Unveiling Unusual Athlete Contract Clauses: Quirks and Stories

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Athlete contracts are often complex documents that outline the terms and conditions under which athletes are signed by teams or organizations. While many clauses in these contracts are straightforward and cover the usual aspects of compensation, performance expectations and endorsements, some unusual and intriguing clauses have made their way into athlete contracts. In this blog post, we explore some of the tricky language, these strange clauses, and the stories behind them.

Some athlete contracts contain clauses that prohibit players from engaging in specific activities or behaviors. For example, clauses may restrict athletes from participating in high-risk activities such as riding hot air balloons, skateboarding, or motorcycles, potentially resulting in injuries that may affect their performance or availability to the team.

Then some athletes like Michael Jordan have enough bargaining power to get some interesting inclusions in their causes. One of the greatest basketball players of all time had a clause in his contract that allowed him to play pick-up basketball games whenever he desired, which is a no-no for most players due to the risk of injury. This unusual inclusion showcased Jordan's love for the game and his desire to stay sharp and competitive even outside of official team practices and games.

Rollie Fingers, a former pitcher for the Oakland Athletics (MLB – Major League Baseball), had a unique clause in his contract related to his iconic mustache. The team's owner, Charlie Finley, offered players a bonus to grow mustaches, and Fingers accepted the challenge. In the subsequent contract negotiations, Fingers secured a $100 mustache wax allowance to maintain his signature look.

In some cases, the team has an unusual inclusion, like in the case of Eddie Lacy. The Seattle Seahawks (NFL – National Football League) offered running back Lacy a unique incentive to help him improve his performance. Lacy had struggled with weight gain, which he blamed on an affinity for Chinese takeout, and the team included a stipulation in his contract that required him to reach and maintain a specific weight. If Lacy could cut his weight from the 267 pounds reported during his free-agent visits in March to 245 pounds by September — and keep it there until December — the Seahawks would pay him an additional $385,000 that year.

Here are a few key terms for you to talk shop:

1.     Free Agency and Unrestricted Free Agency: One standard inclusion in athlete contracts is a provision that defines what it means to be a free agent or an unrestricted free agent. A free agent refers to a player, not under contract with any team and is free to negotiate and sign with any team they choose. An unrestricted free agent has completed the terms of their agreement and is free to deal with any team without any restrictions or limitations.

2.     Guaranteed Money: Guaranteed money refers to the portion of an athlete's contract that is assured to be paid to them, regardless of their performance or other circumstances. This provides financial security to the athlete even if they are injured or their performance declines. Guaranteed money is often a significant factor in contract negotiations and can vary greatly depending on the athlete's reputation, skills, and market demand.

3.     Luxury Tax and Salary Cap: The luxury tax and salary cap are financial mechanisms used in professional sports leagues to promote competitive balance and financial stability. The luxury tax, prevalent in MLB, is imposed on teams whose total player salaries exceed a predetermined threshold. In contrast, the salary cap sets a maximum limit on the total payroll that a team can allocate to its players. These clauses prevent teams from overspending and gaining an unfair competitive advantage.

4.     Deferred Payments: Deferred payments refer to a clause in a contract that allows a portion of an athlete's earnings to be paid later instead of immediately. This can be advantageous for teams facing financial constraints or athletes looking to maximize their earning potential over an extended period. However, it also means that the athlete will receive the deferred portion of their compensation later.

5.     Franchise Tag: The franchise tag is a clause used in professional sports leagues that allows teams to retain the rights to a player for one additional season, even if the player's contract has expired. The franchise tag is typically used on key players to ensure they remain with the team for at least another season, providing stability and preventing them from becoming free agents.

From weight loss incentives to mustache wax allowances, these strange clauses add a touch of uniqueness and personalization to athlete contracts. They remind us that professional sports are not just about the game but also the personalities and quirks that make each athlete distinct.

The Future of College Sports: Exploring Name, Image and Likeness with MOGL CEO + Founder Ayden Syal

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We had the pleasure of interviewing Ayden Syal, the CEO and founder of MOGL, a leading name, image and likeness (NIL) software company, for the Sports Curious podcast. Join us as we delve into college athletics and the fascinating evolution of MOGL.

Unleashing the Power of Name, Image, and Likeness

Ayden Syal explains that MOGL's mission is to connect college athletes with brands and fans for monetization opportunities, such as sponsorships, endorsements, appearances and more. They also provide software solutions to universities and NIL collectives to effectively manage their NIL programs.

The Journey of MOGL and NIL

Ayden Syal takes us back to the initial days when seven states, including Georgia and Florida, passed laws enabling college athletes to monetize their name, image and likeness. In response, the NCAA made it a national mandate in July 2021 to ensure fairness across the board. MOGL was founded in 2019, well before these developments, and originally focused on connecting athletes with local businesses for sponsorships. However, the rise of collectives and university involvement expanded their scope.

