NFL Signing Bonus - Not So Much of a Bonus Upon Signing

By Scott Daniels, Esq., NFL Draft Bible

Terrell Owens may have something else to cry about after an arbitrator ruled against him in a dispute with his former team, the Philadelphia Eagles.

Owens was adopted by the city of Philadelphia after a phenomenal 2004 season and a heroic effort in the Superbowl. Although the Eagles were unsuccessful in defeating the Patriots that year, Owens lived up to his hype as one of the most dangerous threats to any NFL secondary.

What looked like a long and prosperous relationship for Owens and the Philadelphia Eagles turned out to be more like a vicious Hollywood breakup.

Following the 2004 season, Owens began a campaign of self-righteousness and demanded that the Eagles renegotiate his contract. In November of 2005, Owens was suspended by the Eagles for calling the organization "classless" and criticizing his Quarterback, Donovan McNabb.

Many labeled Owens' departure from Philadelphia similar to that of a bitter divorce. Following a dismal 2005 season where Owens was dismissed from the team with five games remaining, he went on to sign a multi-year deal with the Dallas Cowboys.

It seemed as though the dysfunctional marriage between Owens and the Eagles was all in the past.

Not even close.

The Eagles quietly attempted to recover $1.75 million of Owens' initial signing bonus. For starters, the Eagles garnished his last five paychecks in 2005 totaling $955,880.

Wait a minute. Aren't signing bonuses guaranteed upon signing an NFL contract, hence the name "signing bonus?"

Not quite.

NFL players retain the entire amount of their signing bonus as long as they carry out the terms of their contract. If the player himself breaches his contract, the team has every right to go after some of that signing bonus money.

Remember that guy Michael Vick? The Falcons are currently seeking to recoup his $22 million signing bonus after his infamous actions.

Last Friday, an arbitrator ruled against Owens after the Players Union, on behalf of Owens, brought a grievance contesting the Eagles' attempt to recover $1.75 million in signing bonus money (His signing bonus was worth $2.3 million). The ruling effectively requires Owens to fork up the remaining $769,120. The Eagles already got the other $955,880 when they refused to pay him for last five games of the 2005 season.

In an interview with Mike Tirico on ESPN radio, Owens was asked how he felt about the situation. Owens replied, "It is what it is" and expressed his disappointment with the Players Union.

When asked about his concern about having to pay back almost $800 thousand to his former team, Owens said, "I'm not gonna really worry about the money. Money doesn't really make me."

Interesting. I'm pretty sure it was Owens' greed for more money that created this situation in the first place.