not only that but like you said, we are talking benson. I don't know who's asking for what, but its funny, bush immediately endeared himself to saints fans with his and he's actually got fan support in new orleans. so holding out won't hurt him with his fans. Its funny no matter what an owner is offering, fans are always gonna side with the team in these situations, unless its fans of the team. I don't agree with what he's doing, but I understand this is the nfl, and salaries are not slotted. yes there is a reference from just last year, but these are high dollar negotiations. let's wait to see what happens.
Things like holdouts, injuries, suspensions etc are usually written in to his endorsement contracts where they can terminate/opt-out/etc, so don't shed any tears on their behalf.
What sucks is I have a feeling he will end up getting the money he demands. It sucks though, this crap will start happening from now on.
why does it suck. what does it have to do with you. the nfl is arguably the best prodcut in pro sports, and they have the most leverage over their athletes. remember, this money, at least not near a 100%, is guaranteed. negotiating contracts is almost the only power these guys have. people mention nba rookie slotting system, the nfl has a long way to go before they get there because their contracts aren't guaranteed.
While he IS an assbag, Benson has actually stepped up lately with regards to payroll. Top 10 over the past four years. And he's in, unquestionably, the worst situation of any owner in the NFL; miniscule market and horrible stadium (both venue and deal with the local gov) exacerbated by Katrina. On the other hand, he's got all that new season ticket-holder cash. Bottom line, better Bush and the Saints in this mess than Bush and the Texans.
I don't think people are necessarily villifying Bush in this thread because he hasn't signed YET. It doesn't surprise me terribly that most of the 1st round is still unsigned. I think people are villifying Bush in this thread because, if this report is true, then he might hold out for most or all the year because he thinks he deserves more money than the guy that got drafted above him. As others have mentioned, a guy who plays a position that typically gets payed higher than his position and lasts longer. Not a lot of negotiating ground to stand on. Personally, I don't put much stock in this article. I could easily see this being info leaked from the Saints in order to put some negotiation pressure on the Bush camp...maybe even to counteract the public favor Bush gained with his charitable acts in New Orleans. But if the season starts and it still looks like Bush is nowhere near signing, then yeah, I think he's thinking a little bit highly of himself. And the same would go with Vince if he is still unsigned.
I'm having a real hard time understanding how this is remotely fair. Why wouldn't the NFL have some sort of provision in place to protect teams from a situation like this? It seems (to the uninformed like me, at any rate) like this type of model serves to create nothing but teams like the Yankees, who will always be on top because they are the only teams who can/will pay such ridiculous prices. I feel sorry for 'Aints fans.
"I feel sorry for 'Aints fans." So Do I. And I am a Falcons fan. We hate the Saints. It really makes you appreciate having an owner like Arthur Blank and Bob McNair. Benson is a tool and should be removed. What really sucks for The Saints is that if he does sit out and re-enter next year, guess how much compensation the Saints get for his pick? Try ZERO. Poor fans... NFL really needs to do something about this. Making set prices or something based off of your draft position. Never happen probaly...
I can't believe Bush signed with Joel Segal. I would've went with Ebert and Roeper. That tandem is incredible.
I don't know, Ebert hasn't been the same since his partner died. That being said, as someone who was very disapointed that the Texans did not draft Bush, this is good news to make me feel a little better.
Bush's thinking doesn't make sense to me. The fact that he wants to be paid like a number 1 pick suggests he wants to maximize his wealth. Sitting out a year in order to get a slightly higher contract only hurts his wealth. The only thing that might make sense to me is that Bush just wants to get out and go somewhere else, considering the uncertainty of the team and owner. If it's about money, then I really doubt he sits out the year.
the bottom line is this, if he sits out a whole year, he won't make it up. even some team meets his demands, he won't make that money up so its no reason for him to miss the whole season.
It's just leverage seeking equilibrium at this point. What part of the Saints season ticket income is due to Reggie Bush mania? What's that worth over the standard #2 slot pick? Something. Reggie can say OK I got to get in for the the team at any point and be a hero. A 25 million dollar guaranteed maybe.
Hard bargaining on a deal for Reggie Bush will begin on Thursday, ESPN.com has learned, as New Orleans Saints officials and agent Joel Segal are scheduled to engage in what almost certainly will be the most substantive negotiations yet on a contract for the second overall choice in the draft. The negotiating session, expected to be conducted by phone, comes on the day when Saints players are to report to training camp at Millsaps College near Jackson, Miss. The initial practice under first-year coach Sean Payton is on Friday, and it will take a monumental breakthrough in the Thursday bargaining to get the 2005 Heisman Trophy winner onto the field for that workout. To this point, the two sides have discussed framework and concepts and perhaps even floated some dollar figures, but it is believed the Saints have yet to make a formal offer to the former Southern California star. Bush is seeking a deal in the range of the six-year, $54 million contract that defensive end Mario Williams, the top overall selection in the draft, received from the Houston Texans. Based on discussions with Saints officials before the draft, those financial expectations may be warranted. New Orleans would prefer to work off the contract signed by last year's second overall choice, Miami tailback Ronnie Brown, but those numbers aren't apt to sway Bush or his representative. Compounding the negotiations for the Saints is the fact that Bush, who has embraced the hurricane-ravaged city of New Orleans and already made several sizeable donations to charities there, has banked $5 million to $7 million in various endorsement contracts negotiated by Mike Ornstein, his marketing agent. That certainly alleviates the urgency for Bush to sign a contract quickly, since he already has considerable cash flow. Bush said during the team's rookie minicamp in May that he wanted to be in camp on time and that he had instructed Segal to attempt to accomplish that goal. But only a few days later, Bush clarified his remarks, telling ESPN.com that any contract had to be a sound business decision. There were reports last week that Bush might consider sitting out the entire 2006 season and re-entering the draft in 2007, but those were regarded as premature. Still, unless there is significant progress achieved quickly in negotiations, Bush's absence from camp could be a protracted one. http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2530925
I doubt something will get done today...Over the weekend, maybe...It'll be a domino effect once Bush is signed...
