Grandson of Tennis Legend Bobby Riggs Sentenced to 20 Years for Sexual Exploitation of Teenage Athletes

The grandson of tennis icon Bobby Riggs has been sentenced to 20 years in federal prison for the sexual exploitation of minors he coached in Florida.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 18, 2026, 9:53 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from PEOPLE

Betrayal of Mentorship at Fort Lauderdale Tennis Center

A federal judge has handed down a 20-year prison sentence to Daniel James Riggs for the systemic sexual exploitation of young athletes under his care. Operating through "Team Riggs" at a prominent Fort Lauderdale tennis facility, the 33-year-old used his storied family name and coaching position to gain the trust of parents and students alike. U.S. District Judge Melissa Damian delivered the sentence on Thursday, March 12, following a harrowing investigation that revealed how Riggs transitioned from an athletic mentor to a predator.

Digital Grooming and Transnational Abuse Revealed

The prosecution’s case detailed a sophisticated grooming process that relied heavily on social media. Riggs reportedly utilized multiple anonymous profiles to engage a 15-year-old and a 16-year-old student in sexually explicit conversations. Beyond digital harassment, federal investigators uncovered evidence that Riggs sexually abused at least one minor during domestic and international travel for tennis tournaments. To evade detection, he instructed his victims to delete their communication history, though law enforcement successfully recovered records through subscriber and billing data.

Guilty Plea and Mandatory Post-Release Supervision

Riggs pleaded guilty to two counts of coercion and enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity. In addition to the 20-year term in federal prison, the plea agreement mandates that Riggs register as a permanent sex offender upon his release. U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones emphasized that the length of the sentence reflects the gravity of the betrayal, noting that Riggs exploited the very guidance and character development that coaches are entrusted to provide.