Do NFL Players Get Paid for Jersey Sales?
Contents
Many NFL fans are curious about whether or not players get paid for jersey sales. The answer is a bit complicated, but we’ll try to break it down for you.
Introduction
In short, yes, NFL players do get paid for jersey sales. A small percentage of each sale goes to the player whose name is on the back of the jersey. However, this revenue is not typically a significant amount for most players. In fact, the vast majority of NFL players make the majority of their income from their base salary and bonuses.
What Do NFL Players Get Paid?
NFL players are paid for their performance on the field, with their salaries based on the league’s pay scale. They also receive a portion of the revenue from the sale of their jerseys, which is a separate source of income. However, the amount of money they make from jersey sales is not nearly as much as their salary.
Salary
NFL players are paid their annual salary based on the number of years they have played in the league and their experience. Veteran players with eight or more years of experience demand the highest salaries while first-year players make the least. Players typically receive annual raises as they gain more experience and service time in the league.
In addition to their salaries, NFL players also receive a portion of the revenue generated by ticket sales, television contracts, and other sources. This “sharing” of revenue is known as “collective bargaining” and is a key part of the NFL’s business model. The collective bargaining agreement between the NFL and its players mandates that 53 percent of all league revenue be paid out to players in the form of salaries, bonuses, and benefits.
Bonuses
In addition to their base salary, NFL players also receive bonuses. Bonuses are typically paid out for achieving certain statistical milestones, being selected for the Pro Bowl, or being named to the All-Pro team. Players can also earn bonuses for playing a certain number of snaps during the season, or for being on the active roster for a certain number of games. Some contracts also include signing bonuses, which are typically paid out in a lump sum when the deal is first signed.
Endorsements
In addition to their salaries, many NFL players also earn income from endorsements. An endorsement is when a company pays a celebrity or athlete to promote their product. For example, Nike may pay Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson to appear in an ad wearing their shoes.
Nike is hoping that people will see the ad and want to buy Nike shoes because Russell Wilson wears them. Endorsements can be a very lucrative form of income for NFL players. For example, New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady has endorsement deals with companies like Under Armour, Visa, and Hulu. Brady’s total annual earnings from these deals are around $8 million!
How Much Do NFL Players Get Paid for Jersey Sales?
When it comes to NFL player’s salaries, there are a lot of different factors that go into it. One of those factors is jersey sales. So, do NFL players get paid for jersey sales? The answer is yes, but it’s a little more complicated than that. When a player’s jersey is sold, the NFL Players Association gets a cut of the proceeds. The player then gets a percentage of that.
Contract Incentives
Most NFL contracts include performance-based pay, which is additional money paid out each season to those players whose playing time during the previous season excelled relative to their salary. In 2017, the average amount of performance-based pay was $32,400. Players on injured reserve are not eligible for performance-based pay.
Some larger contracts also include playing time incentives. For example, if a player hits a certain number of starts or plays a certain percentage of snaps in a season, he can earn an extra incentive bonus on top of his normal salary and any other bonuses he may have earned. These sorts of playing time incentives usually only apply to starters or high-level backups who see regular playing time.
Individual Sales
In the NFL, players are not paid for jersey sales. If a player is selected for the Pro Bowl, they may receive a bonus from their team. The amount of the bonus is based on their performance during the regular season.
The NFL does have a licensing agreement with Nike that allows them to produce and sell officially licensed products, including jerseys. A small percentage of the proceeds from the sale of these products goes to the NFL Players Association’s Health Insurance and Benefit Plan. This plan helps to cover medical expenses for retired players.
Conclusion
In conclusion, NFL players do get paid for jersey sales, but the amount of money they receive is typically not made public. The revenue generated from jersey sales is split between the team and the player, with the team receiving the larger portion of the sale. Players typically receive a bonus if their jersey is one of the top sellers, but again, the amount of money they make is not typically made public.
