Andrew Luck Reportedly at Odds with Colts

[Gavin]

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d82a0d576/article/andrew-luck-colts-reportedly-at-odds-endorsements?module=HP11_headline_stack Thoughts?

[FireJimCaldwell]

Interesting.

This would be wear a more experienced agent would serve the player better than good old Unck.

At facevalue of the link, it seems the team is asking a bit too much.

[Gavin]

Question is why

[FireJimCaldwell]

Question is why

Why do they want control? I'm not sure I can convey my honest thoughts on that.

[21isSuperman]

If I am reading it right, this means the Colts are trying to have veto power over Luck's endorsement deals and he must run it by them for their approval before accepting. If I'm wrong, someone please correct me.

If my interpretation is correct, then the team is being a bit ridiculous. You just had Peyton Manning as your QB, arguably the most over-exposed player in NFL history. And doing all those endorsements and commercials never hurt his performance or the team. If you are trying to be more secretive, start by having Irsay shut down his Twitter

[FireJimCaldwell]

Using Eli Manning as an example, the Giants have timex as a sponsor for their practice facility.

The player on the other hand has a sponsorship with Citizen.

The team shouldn't have the ability to prevent that from happening.

With that said, the team/league wouldn't want a player getting a deal for the most popular brand of rolling papers, but to sign off on everything is a bit absurd.

[Smonroe]

http://www.nfl.com/n..._headline_stack Thoughts?

Assuming it's true, I have to agree with the author. The Colts are being ridiculous. If they don't trust Luck to make good decisions then they should have drafted RG3.

[MAC]

If true, that's ridiculous on the Colts part. I'm sure that the league or union imposes some standards regarding what is acceptable. Anything beyond that is none of the teams business. You are signing him to play football - get it done already.

[MAC]

Why do they want control? I'm not sure I can convey my honest thoughts on that.

Well putting it that way, suddenly I'm back to thinking about how when Polian was fired it was said by some to be indicative of Irsay wanting to retake control of his franchise. That would have been the wrong reason to fire Polian, and I have to question their motivations here as well. The exercise of too much control makes for a poor manager with frustrated and limited employees. Reading a lot into it of course, but this isn't a good sign.

[Smonroe]

If true, that's ridiculous on the Colts part. I'm sure that the league or union imposes some standards regarding what is acceptable. Anything beyond that is none of the teams business. You are signing him to play football - get it done already.

I agree. I don't think a team 'owns' a players identity. I mean, as long as the player isn't wearing the team uniform he should be allowed to endorse any product that meets the ethical standards in his contract.

As FJC pointed out above, Eli endorses a product that isn't endorsed by the team. No problem, he's not wearing a Giants jersey.

[manningstheman]

I could understand inserting that into someones contract that has had off the field issues. But, Luck has been nothing but a stand up kid. Unless, there are things we all dont now about. The Colts did select another QB in the same draft as him. Maybe they know something the rest of us dont. If not, then this is the most *ic thing to do to the supposed franchise QB of the future.

[Gavin]

Im not sure whats truth and whats embellished but I look for this to get ironed out soon, Training Camp isnt that far away and not long after that the season, I actually look for it to get ironed out well before training camp

[Dan]

Anyone heard of media sensationalism? It's slow news time, I'm sure there's not anything to worry about.

[FireJimCaldwell]

Well putting it that way, suddenly I'm back to thinking about how when Polian was fired it was said by some to be indicative of Irsay wanting to retake control of his franchise. That would have been the wrong reason to fire Polian, and I have to question their motivations here as well. The exercise of too much control makes for a poor manager with frustrated and limited employees. Reading a lot into it of course, but this isn't a good sign.

I would have to agree.

Control of the franchise is one thing, but he also has to remember that popular players and players with endorsements and QB's do fit that bill, increase the visibility of the franchise.

This also makes me wonder which if any of Manning's endorsements Irsay took offense with. Of course it could easily be that Manning was/is what people think of when they think of the Indianapolis Colts. That might step on Irsay's toes, bruise his ego, or hurt his feelings. Oh well.

[mark5362]

NFL.COM reports http://www.nfl.com/n..._headline_stack

Wow I'm lost on this one. Why?

[Gavin]

NFL.COM reports http://www.nfl.com/n..._headline_stack

Wow I'm lost on this one. Why?

[FireJimCaldwell]

I agree. I don't think a team 'owns' a players identity. I mean, as long as the player isn't wearing the team uniform he should be allowed to endorse any product that meets the ethical standards in his contract.

As FJC pointed out above, Eli endorses a product that isn't endorsed by the team. No problem, he's not wearing a Giants jersey.

