Is everything equal when it comes to free agent acquisitions in the NFL?
March 13th, 2007 | by Kevin Morris |
Technorati Tags: Football, NFL, Sports, St Louis Rams
A recent headline caught my attention, Allen’s Jet Helps Smooth Free Agents’ Paths To Seattle. The article goes on to explain that NFL free agent Deon Grant was “wooed” by the private jet of Microsoft co-founder and Seahawks owner Paul Allen in his trip to Seattle.
That plane ride helped convince Grant that Seattle is where he needed to be, “”It was smooth. Everyone can’t ride in a private jet, “Grant said while laughing Monday, days after he completed his six-year contract worth a reported $30 million to replace free agent Ken Hamlin as Seattle’s free safety.”
I ask, Is it fair to give the big money teams this advantage?
The NFL goes to great lengths to assure that all teams play under the same dollar figures, there is revenue sharing, salary caps, etc, etc, to assure that teams are as equal as possible.
But when a man of unfathomable wealth like Allen uses his wealth and the perks that come along with it to recruit NFL players he has a distinct advantage over other NFL clubs. These “perks” do not show up on a salary cap, the private plane rides, the weekend on the private yacht to discuss the contract, perhaps other “discounts” afforded the athlete once a contract is signed.
I am no cap expert by any means so if the NFL watches these kinds of things, somebody chime in here and set me straight.
I just know that to a 25 year old professional athlete presentation means a lot. If an athlete receives two recruiting trips for his services, one with a nice contract, first class accommodations, first class plane ride, and the chance to start for a good NFL team. And the second trip is an equally good contract offer, on a private 747 decked to the hilt with luxury items, stays in a world class condo over looking Seattle, and the chance to play on a good NFL team. 9 out of 10 athletes are playing for the second team, if there are no other extenuating circumstances.
Grant admitted that the presentation of the offer played a role in his acceptance of it. Every year Seattle attracts the top free agents to their team, they play under the same cap as the rest of the NFL but they have something that pushes them over the edge to get the players the rest of the NFL covets. Is it the Allen factor? Does an owner’s money and ability to woo free agents play a role in where they ultimately play? And if so, should the NFL allow it?
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