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NFL Rookie Wage Scale On Hold

The NBA uses an official slotting system for players drafted in the first round of its annual draft.  Article VIII of the league’s Collective Bargaining Agreement describes the scale, which actually is not such a solid slotting system.  A first round selection, and his agent (if he employs one), can negotiate a deal up to 120% of the player’s slot value.  The team can also try to use a strong hand and limit compensation to no less than 80% of that slot.  MLB does not overtly have a system, as evidenced by Stephen Strasburg’s deal (plus many others), but the Commissioner’s Office often sends out recommendations for what clubs should pay players at particular spots.  This year, the Commissioner’s Office suggested that teams pay players 10% less than what players were paid in the same slot in 2008.  So much for teams listening to that.

Lately, there have been rumors that the NFL might get creative and impose a Rookie Wage Scale.  Would it look similar to the NBA’s Rookie Scale?  It looks like we will not know any time soon.  Apparently, the earliest that an NFL Rookie Wage Scale would be implemented (if ever) is 2012.  In the linked article, Chris Mortensen really shows what he thinks about athletes being able to make decisions for themselves.  He says,

“Do not listen to agents who are scaring you into a rookie wage scale or a rookie cap. . . .  Don’t let agents deceive you and lie about this rookie wage scale and rookie cap that would affect you into coming out early.”

In Mort’s world, there are no agents using Twitter or blogging to report on the article about there likely not being a Rookie Wage Scale either, right?

By Darren Heitner

Darren Adam Heitner, Esq., is a preeminent sports attorney and the founder of Heitner Legal, P.L.L.C., a Fort Lauderdale-based law firm specializing in sports law, contract negotiations, intellectual property, and arbitration. He earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Florida Levin College of Law in 2010 and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, magna cum laude, from the University of Florida in 2007, where he was named Valedictorian of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Admitted to practice in the state bars of Florida, New York, and the District of Columbia, as well as multiple federal courts, Darren also serves as a certified arbitrator with the American Arbitration Association.

As an adjunct professor, Darren imparts his expertise through teaching Sports Law at the University of Florida Levin College of Law and Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) at the University of Miami School of Law in the Entertainment, Arts, and Sports Law LL.M. program. His scholarly contributions include authoring several books published by the American Bar Association, such as How to Play the Game: What Every Sports Attorney Needs to Know, and numerous articles in prominent publications like Forbes, Inc. Magazine, and Above the Law. His thought leadership in NIL has earned him recognition as one of the foremost experts by The Wall Street Journal, USA TODAY, and On3, and he has been lauded as a “power player in NIL deals” by Action Network and a “top sports trademark attorney” by Sportico.

Darren’s passion for sports law led him to establish Sports Agent Blog on December 31, 2005, initially titled “I Want To Be A Sports Agent.” The platform, created as a New Year’s resolution, has grown into a cornerstone of the sports agency community, offering in-depth analysis of industry trends, legal disputes, and agent-player dynamics. His commitment to the field is further evidenced by his representation of numerous athletes and sports agents, as well as his prior role as an Adjunct Professor at Indiana University Bloomington, where he developed and taught a course on Sport Agency Management from 2011 to 2014.

Darren’s contributions have been recognized with prestigious honors, including the University of Florida’s 40 Under 40 Award, the University of Florida Levin College of Law’s Outstanding Young Alumnus Award, and designation as the best lawyer in Fort Lauderdale by Fort Lauderdale Magazine. He remains an active voice in the sports law community, sharing insights through his weekly NIL newsletter and his X posts, engaging a broad audience on legal developments in sports.

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