[FireJimCaldwell]

You'll notice logo-less helmets.

If MasterCard would have been the official credit card of the NFL, then the logos would have been worn, a lot like the non-Giants jersey in the Eli ad above.

[HGRekks]

Entirely overreaching. Not sure any such situation exist, and if it does, I think it's overreaching as well. Luck's image is his and his alone. The Colts have every right to distance themselves from him if they disagree with a decision he makes or something he says or endorses, but they have no right to hold veto power over his ability to make his own decisions.

[pacolts56]

Now wait a minute!!....Let's look at this from the club's point of view.

I mean can't ya just see it now?

Andrew Luck sitting in a Vegas casino....endorsing a strip club....smoking a Camel non-filter....with a glass of the latest coolest Vodka in one hand....and with two of Vivid Video's latest stars on each arm?

Is THAT where you people want our classy Colts organization to wind up???!!!

[NewColtsFan]

First, I doubt having Uncle as the agent is the problem here. Luck being the 1st pick overall, I'm sure the NFLPA is heavily involved here. Remember, last year, after the lock-out, contracts were done almost on speed-dating type basis. This year, a much more leisurely pace.

As to the hold-up. I actually see the Colts issue. Say the Colts phone carrier/internet provider is Sprint (I think it is).... what happens if Luck suddenly shows up endorsing Verizon? Big conflict that undercuts the Colts deal. What if Pizza Hut is the Pizza of the Colts. And Luck shows up doing a deal for another Pizza company? You get the idea. Irsay doesn't want deals that the Colts do watered-down because of anything Luck does.

Perhaps the Colts were unable to get that kind of concession because Manning, after all, was Peyton Manning. If you're going to try to gain the upper-hand here, or some type of control, NOW is the time while Luck is still negotiating his first deal.

But, how will this play out? At least we're not hearing that off-set language is the issue. So, it sounds like *this* is the hold-up. Have to believe this gets worked out. The question is, how soon. At some point pretty soon, the rest of the un-signed players, and their agents will be getting antsy....

It's a weird world we live in.....

[FireJimCaldwell]

Now wait a minute!!....Let's look at this from the club's point of view.

I mean can't ya just see it now?

Andrew Luck sitting in a Vegas casino....endorsing a strip club....smoking a Camel non-filter....with a glass of the latest coolest Vodka in one hand....and with two of Vivid Video's latest stars on each arm?

Is THAT where you people want our classy Colts organization to wind up???!!!

[Gavin]

Now wait a minute!!....Let's look at this from the club's point of view.

I mean can't ya just see it now?

Andrew Luck sitting in a Vegas casino....endorsing a strip club....smoking a Camel non-filter....with a glass of the latest coolest Vodka in one hand....and with two of Vivid Video's latest stars on each arm?

Is THAT where you people want our classy Colts organization to wind up???!!!

[Balzer40]

I don't see this as any different than when a team write's into a contract that a certain player can't play other sports in the offseason or can't ride a motorcycle. This is just another form of protecting your investment. On face value, it may seem like it's no big deal for a player to endorse whatever they want, but when you're making multi-million dollar investments into these players, then the team should have the right to oversee what the player is up to in his off time. With that said, im not sure I believe this is even truly an issue. Seems to me like Pasqerelli may be reaching for news where there is none. Probably will be a rebuttal from Irsay or the team soon.

[pacolts56]

The NFL limits certain things(like those) right off the bat....

[FireJimCaldwell]

Another note from the original article the posted article was referencing.

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/luck-balks-colts-marketing-restrictions-195006432--nfl.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

The schedule for the payout of Luck's signing bonus, which will be $14,518,544, exactly the same as Cam Newton's in 2011. Newton was paid in two equal installments, but Luck and agent Will Wilson are said to be seeking something far more favorable. It's believed the Colts have improved the proposed bonus payout, but only by a little, with 55 percent due on execution of the contract and 45 percent payable next spring. Indianapolis has made similar signing bonus payout proposals to other draft choices.

[Gramz]

Im not sure whats truth and whats embellished but I look for this to get ironed out soon, Training Camp isnt that far away and not long after that the season, I actually look for it to get ironed out well before training camp

One would hope.

[Fx Stryker]

Jim Irsay. No surprise.

[Gavin]

I wonder if a company approached Luck to sponsor him and that the Colts organization by chance had an issue with that particular brand thats wants to sponsor Luck and the Colts and that might be where the problem lies?

[IndyBarb]

The media needs to keep their nose out of it!

[FireJimCaldwell]

I wonder if a company approached Luck to sponsor him and that the Colts organization by chance had an issue with that particular brand thats wants to sponsor Luck and the Colts and that might be where the problem lies?

