Football NFL Playoffs pay is peanuts

cosmo20002 · 01-04-2014, 02:32 PM

I thought this was kind of interesting. Compared to their regular salary, a lot of players don't make much for post-season success.

A guide to NFL postseason pay
CBS Sportsline

January 3, 2014 1:38 pm ET

Compensation for players in the playoffs is much different than it is during the regular season. Playoff money comes from a league pool instead of from NFL teams. There is a specific amount for each playoff round where each eligible player gets paid the same.

Here's a look at how playoff compensation works for the 2013 league year.

Pay scale
•Wild-card game (division winners): $23,000
•Wild-card game (non-division winners: $21,000
•Divisional playoff game: $23,000
•Conference championship game: $42,000
•Super Bowl winning team: $92,000
•Super Bowl losing Team: $46,000

Most players take a significant paycut in the playoffs because their salaries have no bearing on what they make in the postseason. Players typically receive their entire salary over the course of the 17-week regular season. For example, Peyton Manning made almost $900,000 per week during the regular season from his $15 million base salary but will receive $23,000 for the Denver Broncos' divisional playoff game, just like the rest of his teammates.

Players on teams with wild-card-round byes (Carolina Panthers, Denver Broncos, New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks) are essentially working for free for the week since they will not receive payment. The additional rest and home advantage in the Divisional Playoff round are supposed to make up for the lack of money.

The maximum a player can earn in the 2013 season playoffs is $180,000 but the Super Bowl winner would have to be a division winner that participated in Wild Card Weekend (Cincinnati Bengals, Green Bay Packers, Indianapolis Colts, Philadelphia Eagles). Their effective weekly pay during the playoffs would be $36,000 when the week off between the Conference Championships and Super Bowl is factored into the equation. This amount equates to a $612,000 salary for the 17-week regular season, which is less than the $630,000 league minimum for players with three years of service. The maximum a player can earn if he is from a team with a first-round bye is $157,000. Payments during the playoffs must be made within 15 days after a game has been played.

For a player like Pro Bowl linebacker Vontaze Burfict, a 2012 undrafted free agent, winning the Super Bowl would be more meaningful financially than to most of his teammates since he is only making his $480,000 league minimum salary this season. An additional $180,000 represents 37.5 percent of his 2013 salary.

The real financial reward for the playoffs can come for impending free agents who elevate their level play as the stage gets bigger. When the 2012 regular season ended, the Baltimore Ravens didn't have any incentive to increase the $16 million-per-year contract extension offer Joe Flacco rejected prior to the start of the season. His stellar playoff performance forced them to briefly make him the NFL's highest-paid player with a six-year, $120.6 million contract, including $52 million in guarantees.

Outside linebacker Paul Kruger also benefited from an impressive postseason with the Ravens. He capitalized on a career high nine regular season sacks and an additional 4.5 sacks in four playoff games by signing a five-year, $40.5 million contract (including $20 million guaranteed) with the Cleveland Browns. Players who could potentially change their salary fortunes in the playoffs this year include Donald Brown (Indianapolis Colts), Tarell Brown (San Francisco 49ers) and B.J. Raji (Green Bay Packers).

Payment eligibility

Players on the 53-man roster and injured reserve at game time receive payment for wild card and divisional playoff games. Payment eligibility is more complicated for the conference championships and Super Bowl. The payment requirements for these two playoff rounds are outlined below.

Full Amount

1. Players on the 53-man roster when the game is played who have been on the roster for at least three previous games (regular season or playoffs).

2. Veterans (at least one year of service) put on injured reserve during the regular season who are still under contract when the game is played.

3. Vested veterans (four or more years of service) put on injured reserve during the pre-season who are still under contract when the game is played.

4. Players who aren't on the 53-man roster at game time that spent at least eight games on the roster (regular season or playoffs) provided they're not under contract to another team in the same conference.

The final category gives Nnamdi Asomugha a reason to root for the San Francisco 49ers. Since he was on San Francisco's roster for eight games, he will make $134,000 if they win the Super Bowl. Brandon Jacobs was in the same situation last year. He made $84,000 from the 49ers advancing to Super Bowl XLVII.

Half Amount

1. Players on the 53-man roster when the game is played who have been on the roster for less than three previous games (regular season or playoffs).

2. First-year players put on injured reserve during the regular season that are still under contract when the game is played and signed a player contract or practice squad contract in a prior season.

3. Non-vested veterans (one to three years of service) put on injured reserve during the preseason who are still under contract when the game is played.

