Lecavalier re-signs 11 years with TB

[miller76 463]

I agree. Only a very very very small percentage of society could put up with their schedules. Plus they are under huge pressure to perform every game.

I totally agree. I used to work in professional motorsports and would devote my life to my profession which included hard travelling. I just never got used to the travelling, but the money was good.

[Internet.Unknown 422]

Sportspeople are paid way too much. I mean $10 MILLION in a single season? Sorry, but that is just ridiculous and shouldn't even be allowed to happen. Surely you can't justify that?

Professional athletes are the best several hundred people in the world at what they do. By all means they should be paid millions. Same goes for the best professionals in nearly any field.

[Jericho613 74]

I like Lecavalier, but odds are he'll be traded before the end of his career, probably when he starts to decline in scoring when he gets older. 11 years is a long time to dedicate to an expansion team if you ask me.

[Guest nutz2u]

nope soccer is.

Remember David beckham got paid 250 million in one year, now that's ridiculous!

Holy s*** I didn't know that. Man that's beyond obsene.

[Guest nutz2u]

No, it will be 7.72 mil. 85mil/11 years = 7.72mil/year, plus it says the average salary at the end of the TSN article.

So what happens if he was traded after 5 years, the cap hit of 7.72 does what?

[Doc Holiday 0]

Professional athletes are the best several hundred people in the world at what they do. By all means they should be paid millions. Same goes for the best professionals in nearly any field.

I doubt there are that many in each field that get paid millions.

Hundreds of NHL stars (not including owners, managers, coaches) vs a handful of CEOs in each field.

As an architect I only plan on making $200,000 if I become the best at it.

Also I don't know what this "pressure" is all about. They get to play a sport they love, and I can tell you right now I would be happy with $500,000 if I played in the NHL, even with the practices, games, and meetings. I'm sure they don't have to deal with the stress that happens in everyday jobs.

[eva unit zero 271]

I doubt there are that many in each field that get paid millions.

Hundreds of NHL stars (not including owners, managers, coaches) vs a handful of CEOs in each field.

As an architect I only plan on making $200,000 if I become the best at it.

Also I don't know what this "pressure" is all about. They get to play a sport they love, and I can tell you right now I would be happy with $500,000 if I played in the NHL, even with the practices, games, and meetings. I'm sure they don't have to deal with the stress that happens in everyday jobs.

As an architect, you also can expect to be able to make that $200k for thirty, forty, fifty years with little or no chance of on-the-job physical harm while athletes at all levels face a high chance of significant physical harm every time they step onto the playing surface.

Think Joe Theismann.

And beyond that, there are probably less than 500 hockey players in the world making better than $1m annually. Compare that with other professional sports, or entertainment industries. An architect doesn't get paid as much at the top end for the same reason that a top-end chef or construction worker doesn't. These are jobs that require skill and training and involve physical risk, but per worker do not bring in nearly as much money as entertainment industries do. That sort of uneven relationship will of course filter back to the pay scales. Jobs that are in industries that have a higher 'revenue-per-worker' number will invariably see higher wages, especially among the top end.

[Majsheppard 203]

What a great deal for TB

[RedStormRising 7]

Sportspeople are paid way too much. I mean $10 MILLION in a single season? Sorry, but that is just ridiculous and shouldn't even be allowed to happen. Surely you can't justify that?

Yes, I can. It is called capitalism and it is a lovely thing. :patriot:

Edited July 14, 2008 by RedStormRising

[Doc Holiday 0]

And beyond that, there are probably less than 500 hockey players in the world making better than $1m annually. Compare that with other professional sports, or entertainment industries. An architect doesn't get paid as much at the top end for the same reason that a top-end chef or construction worker doesn't. These are jobs that require skill and training and involve physical risk, but per worker do not bring in nearly as much money as entertainment industries do. That sort of uneven relationship will of course filter back to the pay scales. Jobs that are in industries that have a higher 'revenue-per-worker' number will invariably see higher wages, especially among the top end.

I never doubted why they get as much as they get. I just believe that to get upset over not being paid 1 mil more than you think is pretty childish when looking at the bigger picture. Of course, some cases are justified.

[stevie for president 42]

Each year can not be less than half of the previous year.

Article 50.7: The difference between the stated Player Salary and Bonuses in the first two League Years of an SPC cannot exceed the amount of the lower of the two League Years. Thereafter, in all subsequent League Years of the SPC, (i) any increase in Player Salary and Bonuses from one League Year to another may not exceed the amount of the lower of the first two League Years of the SPC (or, if such amounts are the same, that same amount); and (ii) any decrease in Player Salary and Bonuses from one League Year to another may not exceed 50 percent of the Player Salary and Bonuses of the lower of the first two League Years of the SPC (or, if such amounts are the same, 50 percent of the same amount).

