Ben Dogra was an American

sports agent A sports agent is a legal representative (hence agent (law), agent) for professional sports figures such as athletes and coaches. They procure and negotiate employment and Testimonial, endorsement contracts for the principal (commercial law), at ...

who, until July 2006, headed the Football Division of SFX Football, with associate Mark Heligman. He began his career in 1993 as an intern at SMG in St. Louis and later became a prominent sports agent, being named the 6th Most Powerful Sports Agent by Sports Business Journal in 2008. He was co-head of CAA Football with Tom Condon until his release in 2014 amid rumors of starting his own agency. In 2019, Dogra sued former client Robert Griffin III, alleging unpaid marketing and endorsement fees. Dogra's NFL clients have included notable players such as QB Robert Griffin III, RB Adrian Peterson, WR Braylon Edwards, LB Patrick Willis, and DE Mario Williams.

Early life and education

Dogra graduated from

George Mason University George Mason University (GMU) is a Public university, public research university in Fairfax County, Virginia, United States. Located in Northern Virginia near Washington, D.C., the university is named in honor of George Mason, a Founding Father ...

with a B.S. in economics, then earned his

Juris Doctor A Juris Doctor, Doctor of Jurisprudence, or Doctor of Law (JD) is a graduate-entry professional degree that primarily prepares individuals to practice law. In the United States and the Philippines, it is the only qualifying law degree. Other j ...

degree from St. Louis University School of Law.

Career

He previously worked with Jim Steiner in

St. Louis St. Louis ( , sometimes referred to as St. Louis City, Saint Louis or STL) is an independent city in the U.S. state of Missouri. It lies near the confluence of the Mississippi and the Missouri rivers. In 2020, the city proper had a populatio ...

, at SMG (now SFX Sports Group, which is a subsidiary of

Clear Channel Entertainment Live Nation is an American events promoter and venue operator based in Beverly Hills, California. Founded in 1996 by Robert F. X. Sillerman as SFX Entertainment, the company's business was built around consolidating concert promoters into a n ...

). Dogra got his start in 1993 as an intern at SMG. Dogra was named the 6th Most Powerful Sports Agent in 2008 by ''

Sports Business Journal This is a list of subsidiaries of the American media company Advance Publications Inc. Local media groups The following subsidiaries are owned through Advance Local Advance Media New York *'' The Post-Standard'' (Syracuse, New York) **Syracuse. ...

''. He has also represented more first round draft choices than any other NFL agent since 2004. Dogra was formerly co-head of CAA Football with

Tom Condon Thomas Joseph Condon (born October 26, 1952) is an American football Sports agent, agent and former right guard. He was named the most powerful agent in American football by ''Sporting News'' in 2006 and heads the Football Division of Creative A ...

. CAA released Dogra on November 13, 2014, for probable cause due to rumors of him starting his own sports agency. On March 26, 2019, Dogra sued former client

Robert Griffin III Robert Lee Griffin III (born February 12, 1990), nicknamed RGIII or RG3, is an American former professional football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for eight seasons, most notably with the Washington Redskins. He ...

for $685,000 as a result of Griffin allegedly not paying his 15% of marketing and endorsement fees as stated in his contract with Dogra. According to court filings, Griffin paid Dogra $12,975 of an invoice of $389,803 in fees in 2014, $36,371 of $258,559, and no money of $58,714 in fees in 2018.

NFL client base

A few of Dogra's and the rest of CAA's

NFL The National Football League (NFL) is a professional American football league in the United States. Composed of 32 teams, it is divided equally between the American Football Conference (AFC) and the National Football Conference (NFC). The N ...

clients include: QB

, Baltimore Ravens; 2012-2018 RB

Adrian Peterson Adrian Lewis Peterson (; born March 21, 1985) is an American former professional football running back who played 15 seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He is widely considered to be one of the greatest running backs in football hist ...

, Washington Redskins; RB

Jonathan Stewart Jonathan Creon Stewart (born March 21, 1987) is an American former professional football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Oregon Ducks, earning All-American honors. Stewar ...

, Free Agent; RB

Joseph Addai Joseph Kwaku Duah Addai Jr. ( ) (born May 3, 1983) is an American former professional football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL). He was selected by the Indianapolis Colts in the first round (30th overall pick) ...

, Retired; WR Roy Williams, Retired; WR

Braylon Edwards Braylon Jamel Edwards (born February 21, 1983) is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL). He was a unanimous All-American playing college football for the Michigan Wolver ...

, Retired; WR Lee Evans, Retired; OL Andre Smith, Minnesota Vikings LB DeMeco Ryans, Retired; LB

Patrick Willis Patrick L. Willis (born January 25, 1985) is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker for his entire eight-year career with the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football ...

, Retired; LB

London Fletcher London Levi Fletcher-Baker (born May 19, 1975) is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker for 16 seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the John Carroll Blue Streaks and sign ...

Retired; CB

Terence Newman Terence Newman (born September 4, 1978) is an American former professional American football, football player who was a cornerback for 15 seasons in the National Football League (NFL) for the Dallas Cowboys, Cincinnati Bengals, and Minnesota Vik ...

, Retired; DE

Mario Williams Mario Jerrel Williams (born January 31, 1985) is an American former professional football player who was a defensive end in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the NC State Wolfpack, and was selected first overa ...

, Retired;

References

Year of birth missing (living people) Living people American sports businesspeople George Mason University alumni American sports agents Saint Louis University School of Law alumni Sports agents {{US-business-bio-stub