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Full Story – Sports Illustrated.Com
Prior to the 2012-2013 season, New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees signed a five-year contract that netted him $40 million for last season alone. Of that figure, only $3 million was base salary; $37 million was his signing bonus.
His 2013 pay differs greatly. For the upcoming season, Brees will earn $9.75 million with an additional $250,000 as a workout bonus, bringing his total team-paid compensation to $10 million.
As part of the contract, which will still have three years remaining on it after this season, the Saints will have a three-day post-Super Bowl window to release Brees. If they don't part ways, they'll owe him another $11 million for the fall 2014 season.
The final two years of his deal contains similar opt-out language and salary totals of $19 million for 2015 and $20 million for 2016. The front-loaded signing bonus protects Brees financially with up-front guaranteed money and the yearly opt-out options -- albeit in short windows immediately following the conclusion of the Super Bowl -- gives the Saints some flexibility, especially in the final two years of his deal.
By Tim Newcomb / Sports Illustrated
Full Story – Sports Illustrated.Com