Collectives: The Bridge to Athlete Support

Initially, schools were restricted from directly assisting or brokering NIL deals. However, collectives emerged as innovative entities, connecting athletes with donors, local businesses and sponsors. Universities collaborate closely with collectives to support their student-athletes, even though they are technically prohibited from directly brokering deals.

MOGL was founded by former Notre Dame classmates Ayden Syal and Brandon Wimbush, who started 16 games at Quarterback for the Fighting Irish.

The Changing Landscape and the Loopholes

As the NIL landscape evolves, Ayden explains that nonprofit collectives are transitioning to for-profit entities due to IRS regulations. This shift allows collectives to connect athletes with corporate sponsors and local businesses while donors receive exclusive membership perks and other non-tax-exempt benefits.

Recruiting, Tampering and NIL

NIL has become a powerful recruiting tool, especially in football and basketball, where discussions about collective compensation are part of the conversation. Although tampering does occur, the focus is on ensuring athletes receive fair compensation for the revenue they generate for universities, providing them with opportunities for success on and off the field.

Celebrating MOGL's Success Stories

MOGL has facilitated numerous success stories for athletes across all divisions. Notable examples include Caden Cox, the first known college athlete with Down Syndrome to appear in a football game, who collaborated with Jake Max Apparel to design a merchandise line and ultimately became the brand's face. MOGL's impact extends beyond monetary compensation, helping athletes build professional connections, podcasts and future job opportunities.

Looking Ahead: Integrative Compliance and Fan Interactions

MOGL is focused on providing compliance and operational software to universities and collectives of all divisions, ensuring equal access and opportunity for all athletes. Excitingly, they are launching a fan portal where fans can directly connect with their favorite athletes for personalized video shoutouts, appearances, autograph signings and more.

Name, Image, and Likeness in college sports go far beyond the headlines, with MOGL leading the charge in revolutionizing the industry. Equal access, opportunity, and compliance are at the forefront of their mission, transforming the lives of athletes across divisions. To learn more about MOGL and its offerings, visit their website at www.MOGL.online. Stay connected with Ayden Syal on LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok and Twitter to keep up with the latest developments.

Wimbledon - What You Need To Know

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The oldest tennis tournament in the world is steeped in history, but that doesn't stop the common folk like us from enjoying a match, traditional Pimm's or donning our Wimbledon whites. 

1. The prestigious tournament has a strict dress code, requiring players to wear all white. (Rumor has it was that it was because it didn't show sweat like other colors). Now we all know that nothing ruins your summer whites like bird poop. Luckily you don't have to worry about that at Wimbledon. Rufus is a specially trained hawk that keeps those pooping pigeons away from the grounds. Like a good predator, Rufus flies above the grounds for one hour, around 9:00 am most mornings, before the gates open to keep the birds away. EYES LIKE A HAWK

2. Last year, the tournament banned Russian and Belarusian athletes due to the invasion of Ukraine. This year the tournament has made some changes, including supporting Ukrainian players by paying for two rooms for Ukrainian tennis players and their teams during the grass-court season and donating one British pound (about $1.25) for each ticket sold at Wimbledon to relief efforts in Ukraine.

Russian and Belarusian players can compete but with a few stipulations, which include the banning of flags or signs of support for either of those countries and the war. Players will sign a declaration that they will not show support for Russia, Belarus or the war in Ukraine, and the tournament will not be broadcast in Russia or Belarus. RULES

3. The tennis balls are replaced every seven to nine games to ensure they’re in perfect shape. No wonder more than 53,000 tennis balls are used during the two-week tournament. But did you know tennis balls used to be white or black, not yellow? Changing them to yellow made it easier for the TV viewer to see the ball, but Wimbledon was a late adopter of the color change, waiting until the 80s. HOLY BALLS

4. Did you know that Wimbledon is Europe's largest single annual sporting event from a catering perspective? In previous years, spectators consumed over 276,000 glasses of Pimm’s to wash down 18,061 servings of fish and chips. The tournament has served 4,242 servings of sushi and 6,147 servings of pasta to their racket-wielding athletes. WHO’S HUNGRY?

5. Grunting is no longer left to gremlins and grumpy old men. Even the classiest of tennis players vocalize their play. While you may think this is new, Monica Seles and Jimmy Connors are known as the original creators of the tennis grunt. The loudest one on the court? Russia's Maria Sharapova at 105 decibels – the equivalent of standing next to an accelerating motorcycle. THAT'S NOT AWKWARD AT ALL

Noted: Wimbledon will run from Monday, July 3 - Sunday, July 16.