LAST NIGHT'S GAME 7/26/23 LAST NIGHT'S GAME 7/26/23

Wednesday Wisdom

You agreed to what? Depicting athlete contracts. Plus, today's watercooler topics.

May your Wednesday be as exciting as a championship game but without as much drama as an episode of "Vanderpump Rules."

Smile like you mean it,
The Last Night's Game

Athlete contracts - did you know?

From weight loss incentives to mustache wax allowances, the strange clauses wrapped into athlete contracts add a touch of uniqueness and personalization.

Take, for instance, Michael Jordan. 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.

Clauses may restrict athletes from participating in high-risk activities such as riding hot air balloons, skateboarding, or motorcycles but also provide them with significant incentives for performance. For more on odd inclusions and breaking down some of the terms often heard in the press, check out this week's podcast. LISTEN

Short and Sweet

The tragic news broke yesterday that Bronny, son of LeBron James, suffered cardiac arrest during a workout at USC. The sports world reacted to show support, including the NFL's (National Football League) Damar Hamlin, who went through the same thing. Bronny is out of the ICU and in stable condition.
Anthony Rizzo of the New York Yankees (MLB - Major League Baseball) changed his walk-up song to a Taylor Swift song, and he went 4-4 with a home run.
The USWNT takes on a tough Netherlands squad tonight in the World Cup. Keep your eye on Sophia Smith if she scores as her celebrations honor her late friend and goalkeeper, Katie Meyer.
Sens. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., and Joe Manchin, D-W. Va. introduced a bill regarding college sports, including athletes' activities in making money from their name, image and likeness (NIL).

Up Your Game

The world is watching. GUIDE TO THE WOMEN’S WORLD CUP

game on

Greek fries with feta - this week's Tailgate Treat is everything you've dreamed of and more. DELISH

LAST NIGHT'S GAME 7/26/23 LAST NIGHT'S GAME 7/26/23

Unveiling Unusual Athlete Contract Clauses: Quirks and Stories

You agreed to what?

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.

LAST NIGHT'S GAME 7/24/23 LAST NIGHT'S GAME 7/24/23

Monday Minute: Tears, Tractors and Locker Room Rap Videos

Starting the week off right.

Start the week with conversation starters suitable for any chat, be it a client or an airplane seatmate.

For today's Monday Minute podcast episode or our podcast exclusive Weekend Preview, subscribe to the podcast or our YouTube channel.

Messi and MLS (Major League Soccer)

The man, myth, and legend Lionel Messi made his MLS debut Friday night for Inter Miami FC. He did not start, coming into the game during the second half. Hitting the winning shot in extra time was the exclamation point on a momentous occasion. Messi did so in front of his whole family, team owner David Beckham, who was left in tears after the win, and his wife Victoria Beckham, Kim Kardashian and GOATs in their sports, LeBron James and Serena Williams.

The video of Saint West, Kim Kardashian’s son, freaking out over a signed jersey from Messi reminds us that even famous people freak out over their heroes.

Women’s World Cup

The United States 3-0 victory over Vietnam in the Women's World Cup drew 6.26M viewers. It’s the most-watched soccer telecast in the US since last year's men's World Cup final. They will take on the Netherlands at 9 pm ET on Wednesday.

Open Championship (Golf)

Brian Harman is the epitome of perseverance, winning The Open (aka the British Open) dominantly by six shots. The 36-year-old took home his first major win, which was his first win in the last six years. Instead of touting the famed “I’m going to Disneyland” post-win line, he said all he wanted to do to celebrate was to turn off his phone and go for a tractor ride. Luckily for him, based on the money he won, he said his wife wouldn’t be mad at him for how much he paid for the mowing tractor.

Before you go

Danish cyclist Jonas Vingegaard won his second consecutive Tour de France victory on Sunday on the famed Champs-Élysées in Paris. The second all-female race, the Tour de France Femmes, begins today through July 30.
Florida A&M suspended all football-related activities until further notice after an unauthorized rap video containing explicit lyrics filmed in the team's locker room emerged.
France's Leon Marchand smashed Michael Phelps's last remaining world record on Sunday at swimming's world championships.

Keep up with us between podcasts by visiting lastnightsgame.com or following us on social media. Until next time, have a fantastic day.

UP your game

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