NFL Personnel Moves: Parcells May Opt Out Of Dolphins Deal
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Sale Of Dolphins Could Allow Parcells
To Opt Out Of Contract With Team |
Dolphins Exec VP/Football Operations Bill Parcells has an "iron-clad clause" in the four-year contract he signed last December with the club that "allows him to walk away if [Owner Wayne] Huizenga ever sells the team," according to ESPN's Chris Mortensen. Huizenga has agreed to sell 95% of the team to co-Owner Stephen Ross, but Parcells' contract "specifically states only Huizenga can be an authority over him." Once Ross officially becomes the owner, Parcells "has to notify Ross within 30 days that he intends to exercise his walk-away clause and collect the full balance of $9[M], cash and carry." Parcells would then become a free agent, and "any team that wants his services would not owe compensation to the Dolphins." The Jets, Lions, Browns and Raiders are among the teams reportedly interested in Parcells if he leaves the Dolphins. Mortensen notes Ross "could always ask Parcells to extend this out clause by just one year because it’s a one-time deal, and I think Parcells would be receptive to that." However, it is "not a roll-over deal as it stands now." Meanwhile, Huizenga is "pushing to close on the deal by Tuesday to ensure that the capital gains taxes remain at 15[%] before President-elect Barack Obama takes oath in January." And though Ross is looking for minority investors, sources said that he is "fully able to close whenever Huizenga wants to do that, whether its next week or the next week or the week after” (“Sunday NFL Countdown,” ESPN, 12/28). Huizenga said that his sale to Ross was "set to close" tomorrow, but since the Dolphins made the playoffs, it now will close "shortly after their final game." Huizenga said of Parcells possibly opting out of his deal, "It's out of my hands. I've told him he ought to stick around. I don't know what he's going to do" (PALM BEACH POST, 12/29). Ross said that he has talked to Parcells about the situation, "emphasizing that he wants to see Parcells remain with the team." Ross: "I certainly want him. Hopefully, he'll stay" (MIAMI HERALD, 12/29). Ross added of Parcells: "He's the greatest and I would hope he doesn't leave. He's in a great situation, I hope, for him" (South Florida SUN-SENTINEL, 12/29).
NOT A DONE DEAL: SI's Peter King writes of Parcells opting out, "Don't think it's a done deal, or that he's decided to do it." But King notes Parcells "isn't Ross' cup of tea, and if he isn't, then yes, Parcells will leave and take the money." King: "I wouldn't be surprised to see him go work in Detroit. ... He's always had a thing for Detroit" (SI.com, 12/29). But ESPN’s Skip Bayless said if Parcells "has a chance to pocket $9(M) right now and step right into an outrageous bidding war that, I don’t know, may net him $10-12(M) a year for the next five years, I say he will walk." Bayless: "How many 67-year-olds are the hottest property in their sport right now?” (“ESPN First Take,” ESPN2, 12/29).
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