Expert Contributor: Matthew Allinson
Biography
As the Founder & CEO of Access Athletes, LLC and The Real Athlete Blog, Matthew Allinson's mission in life is to help athletes realize their full potential both on and off the field.
Matthew graduated from Penn State University with a double major in Labor Studies and Industrial Relations and Psychology. Following graduation, he spent a year in Kingston, Jamaica researching labor relations and political unionism as a Fulbright Scholar. Matthew then attended The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law, where he obtained his J.D. with a concentration in labor, intellectual property, and sports and entertainment law.
He has worked for the NFL Players Association and several prominent sports agents in the business.
Currently, Matthew works as a labor and entertainment attorney in DC representing tv and radio artists.
Most Recent Articles
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Tony Gonzalez Launches 1,000th Catch Twitter Contest
by Matthew Allinson 09-01-2010 02:41 PM Public Relations | News | New Media
All-Pro NFL tight end Tony Gonzalez, in conjunction with his all-natural sports nutrition company All-Pro Science, Inc, is running a neat social media campaign to celebrate his 1,000th career catch. The winner of the contest will receive an autographed glove used during the 1,000th catch game and a trip for two to Atlanta to reenact the catch with Gonzalez, along with tickets to a Falcons game.
Gonzalez is only one reception shy of becoming the seventh player in NFL history, and the first tight end, to reach the 1,000 catch milestone. He is expected to make this catch in the Falcons' season opener on Sunday, September 12 at Pittsburgh.
It's always nice to see a professional athlete thinking outside the box to reward his fans and create good will in the community. A clever and fun social media campaign like this will definitely enhance Gonzalez's brand and reputation. This underscores the importance for pro athletes to have a strong PR team. Jen Campbell, All-Pro Science's PR Director, is doing a fantastic job and this campaign will no doubt be highly successful and create tons of positive publicity for her star client.
For more details about the contest, check out the press release that Jen Campbell sent me.
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Zing Nutrition Bars: They are Deliciously Different
by Matthew Allinson 08-18-2010 10:42 AM Sports Business Review | Nutrition
Zing Nutrition Bars are quietly becoming a hit in the athletic community. NFL Pro Bowl Tight End Tony Gonzalez recently recommended Zing bars in his new book, The All-Pro Diet, co-written by sports dietitian, Mitzi Dulan. Professional sports teams such as the Stanley Cup Champion Chicago Blackhawks and the Seattle Mariners order Zing bars for their athletes. They also come highly recommended by Nancy Clark, a bestselling author and sports nutritionist formerly pictured on Wheaties cereal boxes.
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Athlete Advice: Money management a difficult lesson for NFL's rookie class
by Matthew Allinson 08-17-2010 11:19 PM Athlete Advice
We are introducing a new type of article on Access Athletes. The goal of this short column is to drop interesting tidbits of information and advice that will help athletes advance their careers. It may be a quote from an athlete, coach, journalist, or sports professional. At the end of the excerpt, I will pose a question or two for you to think about.
In a recent USA Today article about NFL players having financial difficulties, former all-pro cornerback Deion Sanders had this to say:
"My advice?...Find someone to mentor you who doesn't have their hands in your pocket."
What steps should an athlete take to find a "neutral" mentor?
Source: [Money management a difficult lesson for NFL's rookie class]
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Athlete Chat: Triple Jumper Samyr Laine
by Matthew Allinson 07-30-2010 02:50 AM Athlete Chat
Samyr Laine juggled law school and the triple jump simultaneously for the past 3 years as the ultimate student-athlete.
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Education is Key for Pro Athletes
by Matthew Allinson 07-07-2010 01:15 AM Education | Athlete Career Development | Finance
Education is a process that needs to be sustained over a period of time for elite athletes from the amateur ranks to the post-athletic career.
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BAM Testing: Breaking Down the Numbers for Elite Athletes
by Matthew Allinson 06-23-2010 06:11 PM Athlete Career Development
Standardized testing is now an integral part of your professional development as an elite athlete. BAM Testing provides all the resources you need to get reliable and valid testing.
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Athlete Chat: Daryll Clark
by Matthew Allinson 04-22-2010 01:17 AM Athlete Chat
Former Penn State star quarterback and 2010 NFL Draft Prospect spoke to Access Athletes about his collegiate career, leadership, and the NFL.
