Read the Language...Always

See below for a negotiation I recently had over player contract language with a NFL club...we will discuss in class Monday.

Draft 1
Player will have the opportunity to receive and retain a 2010 Roster, Reporting, and Playing Bonus in the amount of $25,000, if and only if Player achieves such amount by fulfilling the following terms and conditions:

(1) Player must be on Club’s 80-man roster on March 8, 2010; and
(2) Player must fulfill each and every obligation under the Contract and report, practice and play with Club throughout the 2010 League Year (unless such failure to practice or play is as a result of injury or death resulting from Player’s performing services pursuant to the Contract).
 This 2010 Roster, Reporting, and Playing Bonus will be conditionally advanced to Player as follows: $25,000 on or before March 20, 2010, but will not be earned unless and until Player’s eligibility to receive and retain such amount has been confirmed by the fulfillment by Player of Paragraphs (1) and (2) above.

Draft 2
From: ron del duca [mailto:rdelduca1503@comcast.net]
To: 'TMacCracken@Chiefs.nfl.com'
Subject: Copper

2010 ROSTER, REPORTING, AND PLAYING BONUS

Player will have the opportunity to receive and retain a 2010 Roster, Reporting, and Playing Bonus in the amount of $25,000, if and only if Player achieves such amount by fulfilling the following terms and conditions:
 (1) Player must be on Club’s 80-man roster on March 8, 2010; and
(2) Player must fulfill each and every obligation under the Contract and report, practice and play with Club throughout the 2010 League Year (unless such failure to practice or play is as a result of injury or death resulting from Player’s performing services pursuant to the Contract).

(From Ron Del Duca): So if he gets cut after week 1 or during camp he has to give the 25 k back? That’s wasnt the intent..supposed to be a signing bonus…just caught that..let me know

Draft 3
From: 'TMacCracken@Chiefs.nfl.com'
To: ron del duca [mailto:rdelduca1503@comcast.net]
Subject: Copper

Ron - Take a look.... thanks, Trip

2010 ROSTER, REPORTING, AND PLAYING BONUS

Player will have the opportunity to receive and retain a 2010 Roster, Reporting, and Playing Bonus in the amount of $25,000, if and only if Player achieves such amount by fulfilling the following terms and conditions:

(1) Player must be on Club’s 80-man roster on March 8, 2010; and
(2) Player must fulfill each and every obligation under the Contract and report, practice and play with Club throughout the 2010 League Year (unless such failure to practice or play is as a result of injury or death resulting from Player’s performing services pursuant to the Contract).
This 2010 Roster, Reporting, and Playing Bonus will be conditionally advanced to Player as follows: $25,000 on or before March 20, 2010, but will not be earned unless and until Player’s eligibility to receive and retain such amount has been confirmed by the fulfillment by Player of Paragraphs (1) and (2) above. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if Club terminates the Contract after the satisfaction by Player of the Condition specified in Paragraph (1) immediately above, so long as Player has not violated any terms of Paragraph (2) above but for the Club’s termination of the Contract, Player will be deemed eligible to receive and retain the 2010 Roster, Reporting, and Playing Bonus.

Now if player gets cut he keeps the bonus...end of story.