4. Players who aren't on the 53-man roster at game time who spent between three and seven games on the roster (regular season or playoffs) provided they're not under contract to another team in the same conference.

When I was an agent, I had a client, David Gibson, receive payment from two different teams during the playoffs. He spent three games with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2002 before being traded to the Indianapolis Colts where he became their starting strong safety. He made $110,500 in playoff pay. $12,500 of it was from the Colts' wild-card game and $98,000 came from the Buccaneers winning the NFC Championship game and Super Bowl.

There is one more category that receives a one-quarter share for conference championships and the Super Bowl: First-year players put on injured reserve during the preseason who are still under contract when the game is played. They also must have been on a team's practice squad for at least eight games in a prior season or received one or two game checks while on a team's 53-man roster or injured reserve in a prior year in order to qualify for payment.

BlackHelicopters · 01-04-2014, 02:35 PM

Holy rip offs, Batman.

Rasputin · 01-04-2014, 02:36 PM

I feel so sorry for them. Sniffle sniffle.

WhawhaWhat · 01-04-2014, 02:39 PM

I'm in if they are roasted and salted or honey roasted.

bandwagonjumper · 01-04-2014, 02:41 PM

The NFL pay is definitely a joke compared to MLB, NBA or NHL. The pay is less, its not guaranteed and its physically more punishing.

Bewbies · 01-04-2014, 03:24 PM

They all play so much harder for less money too.

Valiant · 01-04-2014, 05:05 PM

I do not see a problem, they have a salary for the regular season and basically get bonuses for probowl and playoffs..

Seems like a good deal..

kcxiv · 01-04-2014, 05:15 PM

I thought this was common knowledge for years? I heard about this years ago as a kid in the early 90's when contracts started getting bigger. Its more of a pride thing they play for.

01-04-2014, 02:32 PM
cosmo20002 Debunking your bullshit Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: KC area Casino cash: $3630890	NFL Playoffs pay is peanuts I thought this was kind of interesting. Compared to their regular salary, a lot of players don't make much for post-season success. A guide to NFL postseason pay CBS Sportsline January 3, 2014 1:38 pm ET Compensation for players in the playoffs is much different than it is during the regular season. Playoff money comes from a league pool instead of from NFL teams. There is a specific amount for each playoff round where each eligible player gets paid the same. Here's a look at how playoff compensation works for the 2013 league year. Pay scale •Wild-card game (division winners): $23,000 •Wild-card game (non-division winners: $21,000 •Divisional playoff game: $23,000 •Conference championship game: $42,000 •Super Bowl winning team: $92,000 •Super Bowl losing Team: $46,000 Most players take a significant paycut in the playoffs because their salaries have no bearing on what they make in the postseason. Players typically receive their entire salary over the course of the 17-week regular season. For example, Peyton Manning made almost $900,000 per week during the regular season from his $15 million base salary but will receive $23,000 for the Denver Broncos' divisional playoff game, just like the rest of his teammates. Players on teams with wild-card-round byes (Carolina Panthers, Denver Broncos, New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks) are essentially working for free for the week since they will not receive payment. The additional rest and home advantage in the Divisional Playoff round are supposed to make up for the lack of money. The maximum a player can earn in the 2013 season playoffs is $180,000 but the Super Bowl winner would have to be a division winner that participated in Wild Card Weekend (Cincinnati Bengals, Green Bay Packers, Indianapolis Colts, Philadelphia Eagles). Their effective weekly pay during the playoffs would be $36,000 when the week off between the Conference Championships and Super Bowl is factored into the equation. This amount equates to a $612,000 salary for the 17-week regular season, which is less than the $630,000 league minimum for players with three years of service. The maximum a player can earn if he is from a team with a first-round bye is $157,000. Payments during the playoffs must be made within 15 days after a game has been played. For a player like Pro Bowl linebacker Vontaze Burfict, a 2012 undrafted free agent, winning the Super Bowl would be more meaningful financially than to most of his teammates since he is only making his $480,000 league minimum salary this season. An additional $180,000 represents 37.5 percent of his 2013 salary. The real financial reward for the playoffs can come for impending free agents who elevate their level play as the stage gets bigger. When the 2012 regular season ended, the Baltimore Ravens didn't have any incentive to increase the $16 million-per-year contract extension offer Joe Flacco rejected prior to the start of the season. His stellar playoff performance forced them to briefly make him the NFL's highest-paid player with a six-year, $120.6 million contract, including $52 million in guarantees. Outside linebacker Paul Kruger also benefited from an impressive postseason with the Ravens. He capitalized on a career high nine regular season sacks and an additional 4.5 sacks in four playoff games by signing a five-year, $40.5 million contract (including $20 million guaranteed) with the Cleveland Browns. Players who could potentially change their salary fortunes in the playoffs this year include Donald Brown (Indianapolis Colts), Tarell Brown (San Francisco 49ers) and B.J. Raji (Green Bay Packers). Payment eligibility Players on the 53-man roster and injured reserve at game time receive payment for wild card and divisional playoff games. Payment eligibility is more complicated for the conference championships and Super Bowl. The payment requirements for these two playoff rounds are outlined below. Full Amount 1. Players on the 53-man roster when the game is played who have been on the roster for at least three previous games (regular season or playoffs). 2. Veterans (at least one year of service) put on injured reserve during the regular season who are still under contract when the game is played. 3. Vested veterans (four or more years of service) put on injured reserve during the pre-season who are still under contract when the game is played. 4. Players who aren't on the 53-man roster at game time that spent at least eight games on the roster (regular season or playoffs) provided they're not under contract to another team in the same conference. The final category gives Nnamdi Asomugha a reason to root for the San Francisco 49ers. Since he was on San Francisco's roster for eight games, he will make $134,000 if they win the Super Bowl. Brandon Jacobs was in the same situation last year. He made $84,000 from the 49ers advancing to Super Bowl XLVII. Half Amount 1. Players on the 53-man roster when the game is played who have been on the roster for less than three previous games (regular season or playoffs). 2. First-year players put on injured reserve during the regular season that are still under contract when the game is played and signed a player contract or practice squad contract in a prior season. 3. Non-vested veterans (one to three years of service) put on injured reserve during the preseason who are still under contract when the game is played. 4. Players who aren't on the 53-man roster at game time who spent between three and seven games on the roster (regular season or playoffs) provided they're not under contract to another team in the same conference. When I was an agent, I had a client, David Gibson, receive payment from two different teams during the playoffs. He spent three games with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2002 before being traded to the Indianapolis Colts where he became their starting strong safety. He made $110,500 in playoff pay. $12,500 of it was from the Colts' wild-card game and $98,000 came from the Buccaneers winning the NFC Championship game and Super Bowl. There is one more category that receives a one-quarter share for conference championships and the Super Bowl: First-year players put on injured reserve during the preseason who are still under contract when the game is played. They also must have been on a team's practice squad for at least eight games in a prior season or received one or two game checks while on a team's 53-man roster or injured reserve in a prior year in order to qualify for payment.
Posts: 52,592

