Michael Lance "Mike" Trope (born 1951), is a

Los Angeles Los Angeles ( ; es, Los Ángeles, link=no , ), often referred to by its initials L.A., is the largest city in the state of California and the second most populous city in the United States after New York City, as well as one of the world' ...

based trial lawyer and former sports agent for over 200 NFL players.Bill Brubaker
"Trope: 'It's a game that has no rules' ,"
''New York Daily Times,'' April 14, 1983. Trope was a sports agent from the time he was a 21-year-old senior at

University of Southern California The University of Southern California (USC, SC, or Southern Cal) is a Private university, private research university in Los Angeles, California, United States. Founded in 1880 by Robert M. Widney, it is the oldest private research university in C ...

, USC, in 1972 until he retired from the business in 1985. Subsequently, after Trope's graduation from

Loyola Law School Loyola Law School is the law school of Loyola Marymount University, a private Catholic university in Los Angeles, California. Loyola was established in 1920. Academics Degrees offered include the Juris Doctor (JD); Master of Science in Legal ...

, he was admitted to practice law in California in 1987. As an agent for football stars, Trope was known for negotiating record breaking contracts in the 1970s, including the first million dollar package for an NFL rookie. This caused many publications to refer to Trope, still in his 20s, as a Super Agent by 1977,Ron Martz
"Just call him 'Super Agent',"
''St. Petersburg Times,'' May 4, 1977 as well as "Whiz Kid"Patrick Zier
"Rickey Bell:'It Can't Get Worse',"
''Lakeland Ledger,'' May 4, 1977. and "LA's Boy Wonder".Paul Zimmerman

''Sports Illustrated,'' April 28, 1980. Trope is the son of legendary Los Angeles Trial lawyer and philanthropist, Sorrell Trope.

Biography

Early years

Trope graduated from

Palisades Charter High School Palisades Charter High School (usually colloquially known as Pali or Pali High and abbreviated as PCHS) is an independent charter secondary school in Los Angeles, United States. The high school serves the neighborhoods of Pacific Palisades, ...

in 1969 and graduated magna cum laude from USC with a major in history in 1973.Sue Ellen Jares
"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

in 1983 and was admitted to the California State Bar in 1987.

Professional life

In 1971, 20-year-old USC junior, Trope, decided he wanted to be an agent after watching

Johnny Rodgers Johnny Steven Rodgers (born July 5, 1951) is an American former football player. He played college football for the Nebraska Cornhuskers and won the Heisman Trophy in 1972. Rodgers played professionally in the Canadian Football League (CFL) ...

complete a punt return for 72 yards and a touchdown against the

University of Oklahoma The University of Oklahoma (OU) is a Public university, public research university in Norman, Oklahoma. Founded in 1890, it had existed in Oklahoma Territory near Indian Territory for 17 years before the two Territories became the state of Oklahom ...

, thus leading the

Nebraska Nebraska () is a state in the Midwestern region of the United States. It is bordered by South Dakota to the north; Iowa to the east and Missouri to the southeast, both across the Missouri River; Kansas to the south; Colorado to the southwe ...

Cornhuskers The Nebraska Cornhuskers (often abbreviated to Huskers) are the intercollegiate athletic teams that represent the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. The university is a member of the Big Ten Conference, and the Cornhuskers compete in NCAA Divis ...

to the NCAA national football championship. Rodgers won the

Heisman Trophy The Heisman Memorial Trophy (usually known colloquially as the Heisman Trophy or The Heisman) is awarded annually to the most outstanding player in college football. Winners epitomize great ability combined with diligence, perseverance, and hard ...

and Trope, at age 21 signed Rodgers as his first client and became the youngest agent in history to represent NFL players.Joe Marshall
"This Agent's No Secret,"
''Sports Illustrated,'' May 16, 1977. After graduating from

in 1983 Trope retired as an NFL agent in 1985. Trope was admitted to the

California State Bar The State Bar of California is California's official attorney licensing agency. It is responsible for managing the admission of lawyers to the practice of law, investigating complaints of professional misconduct, prescribing appropriate disciplin ...

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
"Sports Agent Tells Tales On His Own Turf,"
''Chicago Tribune,'' October 01, 1987.

Sports Agent

was the 1972 winner of the

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 The Heisman Trophy, one of the highest individual awards in American college football, has been awarded 86 times since its creation in 1935, including 85 unique winners and one two-time winner. The trophy is given annually to the most outstandin ...

;Kenneth L. Shropshire and Timothy Davis
"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 The Canadian Football League (CFL; french: Ligue canadienne de football—LCF) is a professional sports league in Canada. The CFL is the highest level of competition in Canadian football. The league consists of nine teams, each located in a ci ...