Example 1: An SPC provides for $2M in Year 1. The player can earn up to $4M in Year 2 and up to $6M in Year 3, but not less than $1M in Year 2 and not less than $500K in Year 3.

Example 2: An SPC provides for $1M in Year 1 and $2M in Year 2. The lower of these two amounts is $1M, so Year 3 cannot provide for more than $3M or less than $1.5M.

Example 3: An SPC provides for $1M in Year 1 and $1M in Year 2. The lower of these two amounts is $1M, so Year 3 cannot provide for more than $2M or less than $500K.

Example 4: An SPC provides for $750K in Year 1 and $1.1M in Year 2. The lower of these two amounts is $750K, so Year 3 cannot provide for more than $1.85M or less than $725K.

Example 5: An SPC provides for $2.5M in Year 1 and $1.5M in Year 2. The lower of these two amounts is $1.5M, so Year 3 cannot provide for more than $3M, nor less than $750K.

NOTE: this does not mean "change in salary is limited to 50% of the prior year's salary" - it's 50 percent of the lower of the first 2 years of an SPC. This means that a team cannot sign a player to a contract averaging $4 million per year by making the 1st year $16 million, and the other 4 years $1 million (or anything else that looks like this) - because it's a violation of the 100 Percent Rule. It does mean that a team can sign a player to a contract averaging $4 million per year by structuring it as $8 million, $6 million, $4 million, $1 million, and $1 million.

http://www.nhlscap.com/cap_faq.htm#100pct

[Doggy 130]

Article 50.7: The difference between the stated Player Salary and Bonuses in the first two League Years of an SPC cannot exceed the amount of the lower of the two League Years. Thereafter, in all subsequent League Years of the SPC, (i) any increase in Player Salary and Bonuses from one League Year to another may not exceed the amount of the lower of the first two League Years of the SPC (or, if such amounts are the same, that same amount); and (ii) any decrease in Player Salary and Bonuses from one League Year to another may not exceed 50 percent of the Player Salary and Bonuses of the lower of the first two League Years of the SPC (or, if such amounts are the same, 50 percent of the same amount).

Example 1: An SPC provides for $2M in Year 1. The player can earn up to $4M in Year 2 and up to $6M in Year 3, but not less than $1M in Year 2 and not less than $500K in Year 3.

Example 2: An SPC provides for $1M in Year 1 and $2M in Year 2. The lower of these two amounts is $1M, so Year 3 cannot provide for more than $3M or less than $1.5M.

Example 3: An SPC provides for $1M in Year 1 and $1M in Year 2. The lower of these two amounts is $1M, so Year 3 cannot provide for more than $2M or less than $500K.

Example 4: An SPC provides for $750K in Year 1 and $1.1M in Year 2. The lower of these two amounts is $750K, so Year 3 cannot provide for more than $1.85M or less than $725K.

Example 5: An SPC provides for $2.5M in Year 1 and $1.5M in Year 2. The lower of these two amounts is $1.5M, so Year 3 cannot provide for more than $3M, nor less than $750K.

NOTE: this does not mean "change in salary is limited to 50% of the prior year's salary" - it's 50 percent of the lower of the first 2 years of an SPC. This means that a team cannot sign a player to a contract averaging $4 million per year by making the 1st year $16 million, and the other 4 years $1 million (or anything else that looks like this) - because it's a violation of the 100 Percent Rule. It does mean that a team can sign a player to a contract averaging $4 million per year by structuring it as $8 million, $6 million, $4 million, $1 million, and $1 million.

http://www.nhlscap.com/cap_faq.htm#100pct

Alright, so it's legal. In this case, no decrease of $5m or more is permitted from year to year and the largest drop is 8.5 to 4. Thanks for the info, good source.

[octopusonice 0]

I could be wrong, but it looks like this contract could have many of the same problems that NFL contracts would have. At the time you sign a long-term deal, it seems exciting and all, but it often leads to a couple of problems:

1. If the going price for similar players goes up over time, then the person locked up in the long-term deal will feel jilted when his peers are making more money. It leads to holdouts, complaining, talk of restructuring etc.

2. If the player 'jumps the shark' then they are the first one to be targeted when salary cap cuts need to be made.

As a result, almost none of these contracts goes to completion with the original team.

