compliance monitoring is the ongoing process of reviewing, testing, and evaluating whether policies, procedures, and controls are being followed—and whether they are actually working. What Is Compliance Monitoring? In today’s heightened regulatory environment, compliance […]
No Aspect of the advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court. Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.
Sign up to get the latest from our attorneys!
Explore What Matters Most to You.
Consider subscribing to our Firm Insights mailing list by clicking the button below so you can keep up to date with the firm`s latest articles covering various legal topics.
Stay informed and inspired with the latest updates, insights, and events from Scarinci Hollenbeck. Our resource library provides valuable content across a range of categories to keep you connected and ahead of the curve.
Let`s get in touch!
Sign up to get the latest from the Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC attorneys!
