We've all known that Tom Brady has taken below-market contracts for years. He is making $8 MM in guarantees with another $6 MM in bonuses for 2015. His salary is WELL BELOW that of other Top 10 QBs, let alone Top 5 QBs. Now we know he doesn't 'need' the money because supermodel Gisele makes $40 MM a year (or more). It's good to have a 2-income family. Here's the thing: Brady is very close to the owner, Bob Kraft. We know that Kraft considers Brady like another son. They live next to one another in the same Brookline, MA neighborhood. Brady loves money, but he also loves winning. He knows if he can divert a few million or more from his salary to the team, it makes the team that much stronger. So............. How do we know that Kraft hasn't made some personal 'side deal' with Brady to pay him tens of millions in 'consulting' or TV (Pats Network, etc.) gigs once his playing time is over ? How do we know that Brady hasn't invested in some partnership or hedge fund with Kraft and Kraft isn't giving him some favoritism on his account, which can't be liquidated until 2020 or whenever ? How do we know there wasn't a simple, innocuous, you-can't-consider-it-a-contract whisper like "Tom, sign this contract and believe me you'll be very happy when your playing days are over." I mean, how many players keep taking below-market deals even if they don't need the money ? Peyton Manning doesn't need the money between his earnings and endorsements and yet he reportedly had to be dragged kicking-and-dragging to have his salary cut by $4 MM this year. I don't know how you'd investigate this, but I know that the Cowboys and Redskins got nailed for violating the spirit of the rules stuff on the salary cap and the Broncos reportedly did something in the late-1990's, too. I find it very curious that Brady, who is super-competitive and hates being 2nd at anything, has willingly been 5th or 7th or 10th or 12th or lower when it comes to compensation. The football writers, who have their noses up Brady's butt, have no interest in asking these questions. Someone should !!
I don't care as long as we keep winning. Seriously though, Kraft is the Whore Master of the NFL and the rest of the owners are his bitches. It seems like Kraft can do whatever he wants and get away with it, the "Teflon Owner". Nothing would surprise me.
That would be cheating. Not something I would expect from the Pats organization. Stop with the nonsense
Personally, I think Tom is planning a career in politics after football. That campaign money will need to come from somewhere.
Well under-the-table arrangements are under-the-table for a reason. They generally can't be proven, unless you're stupid like the MLB owners in the late '80's and make no attempt to hide collusion.
This morning I was thinking to myself, "There hasn't been a new Patriots thread started on TGG in at least 24 hours..."
Great topic Tom deferred money many times to man team better Instead of contract hold out, he takes it where sun don't shine Code Red due to NEfarious actions ala cheating history
Anyone who thinks this isn't happening is naive. Many professional players join their former teams in lucrative posts in retirement.
True. But isnt Brady still an active player? This isnt just a case of a prominent player being kept on the payroll as a consultant after his playing days are over. Brady's lower salary gives the Pats an advantage that other teams with elite QB's dont have.
The OP must've been sitting on the toilet this morning when it came to him that Brady's salary is too low and the Pats must be doing something shady. Brady's deal includes a $30mil signing bonus and $24mil for 3 years. This averages out to $18mil per year. Not that great a hometown discount. http://www.forbes.com/profile/tom-brady/
While nothing would surprise me I don't see this as something to get all worked up over. In an era of guys like Revi$ and Suh who have no loyalty and are only paid assassins and mercenaries for whomever will pay them the most even if Kraft was sucking Brady's cock dry to save an extra 30 cents a year in salary you have to commend the pric for being loyal to the Pats.
You know you seek validation. But his will crush you https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/spygate-the-untold-story/id623620093?mt=11 http://www.amazon.com/Spygate-Untold-Story-Bryan-OLeary/dp/0985467002 Make sure you pay attention to the Matt Walsh and patriot way chapters The coaches chapter is eye opening and dead on