Montreal Alouettes The Montreal Alouettes (Canadian French, French: Les Alouettes de Montréal) are a professional Canadian football team based in Montreal, Quebec. Founded in 1946, the team has folded and been revived twice. The Alouettes compete in the Canadian F ...

and later to the

San Diego Chargers The San Diego Chargers were a professional American football team that played in San Diego from 1961 until the end of the 2016 season, before relocating to Los Angeles, where the franchise had played its inaugural 1960 season. The team is now ...

; 1974 and 1975 Heisman winner

Archie Griffin Archie Mason Griffin (born August 21, 1954) is a former American football running back. He played seven seasons in the NFL with the Cincinnati Bengals. As college football's only two-time Heisman Trophy winner, he is considered one of the grea ...

Cincinnati Bengals The Cincinnati Bengals are a professional American football team based in Cincinnati. The Bengals compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member club of the league's American Football Conference (AFC) AFC North, North division. The c ...

' first round draft pick; the 1977 Heisman winner

Tony Dorsett Anthony Drew Dorsett Sr. (born April 7, 1954) is a former American football running back who played professionally in the National Football League (NFL) for the Dallas Cowboys and Denver Broncos. From Western Pennsylvania, Dorsett attended the ...

Dallas Cowboys The Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football team based in the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex. The Cowboys compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member club of the league's National Football Conference (NFC) East divisi ...

first round draft pick; 1978 Heisman winner and number one over all NFL draft pick

Earl Campbell Earl Christian Campbell (born March 29, 1955), nicknamed "the Tyler Rose", is an American former professional football player who played as a running back in the National Football League (NFL) for the Houston Oilers and New Orleans Saints. Kn ...

Houston Oilers The Houston Oilers were a professional American football team that played in Houston from its founding in 1960 to 1996 before relocating to Memphis, and later Nashville, Tennessee becoming the Tennessee Titans. The Oilers began play in 1960 as ...

; 1980 Heisman winner and first round draft pick

Charles White (American football) Charles Raymond White (born January 22, 1958) is a former professional American football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL) for nine seasons during the 1980s. He played college football for the University of ...

Cleveland Browns The Cleveland Browns are a professional American football team based in Cleveland. Named after original coach and co-founder Paul Brown, they compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member club of the American Football Conference ( ...

; 1983 Heisman winner and first overall draft pick in the

United States Football League The United States Football League (USFL) was a professional American football league that played for three seasons, 1983 through 1985. The league played a spring/summer schedule in each of its active seasons. The 1986 season was scheduled to be ...

Mike Rozier Michael T. Rozier (born March 1, 1961) is a former American college and professional football player who was a running back in the United States Football League (USFL) for two seasons and the National Football League (NFL) for seven seasons duri ...

Pittsburgh Maulers; Heisman Trophy runner up

Chuck Muncie Harry Vance "Chuck" Muncie (March 17, 1953 − May 13, 2013) was an American professional football player who was a running back for the New Orleans Saints and San Diego Chargers in the National Football League (NFL) from 1976 to 1984. He was ...

, first round draft pick to

New Orleans Saints The New Orleans Saints are a professional American football team based in New Orleans. The Saints compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the league's National Football Conference (NFC) South division. Since 1975, the te ...

; Ricky Bell first overall NFL draft pick,

Tampa Bay Buccaneers The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are a professional American football team based in Tampa, Florida. The Buccaneers compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member club of the league's National Football Conference (NFC) NFC South, South divisio ...

;

Marvin Powell Marvin Powell Jr. (August 30, 1955 – September 30, 2022) was an American professional football player who was an offensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL) for the New York Jets and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He played college football ...

first round draft pick

New York Jets The New York Jets are a professional American football team based in the New York metropolitan area. The Jets compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member club of the league's American Football Conference (AFC) East division. The J ...

;

Lawrence Taylor Lawrence Julius Taylor (born February 4, 1959), nicknamed "L.T.", is an American former professional football player who spent his entire career as an outside linebacker for the New York Giants ( 1981–1993) in the National Football League (NF ...

, first round draft pick

New York Giants The New York Giants are a professional American football team based in the New York metropolitan area. The Giants compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member club of the league's National Football Conference (NFC) East division. ...

; W. Clay Matthews, Jr., first round draft pick

;

Wes Chandler Wesley Sandy Chandler (born August 22, 1956) is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL) for eleven seasons during the 1970s and 1980s. He was selected to the Pro Bowl four t ...

, first round draft pick New Orleans Saints;

Anthony Muñoz Michael Anthony Muñoz (born August 19, 1958) is an American former professional football player who was an offensive tackle for 13 seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the US ...

, first round draft pick

;

Russell Erxleben Russell Erxleben (born January 13, 1957) is a former American football player and currency investor. He shares the record for the longest successful field goal in NCAA history at 67 yards (with tee), which he set in 1977 while playing for the Uni ...

, first round draft pick New Orleans Saints.; Lindsey Scott first round draft pick

Atlanta Falcons The Atlanta Falcons are a professional American football team based in Atlanta. The Falcons compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member club of the league's National Football Conference (NFC) South division. The Falcons joined th ...

