Michael Trope

Trope graduated from Palisades Charter High School in 1969 and graduated magna cum laude from USC with a major in history in 1973.Sue Ellen Jares, [http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20068186,00.html "The Key to Pro Football Success: Good Legs, Strong Body and a Contract Negotiated by Mike Trope,"] People Magazine, June 27, 1977. Trope later graduated from Loyola Law School in 1983 and was admitted to the California State Bar in 1987.

In 1971, 20-year-old USC junior, Trope, decided he wanted to be an agent after watching Johnny Rodgers complete a punt return for 72 yards and a touchdown against the University of Oklahoma, thus leading the Nebraska Cornhuskers to the NCAA national football championship. Rodgers won the Heisman Trophy and Trope, at age 21 signed Rodgers as his first client and became the youngest agent in history to represent NFL players.Fun While It Lasted, [http://www.funwhileitlasted.net/2011/04/19/8-southern-california-sun/ "#8 Southern California Fun,"] Fun While It Lasted, 1983.Joe Marshall, [https://web.archive.org/web/20131205010655/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1092414/2/index.htm "This Agent's No Secret,"] Sports Illustrated, May 16, 1977.

After graduating from Loyola Law School in 1983 Trope retired as an NFL agent in 1985. Trope was admitted to the California State Bar in 1987, which is also the year Trope wrote the book "Necessary Roughness", a very candid and blunt book about life as an NFL agent.Mike Conklin, [https://www.chicagotribune.com/1987/10/01/sports-agent-tells-tales-on-his-own-turf/ "Sports Agent Tells Tales On His Own Turf,"] Chicago Tribune, October 01, 1987.

Johnny Rodgers was the 1972 winner of the Heisman Trophy and Trope, in 1973 at age 21 became the youngest agent in history to represent NFL players.

Over the next 12 years, between 1973 and 1985, Trope represented more NFL first round draft picks than any other agent, including six Heisman Trophy winners;Kenneth L. Shropshire and Timothy Davis, [https://www.amazon.com/The-Business-Sports-Agents-Edition/dp/0812240847/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1332315770&sr=1-1 "The Business of Sports Agents,"] Publisher: University of Pennsylvania Press, 2nd edition May 28, 2008 numerous collegiate all Americans and over 200 total contracts.

During Trope's career as a sports agent, Trope's client list included, in addition to 1972 Heisman Winner Johnny Rodgers who went first to the Canadian Football League Montreal Alouettes and later to the San Diego Chargers; 1974 and 1975 Heisman winner Archie Griffin Cincinnati Bengals' first round draft pick; the 1977 Heisman winner Tony Dorsett Dallas Cowboys first round draft pick;Greg Hansen, [https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=950&dat=19770503&id=W_8LAAAAIBAJ&sjid=S1gDAAAAIBAJ&pg=2946,378566 "Bucs Get Ricky Bell ... Dallas Gets Tony Dorsett","] The Evening Independent, May 3, 1977.A P sport writer, [https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1948&dat=19770504&id=X0chAAAAIBAJ&sjid=kn8FAAAAIBAJ&pg=1014,2120439 "Ricky Bell, Tony Dorsett are top two picks in NFL draft","] The Modesto Bee, May 4, 1977. 1978 Heisman winner and number one over all NFL draft pick Earl Campbell Houston Oilers;John Papanek, [https://archive.today/20121203044039/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1093885/4/index.htm "LET'S MAKE A DEAL,"] Sports Illustrated, July 24, 1978. 1980 Heisman winner and first round draft pick Charles White (American football) Cleveland Browns; 1983 Heisman winner and first overall draft pick in the United States Football League Mike Rozier Pittsburgh Maulers;Mike

