Reggie Bush $$$
Vince Young, the #3 overall pick in this years NFL draft signed his rookie contract today, preventing a holdout that might have occurred when the Tennessee Titans open their training camp tomorrow. Young signed a five-year contract (the sixth year is an option) with a guaranteed $25.7 million. The contract is potentially worth $58 million if other performance bonuses are met - more than the contract #1 overall pick Mario Williams signed.
Vince Young has at least 25.7 million reasons to smile
Reggie Bush (who should have been the #1 overall pick) wasn’t going to take less money than what Williams got ($54 million over 6 years), and he certainly won’t take less than what the pick below him got. It is rumoured that the New Orleans owner promised Bush a contract that was identical to Williams’ moments after the New Orleans Saints took Bush with the #2 overall pick. New Orleans and Bush are still hashing out a contract, but New Orleans talks no doubt just got harder after Vince Young’s contract details were released. The Saints need to sign Bush more than Bush needs to sign with them (as horrible as that sounds). I have a feeling that Bush definitely won’t take anything less than a $60 million contract, but time will most definitely tell what happens. If Bush wants to play hardball, he doesn’t have to sign and can re-enter next year’s draft, but New Orleans doesn’t want to lose the most talented player in years and will definitely show him the cash.
Saints fans will be hoping to see Bush in action this year
I can’t get my head around the amount of money professional athletes make in the U.S. (NFL, MLB, NBA). What is even worse is the amount of players that complain about their financial situation being a disaster. Giving rookies big contracts like this is part of the problem. They haven’t done anything to prove their professional worth, but many of them are signing contracts that guarantee them millions upon millions of dollars. If a player proves their worth, then I’m all for them cashing in, but to see players bicker with teams over money before they have actually played professionally is disgusting. The NFL should introduce a payscale for rookies that is similar to that of the NBA. NBA rookies know what they are going to make as soon as they are drafted; however, the NBA has guaranteed contracts, whereas the NFL does not - another reason rookies try to get as much as they can in the beginning.
Reggie Bush also has a bit of a PR problem. See: “Reggie Bush. My Mom’s Upset With You.”
I can only imagine what the people of that city think of him at the moment. He would have been better off signing a contract and not creating any controversy with his selfish behavior. He’s going to have very little goodwill with the city of New Orleans once the season starts. Of course all will be forgiven if he has an incredible season.
Amen, preach on. I’ve long felt that pro sports athletes should have those fat contracts include clauses that allow for cuts or incentives based on performance. i.e. “For every x minutes of play, you will be expected to provide x points, tackles, blocked shots or whatever.” Its ridiculous that they get paid like that despite their performance. And its in all of the big three American sports.
The ’signing bonus’ is the biggest load of crap. If you’re a star and you expect to get paid the big money up front, I believe that if you don’t perform you should not expect the big payday. Every contract should (like you said) have a performance clause in it - if you don’t live up to your value, you don’t get paid at your value etc. I bet you wouldn’t see players half-assing it like you do currently.