Teams are holding off on paying rookies to keep them as focused as possible. Jack Bechta
The are several owners and General Managers who purposely hold back signing bonuses to rookies as long as they can get away with it. The motivation to do so is to prevent them from relaxing their workout routines and using their signing bonus for partying fuel.
Although the pace of signings for later round players is moving about 15% faster than last year, it doesn’t mean that the flow of signing bonus cash is moving at the same rate. Usually, when a player signs his deal, it can take up to 10 business days to get the signing bonus check. Furthermore, teams rarely pay out the whole bonus at once. For example, the Cardinals, who have just two late picks signed thus far, have been known to painfully prolong the bonus payout over three years. The Eagles, on the other hand, are more generous and are all about getting the deal done and trusting their player to do the right things.
To date, the Cowboys, Colts, Jaguars, Saints, and Raiders have no draft picks signed.
For the majority of first- and second-rounders, of which only one has signed, only a portion of their signing bonuses will be paid right about the same time camp begins. Several GMs and head coaches believe that once their players get a pocket full of cash it could mean party time, lots of time cruising in their new ride, sharing the wealth with the boys and cutting back on the workouts.
I had one GM tell me that he “likes keeping the rookies poor and hungry until camp.” Thus, his orders to the salary cap manager are, “Don’t even start negotiations until after the July 4th weekend.”
If it were up to the agents, all the rookie deals would be done within a few weeks after the draft. The players would have their money, the financial consultants could start their planning, and the players could get set up in their new city.
IconUnfortunate incidents, like the one involving Chad Jones, make front offices extremely nervous.
However, with the possibility of the Giants losing their $826,000 signing bonus, or at least a prorated portion thereof, to rookie Chad Jones after the unfortunate car accident last month, the reasoning behind teams holding out is clear. The incident, which took place at 5:00am in New Orleans, happened when Jones was with two buddies and lost control of his new Range Rover, resulting in a potential career-ending injury. Even though there was no evidence of partying or alcohol contributing to the accident, and the young men could just as easily have been heading to an early workout as coming back from a long night out, it is easy for teams to jump to conclusions and just assume that his was a case of the player having a little fun. This situation could incentivize even more front offices to slow play rookie negotiations right up to camp and keep their rookies feeling insecure and hungry.
So don’t be surprised if you see more teams next year taking their time in getting their rookies paid.
Ready for fantasy football? Click here to purchase the Total Access Pass/ Draft Guide from the NFP.
Follow me on Twitter: @jackbechta
Don't agents, banks, whoever else front rookies money prior to signing? Draft day green room is always full of $5k Armani suits and Rolexes. Troy Polamalu is the only rookie I've ever heard/seen roll up to minicamp in a Kia. Everyone else is in brand new tricked out SUVs, luxury, or sports cars, months before the first contract is inked. They're getting the money somewhere. Probably pennies on the dollar for R1 picks, but past that, a healthy chunk of dough. I don't think there's any shortage of people out there willing to lend/front these players money before they get paid, so I doubt that's a legit reason for delaying negotiations. Guessing owners would prefer to earn every last nickel of interest on that signing bonus before they absolutely have to part it. Don't blame them. Just like any other business.
I'm sorry but don't think that's the main reason for it. The good managed teams do not sign rookies because it allows them to look at other guys in OTAs, that could not be there if you start signing the rookies and get to the 80 players limit.
Jack,
Once the contract is signed is there specific time period for which the initial signing bonus must be paid by? Is actions descriped above by managment regulated by the CBA?
Sign the deals, stagger the pay with LTBE prorations.
Several teams wait just to draw interest off the quarter their money will mature, that can meet payroll for service work essential to staffing an Organization. Especially for a fiscal year and past certain tax return times,etc.
Rico, yes! agents and finacial types do hand out loans for daily living expense and maybe even a car payment. however, getting that contract signed leads to the big exhale for the players.
John, payouts for signing bonuses are negotiated. they can be paid the same day but usually on the the next pay period.
royd, you are correct. unsigned players do NOT count against the 80 man roster but its never the main factor to delaying the signings. teams do take advantage of bringing in some guys but they are usually pre-camp bodies.
Nice reporting Betcha, to bad the Raiders signed their 3rd and 4th round picks last week. Good fact checking to you and your editor.
Well,
to be honest, it seems that rookies get those huge guaranteed contracts and this is the whole reason why veterans are jammed. Nevertheless, if you're talking about signing bonuses, rookies have to get to camp and make whatever concessions they have to in my humble opinion. I'm just glad you're an agent of integrity and never fail to tell, we, the fans, exactly what's going on.
This is just brilliant - let's teach (and enforce through actual experience) our Rookies to disregard what they're taught in the Player Development programs, especially as it relates to all that financial discipline crap. As owners and as a league, we are going to put you in a position where you HAVE TO make unsavory, incorrect decisions on Day 1. Who needs to earn their money before they spend it? Certainly not the Rookies. Instead, borrow tons of money, probably at usuary rates, and then "make it up" later after you sign the deal and get paid. Spend now, get paid later! That's the American dream.
Whatever the reasons, I think a player who was drafted by a team and is then strung along in the contract negotiation process has every right to sit out of camp. You're not going to pay me, or even discuss paying me, I'm not playing. As a professional in a non-sports industry, I NEVER provide unpaid consulting, and neither should the players. It's just another incidence of the antagonistic approach that unfortunately has overwhelmed the industry. You want to deal fairly with me, I'll deal fairly with you. It's that simple. But don't expect me to work when you're not going to pay me for that work. In fact, better yet. Pay me based on my performance on the field, and let me figure out whether I'm going to take this opportunity seriously or squander it. At the end of the day, it's my choice anyway.
Jack, do you ever advocate a Rookie sit out of camp as a negotiating tactic? Do your players ask about that tactic, and if so, how do you respond to them? Does this crap come into play in anyway with future negotiations with that team for the same player or other players (ie, do you have a long memory)?
good post!!Thanks for your suggestion!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
They should be given enough to at least get set up with a place to live and car without resorting to loan sharks. That way they are not spending time on that stuff during the season.
When it comes to Super Bowl tickets,...
QB took road less traveled, hiring...
Introducing three more rounds...
A GM’s draft choices, hires and...
Stanford used to have a reputation...
Jul 12, 2010
02:49 PM
Satori:
"So why even give a rookie a signing bonus for putting his name on a document?"
Because it is a business and the agents will insist on a signing bonus. In a livelihood as dangerous and unpredictable as football, they'd be crazy not to insist on as much guaranteed money as their bargaining position allows.
"Giving them a check for writing their name is how they got through college, now its time to raise the bar in the NFL. "
As college athletes, they earned their scholarship. They earned it with their play in high school and their play every year in college.
"They were 'given' a scholarship, they have to EARN a paycheck."
Even with the quotes around given, your statement is still idiotic.
-------------------
It is funny how stupid people are willing to be to side against athletes...