Bruschini AP reporter, [https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2457&dat=19840110&id=qjY0AAAAIBAJ&sjid=U-EIAAAAIBAJ&pg=3209,2906173 "Maulers sign Mike Rozier to 3-year pact,"] Bangor Daily News, January 10, 1984 Heisman Trophy runner up Chuck Muncie, first round draft pick to New Orleans Saints;Bob Oates, [https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1798&dat=19770525&id=ZwIdAAAAIBAJ&sjid=OY4EAAAAIBAJ&pg=3410,4624530 "Super Agent,"] Sarasota Journal, May 25, 1977. Ricky Bell first overall NFL draft pick, Tampa Bay Buccaneers; Marvin Powell first round draft pick New York Jets;UPI staff reporter, [https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1454&dat=19770103&id=FGs0AAAAIBAJ&sjid=HxMEAAAAIBAJ&pg=5499,505875 "Dorsett, Powell up for highest bid,"] Star News, January 3, 1977. Lawrence Taylor, first round draft pick New York Giants;Associated Press, [https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9B04E1DD1738F935A15757C0A967948260 Giants' Walkout Is Hinted If Taylor Signs at His Price], The New York Times, April 26, 1981, accessed February 17, 2007. W. Clay Matthews, Jr., first round draft pick Cleveland Browns;Bruce Lowitt AP Sports Writer, [https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2457&dat=19780503&id=8M48AAAAIBAJ&sjid=QC4MAAAAIBAJ&pg=2798,919945 "No Surprises seen in NFL draft,"] Bangor Daily News, May 3, 1978. Wes Chandler, first round draft pick New Orleans Saints; Anthony Muñoz, first round draft pick Cincinnati Bengals;Jay Greenberg, [https://archive.today/20121203052302/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1136468/4/index.htm "The King Of The Block,"] Sports Illustrated, September 10, 1990. Russell Erxleben, first round draft pick New Orleans Saints.;Gary Myers AP Sports Writer, [https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1876&dat=19800424&id=a4IsAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ts0EAAAAIBAJ&pg=6587,5282370 "The Agent Game,"] Herald-Journal, April 24, 1980. Lindsey Scott first round draft pick Atlanta Falcons;Staff Sports Writer, [https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2506&dat=19800611&id=CklJAAAAIBAJ&sjid=3QkNAAAAIBAJ&pg=1393,2650495 "Sims, White Sign,"] The News and Courier, June 11, 1980.John Clayton, [https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1144&dat=19820426&id=EHodAAAAIBAJ&sjid=Cl4EAAAAIBAJ&pg=6955,6148542 "Agent Factor Makes Draft A Tougher Game,"] The Pittsburgh Press, April 26, 1982. James Lofton, first round draft pick Green Bay packers;Joe Marshall, [https://web.archive.org/web/20140429131719/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1093648/2/index.htm "It Was The Same Old Song And Dance,"] Sports Illustrated, May 15, 1978 Chris Ward, first round draft pick New York Jets;AP staff writer, [https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1964&dat=19780406&id=h_0sAAAAIBAJ&sjid=fM0FAAAAIBAJ&pg=2186,3243214 "Campbell headed to L.A.?,"] The Palm Beach Post, April 6, 1978. Al Harris, first round draft pick Chicago Bears;Terry Bannon, [https://newspaperarchive.com/daily-herald/1979-07-22/page-20 "Bear rookie meets his match in Page,"] Daily Herald, July 22, 1979. Charles Alexander first round draft pick Cincinnati Bengals; Dave Wilson supplemental first round draft pick New Orleans Saints;AP sports staff, [https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2519&dat=19810708&id=UaZdAAAAIBAJ&sjid=MF0NAAAAIBAJ&pg=2634,1062909 "Saints Draft Wilson,"] Observer-Reporter, July 8, 1981 Warren Bryant first round draft pick Atlanta Falcons; Mike Quick first round draft pick Philadelphia Eagles;AP sports staff, [https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1734&dat=19850726&id=Hu0bAAAAIBAJ&sjid=p1IEAAAAIBAJ&pg=4288,2881896 "Quick Demanding Trade,"] The Dispatch, July 26, 1985. Johnie Cooks first round draft pick Baltimore Colts; Kellen Winslow first round draft pick San Diego Chargers; Kevin Brooks first round draft pick Dallas Cowboys;Michael Kahn, [http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl/1985_21614/nfl-owners-warned-of-massive-holdout.html "NFL owners warned of massive holdout,"] The Houston Chronicle, July 9, 1985. Johnny "Lam" Jones first round draft pick New York Jets; Mike Kenn first round draft pick Atlanta Falcons;AP staff writer, [https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=348&dat=19780502&id=IwEuAAAAIBAJ&sjid=DjMDAAAAIBAJ&pg=4335,4916637 "Falcons take Kenn as No. 1 draft pick,"] Rome News Tribune, May 2, 1978 Ricky Sanford first round draft pick New England Patriots; Dennis Smith first round draft pick Denver Broncos and many other notable players.

