It is increasingly common for star athletes to accept below-market salaries in their contracts to allow teams to build winning rosters around them.
It is increasingly common for star athletes to accept below-market salaries in their contracts to allow teams to build winning rosters around them. See Edmonton Oilers forward Connor McDavid and Saskatchewan Roughriders quarterback Trevor Harris.
On SportsCage, CFL analyst Wes Cates says there is some give-and-take with those types of deals.
“You’ve got to approach it lightly as a general manager, right? You’ve got to be like, are we trying to win it again? Are you happy? What will it take? You almost have to concede a little bit of maybe letting that guy help build the roster if he’s going to take a pay cut, and he should have some say on who he likes or who he thinks he should keep.”
Cates added that players who take discounts should be able to help prioritize signing teammates.
“I think if I were in that position, yeah, I’d say that. I’m not sure that’s how it works. I’m sorry, guys. I’ve never had the pleasure, you know what I mean? But if I’m taking a pay cut, the team says, “We can’t do it without you, but we also need you to maybe hit us a little lighter in the pocket.” I’m like, then I need so-and-so; you’d better resign this guy. I’m approaching it like that.”
You can hear the entire conversation at SportsCage.com.
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