NFL: How To Earn $100 Million Plus, The Larry Fitzgerald Model

Larry Fitzgerald Set The Model for $100 Million

by Chad Jones

2004 3rd Overall Selection Larry Fitzgerald entered the NFL at 19 Years Old, and created the model for earning millions. 

Fitzgerald signed a 6 Year 40.0 Million Rookie Deal (20.0 Million of Escalators Available & $ 20.0 M Guaranteed) What Fitzgerald said to the Cards was if I don't pan out, the ramifications on the Franchise will not be overwhelming. But if I become an elite player, I'll earn millions. In reality, it was Agent Eugene Parker (Also represents Ndamukong Suh & Jairus Byrd on current deals) that showed unrivaled business acumen. 


Fitzgerald blew away the escalators, and the final two year cap hits (2008- $ 14.592 M & 2009- 17.355 M) overwhelmed the budget for resigning core players & adding talent via Free Agency. The most viable method for creating cap space was to reduce Fitzgerald's cap numbers, in essence ripping up his rookie contract & handing the 24 year old wideout the 2nd contract of his professional career. 

Fitzgerald signed a 2008 Extension- 4 Years 40.0 Million (12.0 Million of Escalators Available & 33.0 M Guaranteed). Per the agreement, the Cardinals relinquished the right to apply the Franchise Tag at the deals conclusion, and Fitzgerald was given a No Trade Clause. 

With Free Agency looming after the 2011 season & Fitzgerald having reached all the escalators; the Cardinals extended the cornerstone for 8 Years 120.0 Million (50.0 M Guaranteed) at age 27. In this process, Fitzgerald created the framework other 1st Round picks sought to emulate (Darrelle Revis, Percy Harvin & Ndamukong Suh are notable examples). 

Land 3 professional contracts prior to age 28, as teams are hesitant to commit major resources to non-Quarterbacks nearing the 30 threshold. 

The major deterrence to landing these 3 contracts was the dreaded Franchise Tag, so Agents negotiated contracts with massive escalators on 6 Year Rookie Deals to force General Managers in need to cap space to act early. The rookie deals came with low cap hits in the early portion of the contract, and when escalators kicked in General Managers were forced to restructure deals, essentially guaranteeing latter portions of the deal. When the cap hits become overwhelming, the second contract is quick to follow. As was the case in Revis' contract, the terms of the 2nd contract agreement at Age 24 or 25 removed the Franchise Tag option at the 2nd deals conclusion. This is what former Jets GM Mike Tannenbaum referred to as a, "Bandaid Deal". 

This framework initially protected General Managers investing high selections in unproven commodities under the old CBA. But it also created a new strategy for players to land 3 lucrative contracts, and ultimately retire having earned $ 100 Million+ in their short careers. Ndamukong Suh is brilliant executing this plan in Detroit, as teammate Calvin Johnson followed the Fitzgerald model perfectly.