Lawrence Taylor signed a secret deal with Donald Trump and the USFL's New Jersey Generals, which he later regretted. He asked Trope to attempt to extricate himself from the deal. Trope met with General's owner Donald Trump and the owners of the New York Giants and negotiated [a] a release for Taylor from the General's contract; and [b] a new $6 million multi-year deal for Taylor with the Giants. The negotiated deal resulted in Taylor's receiving a new $6 million plus deal with the Giants, and with Trump receiving full repayment of the $1 million interest-free loan he made to Taylor, plus a handsome profit.Bill Brubaker, [https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1986-04-07-sp-21867-story.html "Taylor Has Fame, but Needs Help : Linebacker Is Seeking Treatment for Substance Abuse,"] L.A. Times, April 07, 1986.Post Wire Service, [https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1964&dat=19840118&id=-QEtAAAAIBAJ&sjid=6s4FAAAAIBAJ&pg=1184,5543416 "Taylor Buys Out of Contract With Generals,"] The Palm Beach Post, January 18, 1984.Gerald Eskenaz, [https://www.nytimes.com/1984/01/18/sports/taylor-buys-out-generals-pact.html "Taylor Buys Out Generals' Pack,"] The New York Times Sports page 9, January 18, 1984.

Trope graduated from Loyola Law School and was admitted to the California State Bar in 1987.

Trope, as a lawyer, has represented clients in jury and non-jury trials in various matters including criminal, probate, breach of contract, wrongful death, and family law matters.

In 1988 Trope represented sports agent Lloyd Bloom in an indictment filed in federal Court,Staff writer{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1988-08-25-sp-1341-story.html|title=Cris Carter,3 Agents Face Federal Charges|work=Los Angeles Times|date=1988-08-25|access-date=2019-07-19}} In 1997 Trope represented Major League Soccer players Paul CaligiuriStaff Writer{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/03/22/sports/mls-loses-case-in-arbitration.html|title=M.L.S. Loses Case in Arbitration|work=New York Times|date=1997-03-22|accessdate=2019-07-19}}

In 2007 Trope Represented Larry Birkhead in a suit against Birkhead's former lawyer,Associated Press{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/life/people/2007-09-25-birkhead_N.htm|title=Larry Birkhead is sued by ex-lawyer|work=USA Today|date=2007-09-25|accessdate=2019-07-19}} and Pamela Bach in her divorce and custody case.Ken Lee{{cite web|url=https://people.com/celebrity/lawyer-david-hasselhoff-not-likely-to-lose-custody/|title=Lawyer:David Hasselhoff Not Likely to Lose Custody|work=People Magnazine|date=2007-10-10|accessdate=2019-07-19}}

In 2010 Trope obtained the largest recorded child support order, for one child, in the United States for client, Lisa Kerkorian, ex-wife of Las Vegas hotel magnate Kirk Kerkorian, which included a $10 million lump-sum payment of retroactive child support, along with future child support payments of $100,000 per month.Danny King, [http://www.dailyfinance.com/2010/10/22/kerkorian-child-support/ "Kerkorian to Pay More Than $10 Million in Back Child Support,"] Daily Finance, October 22, 2010.

In 2013 Trope successfully defended Randall Douthit, in a domestic abuse jury trial in which Douthit's former wife, Patric Jones, sued him for $3 million in damages plus punitive damages. On September 27, 2013 Trope obtained a jury verdict in favor of Douthit finding no liability and vindicating Douthit as to all claims. {{cite web|title=Hey Do Have any Extra Pip Poop|url=http://desperateexes.com/2013/10/04/hey-do-you-have-any-extra-pip-poop/}} In 2015 the California Appeals Court upheld the win with Appeal B254719 {{cite web|title=Michael Trope Attorney Wins Appeal B254712 for client Randall Douthit|url=http://www.rosespeaks.com/2016/04/01/michael-trope-attorney-wins-appeal-b254719-for-client-randall-douthit/}}Family Law, [http://www.calattorneysfees.com/2015/08/family-law-lower-court-denial-of-certain-attorneys-fees-was-no-abuse-of-discretion.html/ "Family Law: Lower Court Denial Of Certain Attorney’s Fees Was No Abuse Of Discretion,"] California Attorneys Fees August 7, 2015

Trope has authored two books;

• {{cite book

|others=

|title=Necessary Roughness

|url=https://archive.org/details/necessaryroughne00trop

|url-access=registration

|date= August 1987

|publisher=Contemporary Books

|location=Raleigh, NC

|isbn=9780809248162

}}

• {{cite book

|others=

|title=Once Upon a Time in Los Angeles: The Trials of Earl Rogers

|date= July 25, 2001

|publisher=The Arthur H. Clark Company

|location=Glendale, CA

|isbn=978-0870623059

}}

{{Reflist|30em}}

• [https://www.michaeltrope.com/ Michael Trope official website]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Trope, Michael L.}}

Category:1951 births

Category:American lawyers

Category:American sports agents

Category:Living people