01-04-2014, 02:35 PM	#2
BlackHelicopters Spiraling down the Drain Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Dante's Ninth Circle Casino cash: $-10000	Holy rip offs, Batman. __________________ "We're both part of the same hypocrisy, Senator, but never think it applies to my family." "Fredo. You are my brother, and I love you. But never take sides against the Family again. Ever." 2019 Adopt a Chief - Travis Kelce #87
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01-04-2014, 02:36 PM	#3
Rasputin Tip of the hat LIV Champs Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: ks Casino cash: $25421	I feel so sorry for them. Sniffle sniffle.
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01-04-2014, 02:39 PM	#4
WhawhaWhat MVP Join Date: Feb 2013 Casino cash: $-688884	I'm in if they are roasted and salted or honey roasted.
Posts: 18,321

01-04-2014, 02:41 PM	#5
bandwagonjumper Starter Join Date: Apr 2009 Casino cash: $10009659	The NFL pay is definitely a joke compared to MLB, NBA or NHL. The pay is less, its not guaranteed and its physically more punishing.
Posts: 389

01-04-2014, 03:24 PM	#6
Bewbies Ith Fuhtbawl Time Join Date: Apr 2010 Casino cash: $9999900	They all play so much harder for less money too.
Posts: 10,085

01-04-2014, 05:05 PM	#7
Valiant Valiant 'The Thread Killer' Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Kansas City Casino cash: $4512380	I do not see a problem, they have a salary for the regular season and basically get bonuses for probowl and playoffs.. Seems like a good deal..
Posts: 18,558

01-04-2014, 05:15 PM	#8
kcxiv In Search of a Life Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Central Valley, Cali Casino cash: $8697996	I thought this was common knowledge for years? I heard about this years ago as a kid in the early 90's when contracts started getting bigger. Its more of a pride thing they play for.
Posts: 29,111