I don't see how can that be an issue at the moment. Luck isn't under contract at this point.

If company x(Coke, Pepsi or Ford vs. Chevy) presented a sponsorship opportunity like Nike already has, then there is nothing stopping him from agreeing to terms.

Luck/Agent are balking as they should at this unrealistic demand from Irsay/Colts.

[Gavin]

I don't see how can that be an issue at the moment. Luck isn't under contract at this point.

If company x(Coke, Pepsi or Ford vs. Chevy) presented a sponsorship opportunity like Nike already has, then there is nothing stopping him from agreeing to terms.

Luck/Agent are balking as they should at this unrealistic demand from Irsay/Colts.

I also wonder if this has been what the real hold up has been in regards to signing his contract, I wouldn't doubt it

[FireJimCaldwell]

I also wonder if this has been what the real hold up has been in regards to signing his contract, I wouldn't doubt it

There seems to be 3 issues at hand.

• Off Set language
  
• Team sign off on player's sponsorship avenue
  
• Distribution of signing bonus
  

Dollars and length are dictated by NFL/CBA, which are usually the two biggest hurdles.

It shouldn't be the this complicated, but it seems that it is becoming far more complicated than it should.

[Gavin]

There seems to be 3 issues at hand.

• Off Set language
  
• Team sign off on player's sponsorship avenue
  
• Distribution of signing bonus
  

Dollars and length are dictated by NFL/CBA, which are usually the two biggest hurdles.

It shouldn't be the this complicated, but it seems that it is becoming far more complicated than it should.

Probably nothing to get concerned over just yet after all he has been practicing, now if training camp starts and he isn't there then that is probably when there is something to worry about

[NewColtsFan]

The media needs to keep their nose out of it!

Yeah.... right. Good luck with that happening!

The number one pick in the draft isn't signed to a contract yet. That's news.

What's the reason? That's news.

How will that get resolved. That's news.

It's the media's job to find out and tell it's readers/listeners/viewers. That's what they do. Free press and all that......

[Balzer40]

I don't think the Colts are wrong in wanting to approve Luck's endorsement deals. Like somebody else already stated he could get offered a deal that would be in direct conflict with another sponsor and that is probably their only issue here. Luck is not just a Colts employee during football season, he is a full time yr. round employee that is(or will be) under contract. Some regular company's have a moonlighting policy(which is essentially what this is). The easiest way to solve this is for the team to just tell Luck, he can endorse anything he wishes too as long as it doesn't conflict with any team sponsors.

[NewColtsFan]

Anyone heard of media sensationalism? It's slow news time, I'm sure there's not anything to worry about.

Where's the sensationalism? It's a story. Peter Pasquerelli, who's very well respected, reported it. There was no talk of long holdout or anything else that might suggest sensationalism.... He just reported the the story. That's it. That's his job.

The fact that you, or others here, might not like the story doesn't make a case of sensationalism.....

On the other hand, I agree with you.... don't think there's anything to worry about..... yet. Check back on this in July....

[IndyBarb]

Yeah.... right. Good luck with that happening!

The number one pick in the draft isn't signed to a contract yet. That's news.

What's the reason? That's news.

How will that get resolved. That's news.

It's the media's job to find out and tell it's readers/listeners/viewers. That's what they do. Free press and all that......

Free press, yes. Are the facts 100%, No...This is just my opinion. One line even suggested "one source with knowledge of the talks". Come on!

[dacoats]

http://www.nfl.com/n..._headline_stack Thoughts?

why don't they leave the kid alone, that let Manning do what ever the heck he wanted to do, now all of a sudden they want to hold this kid back.

I can't even think of a commercial that Manning isn't in. He made more money doing that than playing football.

This is all Manning's fault!

[NewColtsFan]

Free press, yes. Are the facts 100%, No...This is just my opinion. One line even suggested "one source with knowledge of the talks". Come on!

Barb....

I honestly don't know what you're objecting to? Really. First you write, the press should keep their nose out of it. Now you're complaining because you believe the facts are not 100% accurate and you don't like the quote.

The quote wordage is very common. Do you know how many people would know about this? Lots!

-- Someone inside the Colts

-- Someone inside Luck's camp

-- Someone inside the NFL Players Association

-- Someone inside the NFL office

That's lots of possible sources. The writer doesn't want to narrow it down anymore than that and potentially compromise the person. You don't want a source getting into trouble, or perhaps losing their job over releasing information. You protect them.

As I tried to share with another poster here.... just because you (or me for that matter) may not like a story, doesn't mean the press shouldn't cover it.

Just food for thought....