A sports agent who represented Pete Rose during the latter part of his life has petitioned a Nevada state court to confirm the validity of a licensing agreement he claims was executed with the baseball legend in March 2023. The agreement purportedly grants the agent authority over all licensing and endorsement deals involving Rose’s name and likeness after his death.
Rose died in September 2024 without leaving a will, prompting contentious estate proceedings in Nevada. As Sportico previously reported, the process has been marked by disputes among two of his heirs. His daughter, Fawn Rose, was appointed co-administrator of the estate alongside Amber Fiechtner, a Nevada resident. However, Fawn’s role is currently being challenged by Rose’s son, Tyler, who is seeking to replace her.
The posthumous licensing agreement—previously filed with the court—entitles Tyler Rose, Rose’s other son Pete Rose II, and longtime assistant Dawn Erika Plancarte to each receive one-third of the proceeds from any future NIL deals involving the prospective Hall of Famer. The agent, Mike Maguire, would earn a 5% commission on new deals and an additional 5% for expenses.
The revenue generated from licensing rights is expected to far exceed the value of Rose’s estate, especially now that he has been reinstated by Major League Baseball. Maguire, who is based in Nevada, has worked with a number of professional athletes, including Jose Canseco and Tommy John, for whom he handles everything from fan mail to autograph requests.
In a court filing last week, Maguire argued that the signed and notarized agreement with Rose exists outside the probate process and is therefore not subject to the administration of his estate. A hearing is scheduled for Aug. 20 to determine its validity.
The one-page agreement, dated March 30, 2023, stipulates that it cannot be bought or sold without prior written consent from Maguire. However, a judge may scrutinize the document due to several handwritten amendments, including one that names Plancarte as an equal beneficiary. Plancarte also signed the agreement as a witness—an action that could raise concerns about a potential conflict of interest. The document is notarized by another individual, Jeffrey A. Klein.
Neither Fawn nor Rose’s other daughter, Cara, are included as beneficiaries to the licensing agreement. (Rose had publicly acknowledged fathering a third daughter, Morgan Erin Rubio, who is also not referenced.)
Meanwhile, Fawn has accused Maguire of operating without legal authority in pursuing NIL deals since her father’s death. In June, she asked the court for a temporary restraining order to block Maguire from using the agreement, alleging it was damaging the estate and sowing confusion. Nevada Circuit Court Judge Carolyn Ellsworth denied her request, ruling that she had failed to show how Maguire’s actions caused immediate and irreparable harm.
(This story has been updated in the fifth paragraph to clarify Maguire’s argument.)
