subject: Luck downs down $50 million plus [print this page] Luck downs down $50 million plus Luck downs down $50 million plus
Let me start off by saying that this is not a criticism, but merely my opinion. Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck, to everyone's surprise decided to go back to college for his final year as opposed to entering the NFL draft. The thing that makes this amazing is that Luck was projected to be the first pick in the NFL draft. Now if you don't understand how this works, the current number 1 pick generally starts negotiations where the previous number 1 pick left off.
Last year's number 1 pick, Sam Bradford signed a 6 year, 50 million dollar contract, 24 million of which he was handed to him as soon as he signed the contract. More than likely, Luck's contract would have been more lucrative than that. Now as I said, the young man has the right to do whatever he wants to do, but I have a right to give my opinion also.
For several reasons, I question this decision. The number one reason being that there is no guarantee that he will be in the position to be the draft's top pick next year. In this year's draft, the 2nd pick earned $10 million in guaranteed money less than the top pick. Pick number 10 earned over $30 million less, so if just 9 players are picked ahead of him next year, he has already lost over $30 million before he even gets started.
One of the main reasons that the young man has given for returning to school is that he wants to get his degree. Now money is not everything, but just by going back to school for one year, he is putting at risk way more money than he will ever earn with that degree.
I think more than anything, this under scores our mindset. Most of us want to make as much money as we possibly can, but we are taught that there is a certain way to go about that, so when a better way comes along we are conditioned to look the other way. I can only imagine what would have happened if the Olsen twins, Mary Kate and Ashley would have turned down that role on Full House to graduate with their kindergarten class!