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Taking a look at GoSports Technology
by Matthew Allinson 03-20-2010 02:31 PM Athlete Services | Training
GoSports Technology offers athletes a useful combination of strength and conditioning programs, along with sports measuring tools.
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Athlete Chat: Boo Robinson
by Matthew Allinson 03-17-2010 11:01 AM Athlete Chat
2010 NFL Draft Prospect Boo Robinson is ready to show that he belongs in the NFL.
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Ask The Expert: Joseph McAuliffe, Edge Sports Academy
by Matthew Allinson 03-05-2010 10:32 AM Ask The Expert
For the 5th Edition of the Ask The Expert series, we spoke to Joseph McAuliffe of Edge Sports Academy about strength and conditioning, powerlifting, and being a drug-free athlete.
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Tips for Athletes on Speaking to the Media & More
by Matthew Allinson 03-02-2010 01:34 AM Public Relations | Image Branding | Trusted Athlete Educator
Sports broadcasting legend Roy Firestone gives athletes advice on interacting with the media and their careers.
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Interview with a Sports Professional: Roy Firestone
by Matthew Allinson 02-15-2010 01:08 AM Interview with a Sports Professional
Exclusive Interview with nationally acclaimed broadcaster and entertainer Roy Firestone.
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Athlete Chat: Baltimore Ravens Center Matt Birk
by Matthew Allinson 01-03-2010 08:08 PM Athlete Chat
We were privileged to chat with 33-year old Baltimore Ravens center Matt Birk to ask some questions about his NFL career and off-field activities, as well as to get some solid advice for the younger players out there.
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Ask The Expert: Nick Brockmeyer, Platinum Sports & Entertainment Management, LLC
by Matthew Allinson 12-21-2009 04:01 PM Ask The Expert
In the Fourth Edition of the Ask The Expert Series, we are pleased to have Nick Brockmeyer on the hot seat. Mr. Brockmeyer is an attorney, sports law professor, and the President of Platinum Sports & Entertainment Management, LLC.
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Athlete Chat: Norman Nolan
by Matthew Allinson 11-28-2009 07:24 PM Athlete Chat
In his 12th season playing pro ball overseas, Norman Nolan has become an expert at living around the world to play the game he loves. We caught up to the former University of Virginia star, who is playing in Argentina, to talk about his career.
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Attention Athletes: The Quarter-Inch Hole Is the Key to Success in Building Your Brand Online
by Matthew Allinson 11-25-2009 12:48 AM New Media | Image Branding | Athlete Services
Athletes, if you want to build a succesful brand online, hire a team of qualified professionals that will show you how to create that quarter-inch hole.
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Athlete Chat: Boise State's Winston Venable
by Matthew Allinson 11-14-2009 09:15 AM Athlete Chat
An Exclusive AA Interview with Boise State Nickelbacker Winston Venable about his long journey to become one of college football's top defensive players.
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Will Michael Crabtree live up to the hype?
by Matthew Allinson 10-25-2009 11:03 PM Athlete Representation | Trusted Athlete Educator
A look at Michael Crabtree's decision to holdout for 71 days.
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Ask The Expert: Alfred Ball, Lifemoves Health and Rehabilitation
by Matthew Allinson 10-16-2009 02:00 AM Ask The Expert
In the third edition of the Ask The Expert Series, hosted in conjunction with SportsAgentBlog, we were pleased to get the perspective of Alfred Ball, Founder and President of Lifemoves® Health and Rehabilitation.
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Ask The Expert: Stephen Rhodes, Strategic Partners Wealth Management
by Matthew Allinson 09-28-2009 04:27 PM Ask The Expert
In the second edition of the Ask The Expert Series, hosted in conjunction with SportsAgentBlog, we were privileged to have Stephen Rhodes, Managing Partner of Strategic Partners Wealth Management on the “hot seat.”
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Athlete Chat: Austin Hinton, The Time is Now for Penn State QB Daryll Clark
by Matthew Allinson 09-12-2009 04:41 PM Athlete Chat
Budding filmmaker and former Penn State football player is making a splash after his playing days with his upcoming documentary The Time is Now featuring Heisman hopeful and Penn State quarterback Daryll Clark.