;John Clayton
"Agent Factor Makes Draft A Tougher Game,"
''The Pittsburgh Press,'' April 26, 1982.

James Lofton James David Lofton (born July 5, 1956) is an American former professional football player and coach. He is a former coach for the San Diego Chargers but is best known for his years in the National Football League as a wide receiver for the Gre ...

, first round draft pick

Green Bay packers The Green Bay Packers are a professional American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member club of the National Football Conference (NFC) NFC North, North division. It ...

;Joe Marshall
"It Was The Same Old Song And Dance,"
''Sports Illustrated,'' May 15, 1978 Chris Ward, first round draft pick

; Al Harris, first round draft pick

Chicago Bears The Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago. The Bears compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member club of the league's National Football Conference (NFC) North division. The Bears have won nine NF ...

; Charles Alexander first round draft pick

; Dave Wilson supplemental first round draft pick New Orleans Saints; Warren Bryant first round draft pick Atlanta Falcons;

Mike Quick Michael Anthony Quick (born May 14, 1959) is a color commentator and former American football wide receiver. He played professionally in the National Football League (NFL) with the Philadelphia Eagles for nine seasons, from 1982 to 1990. Quick ...

first round draft pick

Philadelphia Eagles The Philadelphia Eagles are a professional American football team based in Philadelphia. The Eagles compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member club of the league's National Football Conference (NFC) East division. The team plays ...

; Johnnie Cooks first round draft pick

Baltimore Colts The Baltimore Colts were a professional American football team that played in Baltimore from its founding in 1953 to 1984. The team now plays in Indianapolis, as the Indianapolis Colts. The team was named for Baltimore's history of horse breed ...

;

Kellen Winslow Kellen Boswell Winslow Sr. (born November 5, 1957) is an American former professional football player in the National Football League (NFL). A member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame (1995), he is widely recognized as one of the greatest tight ...

first round draft pick San Diego Chargers; Kevin Brooks first round draft pick Dallas Cowboys; Johnny "Lam" Jones first round draft pick New York Jets;

Mike Kenn Michael Lee Kenn (born February 9, 1956) is an American former professional football player who spent his entire 17-year career as an offensive tackle for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League (NFL) from 1978 to 1994. He played ...

first round draft pick Atlanta Falcons; Ricky Sanford first round draft pick

New England Patriots The New England Patriots are a professional American football team based in the Greater Boston area. They compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member club of the league's American Football Conference (AFC) AFC East, East divisio ...

; Dennis Smith first round draft pick Denver Broncos and many other notable players. Lawrence Taylor signed a secret deal with

Donald Trump Donald John Trump (born June 14, 1946) is an American politician, media personality, and businessman who served as the 45th president of the United States from 2017 to 2021. Trump graduated from the Wharton School of the University of Pe ...

and the USFL's

New Jersey Generals The New Jersey Generals were a franchise of the United States Football League (USFL) established in 1982 to begin play in the spring and summer of 1983. The team played three seasons from 1983 to 1985, winning 31 regular season games and losing ...

, 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

and negotiated a release for Taylor from the General's contract; and 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.

Trial Lawyer

Trope graduated from

and was admitted to the

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, In 1997 Trope represented Major League Soccer players

Paul Caligiuri Paul David Caligiuri (born March 9, 1964) is an American former soccer player who played as a defensive midfielder. Caligiuri's professional career spanned 16 years, during which he played for numerous teams in the United States and Germany, ...

In 2007 Trope Represented

Larry Birkhead The Dannielynn Hope Marshall Birkhead paternity case, a.k.a. ''Birkhead v. Marshall'', centered on a child born September 7, 2006 to Vickie Lynn Marshall (better known as Anna Nicole Smith). The child was named Dannielynn, and was registered on h ...

in a suit against Birkhead's former lawyer, and

Pamela Bach Pamela Bach (born Pamela Ann Weissenbach), also known as Pamela Bach-Hasselhoff, is an American actress. Early life Bach is from Tulsa, Oklahoma, the second of three daughters. Her mother was a model, and she also modeled as a teenager. She atte ...

in her divorce and custody case. 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 Kerkor Kerkorian ( hy, Գրիգոր Գրիգորեան; June 6, 1917 – June 15, 2015) was an American businessman, investor, and philanthropist. He was the president and CEO of Tracinda Corporation, his private holding company based in Beverl ...

, which included a $10 million lump-sum payment of retroactive child support, along with future child support payments of $100,000 per month. 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. In 2015 the California Appeals Court upheld the win with Appeal B254719 Family Law
"Family Law: Lower Court Denial Of Certain Attorney’s Fees Was No Abuse Of Discretion,"
''California Attorneys Fees'' August 7, 2015

Books and Media

Trope has authored two books; * *

References

External links

Michael Trope official website
{{DEFAULTSORT:Trope, Michael L. 1951 births American lawyers Living people