One thing about the NFL that is underappreciated in today’s sports landscape is its constant effort to keep the game fair, both on and off the field. Unlike other leagues like the NBA and MLB, which have no problem allowing big-market teams to seize unfair financial advantages, the NFL has worked hard to give franchises in smaller markets a chance to compete. It has certainly worked out pretty well. The Green Bay Packers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Atlanta Falcons, and Baltimore Ravens have all had tremendous success recently because the league instituted a salary cap in the 1990s. That meant the bigger market teams couldn’t simply outspend them. Now, another potential rule change may benefit the Chicago Bears.
One thing about professional sports is that organizations always look for an edge, whether on the field or off. One tactic many have begun employing is the use of void years in player contracts. These are designed to allow teams to spread the cost of signing bonuses and other salary cap charges over a longer period than the actual duration of the player’s contract. Some believe this gives teams with richer owners an unfair advantage since they can skirt the cap through cash flow.
Commissioner Roger Goodell revealed that discussions are being held about addressing this problem. Changes could be coming in the next Collective Bargaining Agreement.
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The Chicago Bears would be a huge beneficiary of this outcome.
If you’re looking for proof that the void year problem is directly correlated to richer owners, just look at the statistics from last year. Four of the teams in the top 10 for most void money feature owners who are among the ten richest in the league: Stephen Ross (Miami), Woody Johnson (Jets), Jerry Jones (Dallas), and Shahid Khan (Jacksonville). The Glazer Family (Tampa Bay) ranked 11th.
The Chicago Bears are one of the least cash-rich owners in the NFL, with a total worth of just $1.3 billion. Their entire fortune is tied to the team. That is likely why they have no void years in any of their contracts outside of Ryan Bates, which they got in a trade from Buffalo.
If the NFL finds a way to slam the door shut on the void years loophole, it would force the richer teams in the league to be more beholden to the salary cap like everybody else. It restores parity and keeps things competitive. That helps the Bears.