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Ask The Expert: Emery B. Sheer, Berenfeld LLP
by Matthew Allinson 09-09-2009 01:26 AM Ask The Expert
In the first edition of the Ask The Expert Series, we were privileged to have Emery B. Sheer, CPA on the "hot seat." Sheer is the Managing Partner of the acclaimed South Florida-based accounting firm, Berenfeld LLP.
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Ask The Expert Series
by Matthew Allinson 08-17-2009 10:50 PM Ask The Expert | AA Site Updates
The Real Athlete Blog, a division of AccessAthletes.com, is launching the Ask The Expert series in conjunction with SportsAgentBlog (the leading resource for sports agent news) for the purpose of educating athletes.
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YouTube Athlete Video of the Week: Dewayne Wise's Catch Saves Buehrle's Perfect Game
by Matthew Allinson 07-27-2009 02:50 AM YouTube Athlete Video of the Week
Dewayne Wise made the ultimate play to save Mark Buehrle's perfect game.
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Alan Stein’s Cutting Edge Reaction, Quickness, and Agility Basketball Camp
by Matthew Allinson 07-20-2009 02:42 PM Camps | Athlete Career Development
Information about Alan Stein's Cutting Edge Reaction, Quickness, and Agility Basketball Camp, presented by One on One Basketball Training.
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YouTube Athlete Video of the Week: Martellus Bennett's Black Olympics
by Matthew Allinson 07-18-2009 07:09 PM YouTube Athlete Video of the Week
Martellus Bennett is at it again with this Black Olympics video on his YouTube Channel Marty B TV.
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Sports Business Review: Athletes can use LinkedIn to build a powerful network
by Matthew Allinson 07-12-2009 11:53 PM Athlete Career Development | Sports Business Review
As athletes are flocking to Twitter to open accounts and tweet with their fans, there is only a small contingent of them who have joined the professional networking website LinkedIn. In this review, we share the powerful principles of networking contained in the book LinkedWorking that will assist you in building a powerful network. Based on each principle, I also include Access Athlete's advice for how to better network as an athlete.
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Interview with Matthew Allinson, www.sportshealthcounseling.com
by Matthew Allinson 06-18-2009 12:54 AM AA Site Updates
Sports Psychology Consultant Susan Zaro's interview with me about Access Athletes.
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Athlete Chat: Alcorn State University Cornerback Roderick Williams
by Matthew Allinson 06-12-2009 11:29 PM Athlete Career Development | Athlete Chat
Alcorn State University cornerback, Roderick Williams, hopes to hear his name called in the 2010 NFL Draft. He talks about his big dreams and the mentoring he has received from NFL legend and Hall of Famer, Darrell Green, along his journey.
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Martellus Bennett Likes Eating Pots of Cereal
by Matthew Allinson 06-05-2009 11:53 AM Nutrition
You think professional athletes have top-notch nutritional habits? Think again.
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Athlete Chat: Milwaukee Bucks Charlie Villanueva
by Matthew Allinson 05-26-2009 01:03 AM Sports Business | Philanthropy | Education | Athlete Services | Athlete Representation | Athlete Career Development | Athlete Chat
An exclusive Access Athletes interview with Milwaukee Bucks forward Charlie Villanueva about The Charlie Villanueva Foundation, NBA life, and the player-agent relationship and his bond with superagent Jeff Schwartz of Excel Sports Management.
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Athlete Chat: Kelvin Amayo
by Matthew Allinson 04-29-2009 01:22 AM Athlete Career Development | Athlete Chat
Last season, Amayo was a key reserve for St. Benedict's Prep (Newark, NJ), averaging nearly 13 ppg, 5 apg, and 4 rpg. The 6-foot-4, 195-pound sophomore sensation is an explosive point guard out to prove that his name belongs with the nation's elite.
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Athlete Chat: St. Patrick's Derrick Gordon
by Matthew Allinson 04-15-2009 02:00 AM Recruiting | Human Relations | Athlete Career Development | Athlete Chat
As the self-proclaimed “defensive playmaker,” basketball player Derrick Gordon has made his mark amidst the star-studded St. Patrick High School lineup and is going to be one of the top juniors in the nation next year.
