Andrew Brandt, the former Packers' salary cap expert who now runs an independent website - Nationalfootballpost.com - has an interesting tidbit on the Jets agreeing to re-work part of Brett Favre's contract as a way to make the trade more palatable.
According to Brandt: Favre’s agent, Bus Cook, and the Jets renegotiated the contract to consist of the identical financial terms from the Packers’ contract – 12M this year, 13M next and 14M in 2010 – and nothing more. The language concerning appearances for the club and recovery of bonus due to retirement is no longer part of the deal.
Favre, if willing, is free to make appearances on behalf of the Jets to promote the team as it starts to play in a new stadium next season, but he has no contractual obligation to do so. Favre can also retire from the Jets at any time and have no obligation to forfeit any of the bonus monies he has received (Tampa Bay recovered 3.5M from Jake Plummer after trading for a contract that required recovery upon retirement).
Brandt points out that "a renegotiation such as this could present a dangerous precedent for players who are traded and make certain non-economic demands, as well as for star players who want concessions outside of salary and bonus provisions."
Interesting stuff. We'll look into it and see what the potential ramifications are. My inintial sense is that the language was changed to make it easier for Favre to walk away after one season and not face the kind of penalties that Plummer did. The interesting part comes if Favre wants to leave the Jets and join another team - say, the Vikings, his team of choice before being dealt to the Jets.
Comments (7)
This is a ugly move by a weak front office. That said, he can retire without repercussions, but how could he leave the Jets for the Vikings?
Craig,
"how could he leave the Jets for the Vikings?"
Because he can't wait to stick it to the Packers?
UMMM...The Vikings have a shot at winning something? The Jets sure don't.
Understood, but that was not the intent of my question. How would Farve contractually leave the Jets for the Vikings? Execpting a trade, I do not see how this contractual change makes that possible.
He can retire, but he is not a FA until 2011.
Contractually he would still be bound to the Jets, who would retain his rights in a trade. I asked a high-ranking Jets official last night if the compensation was prohibitive in a trade to Minnesota (remember, the terms of the deal from Green Bay was that the Jets would surrender 3 first-round picks to the Packers if they traded him to the Vikings.) Just not sure if that would apply next year.
If Favre gets through the year and decides he does not want to play for the Jets, and he DOES want to play for the Vikings or else retire, I think they would just make the trade and move on.
Thanks.
Bob, why did you leave this incorrect statement in your post? The original writer had it wrong and when you lifted it, you didnt fix his mistake:
Favre, if willing, is free to make appearances on behalf of the Jets to promote the team as it starts to play in a new stadium next season
Jets dont play in the new stadium until 2010. I know, minor detail, I guess I expect writers to know how to proofread and get facts straight.