I'd like to hear some thoughts on this. I'm still learning about the contract side of the NHL. How much of these contracts is guaranteed? If I sign a player to 7 years and $60M and they get a Jiri Fischer-like condition after one year, is it like baseball where the contract is guaranteed and I lose all that money, or am I only partially on the hook?

[Doggy 130]

I could be wrong, but it looks like this contract could have many of the same problems that NFL contracts would have. At the time you sign a long-term deal, it seems exciting and all, but it often leads to a couple of problems:

1. If the going price for similar players goes up over time, then the person locked up in the long-term deal will feel jilted when his peers are making more money. It leads to holdouts, complaining, talk of restructuring etc.

2. If the player 'jumps the shark' then they are the first one to be targeted when salary cap cuts need to be made.

As a result, almost none of these contracts goes to completion with the original team.

I'd like to hear some thoughts on this. I'm still learning about the contract side of the NHL. How much of these contracts is guaranteed? If I sign a player to 7 years and $60M and they get a Jiri Fischer-like condition after one year, is it like baseball where the contract is guaranteed and I lose all that money, or am I only partially on the hook?

Good points. I also am not a big fan of contracts this massive. If I were a GM, I would never sign a player to more than 6 maybe 7 years absolute max. So much can happen in 11 years. What if Vinny gets a concussion in 5 years like Lindros and sucks for the rest of his career? That $7m+ cap hit is really gonna sting. While it's a good deal now, it could prove to be a little short-sighted for the Bolts.

With regards to contracts not being fulfilled, as far as I'm aware, players that retire before the end of their contract do not receive any compensation for the future payments however contracts are guaranteed for player that sustain career ending injuries and recieve full pay for the remainding salary of the contract. However, I'm sure clubs will have insurance for events like this.

I could be wrong though.

[Guest nutz2u]

Again I ask, what happens to the 7.72M cap hit if the player is traded after 5 or 6 years?

[Guest mindfly]

It's weird that only NHL got a salary cap, no other sport/league I know has it... wonder why? :S

I just can't imagine all rich soccerclubs have a cap at 60million$ or something ½ star player in each team?

Edited July 14, 2008 by mindfly

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

Sportspeople are paid way too much. I mean $10 MILLION in a single season? Sorry, but that is just ridiculous and shouldn't even be allowed to happen. Surely you can't justify that?

When guys like Jeff Finger make $3.5 million a year, $10 million per for Vinny doesn't sound so crazy.

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

It's weird that only NHL got a salary cap, no other sport/league I know has it... wonder why? :S

I just can't imagine all rich soccerclubs have a cap at 60million$ or something ½ star player in each team?

The NFL most certainly has one as well.

[djohns74 3]

Again I ask, what happens to the 7.72M cap hit if the player is traded after 5 or 6 years?

His cap hit would most certainly go along with him. Which makes him essentially untradable after the first few years of the contract.

[Internet.Unknown 422]

I doubt there are that many in each field that get paid millions.

Hundreds of NHL stars (not including owners, managers, coaches) vs a handful of CEOs in each field.

As an architect I only plan on making $200,000 if I become the best at it.

If you're one of the best architects in the world and you make but $200k/year, you aren't as good as you think.

[Guest mindfly]

The NFL most certainly has one as well.

Oh really? how much is the cap then?

But I heard the 1st overall in the draft were guaranteed $30million first year or something mad.. compared to nhl rookies its insane

[haroldsnepsts 4,826]

So has this contract been approved?

It seems like the last few years, particularly on a contract this length, are in violation of the CBA.

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

Oh really? how much is the cap then?

But I heard the 1st overall in the draft were guaranteed $30million first year or something mad.. compared to nhl rookies its insane

NFL: $116,729,000 for a 53-player roster = $2.202 million/player average

NHL: $56,700,000 for a 23-player roster = $2.465 million/player average

Not so crazy anymore...is it?

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

So has this contract been approved?

It seems like the last few years, particularly on a contract this length, are in violation of the CBA.

What about Dipietro or AO for that matter? Or are you strictly talking the money dropping dramatically toward the conclusion of Vinny's contract?

[haroldsnepsts 4,826]

What about Dipietro or AO for that matter? Or are you strictly talking the money dropping dramatically toward the conclusion of Vinny's contract?

Yeah. The drop from 8.5 to 4 million, then the drop to 1.5 and 1 million the last couple years of the contract. Especially considering he'll be in his late 30s those years.

Depending on health, there's a fair chance he could retire before those years kick in, so it would seem an awful lot like accepting underpayment for the last few years in order to reduce the cap hit.