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The Celebrity Draft Classic - NFL 2009
by Matthew Allinson 04-09-2009 02:00 AM Special Event
DSA Media Group, Destined For Success Management, MOVES Magazine announce, by invitation only, "The Celebrity Draft Classic", taking place on April 23, in celebration of the 2009 NFL Draft.
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The Real Athlete Blog's One-Year Anniversary!!!
by Matthew Allinson 03-21-2009 03:00 AM AA Site Updates | Trusted Athlete Educator | Athlete Career Development
The Real Athlete Blog celebrates its one-year anniversary.
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Sports Industry Employment Opportunity: ESPN Is Seeking Talented Sports Journalists
by Matthew Allinson 03-09-2009 02:00 AM
Passionate about professional team sports? Consider turning your passion into a CAREER! ESPN, the worldwide leader in sports, is looking for people with diverse backgrounds, education, experience, and elite-level knowledge of professional team sports.
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Sports Forum: New York County Lawyers Association Sports Law Forum
by Matthew Allinson 03-08-2009 03:00 AM Legal | Image Branding | Education | Crisis Management | Athlete Representation | Special Event | Sports Business
The forum is about the representation of athletes in individualized (as opposed to team) sports in negotiations and the maintenance of endorsement and sponsorship deals.
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Athlete Chat: Ex-NFL Player Tommy Polley
by Matthew Allinson 01-29-2009 02:00 AM Athlete Chat
Athlete Chat with Tommy Polley: High school prep all-american in football and top 60 basketball prospect at Dunbar; Star LB at FSU and National Champion; 6-year NFL career; and life as a businessman with Big Vision Films.
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Tebow is coming back...Loyalty wins out.
by Matthew Allinson 01-12-2009 02:00 AM Athlete Career Development | News
In today's world of college sports, it's rare to see a player of Tebow's stature return for his final year.
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Athlete Chat: MLS Players Chris & Stephen Wondolowski
by Matthew Allinson 01-07-2009 02:00 AM Athlete Chat
MLS soccer players, Chris and Stephen Wondolowski are teammates on the Houston Dynamo and discuss how they selected their agent and the Major League Soccer Players Union.
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Athlete Chat: Pro-Skater Darren Harper ("D-Streets")
by Matthew Allinson 11-29-2008 02:00 AM Athlete Chat
Athlete Chat with Pro-Skateboarder Darren Harper of DGK Skateboards, DC Shoe Company, and Famous Stars and Straps Clothing.
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Baltimore Ravens Linebacker Terrell Suggs Workout
by Matthew Allinson 11-16-2008 02:00 AM Training
Terrell Suggs reveals his workout in an interview with FHM Online Magazine.
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Athlete Press Release: Ray Lewis & Antwaan Randle El Host Allied Athlete Group, Inc. Reception
by Matthew Allinson 10-21-2008 02:00 AM Athlete Services | Special Event
Baltimore Ravens's Ray Lewis and Washington Redskins' Antwaan Randle El Host Allied Athlete Group, Inc. Launch Reception in Baltimore
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Athlete Services: Arkansas Sports Performance Center Pro Football Combine/Pro-Day Training Programs
by Matthew Allinson 10-19-2008 02:00 AM Athlete Services
The Real Athlete Blog features services available to athletes to help improve their athletic performances.
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Athlete Press Release: Terrell Suggs Charity Event
by Matthew Allinson 10-17-2008 02:00 AM Special Event
Celebs, Tigers and Ravens Oh My! Terrell Suggs Brings Las Vegas Nightlife Entertainment to Baltimore Charity Weekend
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Athlete Chat: Marcus "Money" Crenshaw
by Matthew Allinson 10-04-2008 02:00 AM Athlete Chat | Athlete Representation | Education
The former California State University, Fullerton guard talks about pursuing a professional basketball career in Europe.
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Vote for Austin Hair!
by Matthew Allinson 08-27-2008 02:00 AM News
2008 Wakeworld.com Riders Choice Awards
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Athlete Chat: Terry Threatt
by Matthew Allinson 08-18-2008 02:00 AM Athlete Chat | Recruiting
How to overcome the pitfalls of the college recruitment process.
