CHAPTER 4
Best-Case Contracts
To negotiate well, you’ve got to understand the other side of the table. Likewise, you need to figure out what’s best for you as a player at this time in your career.
Every team has their own budget that covers both competitive and corporate operations. So, each team has their own priorities: one might want lower player salaries right now to fund a merch expansion, while another might allow for higher salaries since they want to be a top team this season.
Team’s Best Case
If you notice that a team’s contract has most or all of these, yikes! You’ll want to reconsider before you sign and see where you can push back — this kind of contract doesn’t work out in your favor.
💵 Low player salary
Saves the team money!
📅 Max term length
They don’t have to worry about losing you, reducing risk.
📉 Can bench or lower salary anytime
Reduces risk further, in case you’re not what they thought
🤝 Sell to any team without consent
So they can get the best value when selling your contract.
❌ Terminate at any time without cause
They won’t have to keep you if they just don’t want to.
Your Best Case
Do you value compensation and brand power, or do you just want to join the best to win? Maybe you want a flexible short-term deal, or you prefer long-term stability.
Consider where you are in your career, and what works best for you.
💵 High player salary
You make more money!
📅 Preferred term length
Whether you’re looking for security or flexibility.
📉 No salary reductions
Ensuring you’ll have a guaranteed income amount.
🤝 Consent rights over trades
They can’t trade you without your approval.
❌ No terminations without cause
They can’t kick you for no reason!
