NFL agent David Canter is under investigation by the NFL Players Association for trying to convince teams to draft his players by “offering the use of vacation properties belonging to him and his wife,” according to ESPN.
The potential violations of the NFLPA’s “Regulations for Contract Advisors” allegedly occurred during the 2023 NFL Draft — which was held in Kansas City last month — and ProFootballTalk confirmed ESPN’s reporting by adding that one general manager who received the attempted bribe knew of two others contacted, too.
Anonymous sources told ESPN that the alleged violations from Canter reflect a “form of bribery,” and the outlet later reported that Canter’s actions are “unprecedented.”
In a statement to ESPN, Canter’s attorney, Adam Kenner, denied any violations by the GSE Worldwide football president, whose NFLPA bio page lists that he has been certified by the association since 1997 and negotiated 37 current contracts.
“We are aware that the NFLPA is looking into communications between my client and various management personnel of certain NFL teams,” Kenner said in the statement to ESPN. “Mr. Canter did not engage in any wrongdoing and he is fully cooperating with the NFLPA.”
Canter attended Ithaca College and the University of Miami School of Law, according to his NFLPA bio page.
One article from the “Regulations for Contract Advisors” that ESPN cited included a part about “engaging in unlawful conduct and/or conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, misrepresentation, or other activity which reflects adversely on his/her fitness as a Contract Advisor or jeopardizes his/her effective representation of NFL players.”
ESPN also reported that “trying to incentivize a team to draft a player is not explicitly prohibited by the NFLPA.”
Dolphins cornerback Xavien Howard and Cowboys defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence represent two of Canter’s high-profile clients, according to the GSE Worldwide football website.
Canter and GSE Worldwide represented 21 players in this year’s draft class.
He tweeted out a graphic on April 30 to congratulate eight of the agency’s clients selected — including Desjuan Johnson, the 2023 Mr. Irrelevant from Toledo.
Canter helped Howard land another contract from the Dolphins in April 2022 that included $50.6 million in new money, allowing Howard get the most guaranteed money for a cornerback in league history.
