Check out the filing at the bottom of this post.  I can’t see how Pickett has any shot of winning this.  You sign a contract, you expect and receive services you specifically request, and then you refuse to pay the minimal agent fee?  C’mon man!

Pickett is a defensive end with the Green Bay Packers.  He is currently represented by Kennard McGuire of MS World.  McGuire has huge name clients like Andre Johnson, Brandon Marshall, and Vince Wilfork.

Tom Condon v. Ryan Pickett from Sports Agent Blog - Sports Business, Sports Law, Sports Negotiations, NCAA Rules

There hasn’t been a better than average two-sport athlete since the likes of Deion Sanders and Bo Jackson, but Brandon Marshall may be the next one to join this elite list.  The Miami Dolphins’ Wide Receiver said that if the NFL teams lock out the players for next year’s season, he will try to play in the NBA.  The NFLer said he was good enough to play shooting guard in the NBA, and when asked if he will pursue a career as a basketball player he responded, “not pursuing-I’m going to be on an NBA team.  Seriously.”

Marshall played basketball at Lake Howell High School in Florida.  He said that he will work with a basketball coach to prepare for the lockout – a lockout he is confident will occur next year.

Marshall signed a four-year, $47.5 million contract extension with the Dolphins in April.  How will the Dolphins feel about him training for another professional sport while under contract?

Marshall isn’t the only player to make comments about playing in another professional sports league recently.  LeBron James said that he could play in the NFL.

If there is an NFL lockout next season, many of the NFL players will look for ways to make up for lost income.  The NFL season runs almost parallel to the NBA season.  Will Marshall be the only NFL player that will attempt a crossover to another professional sport?  Maybe Marshall has what it takes to make an NBA roster, but I seriously doubt that the NFL wide receiver that hasn’t played true competitive basketball in eight years won’t reach the caliber of past two-sport stars.

Unemployment Isn’t For Me from Sports Agent Blog - Sports Business, Sports Law, Sports Negotiations, NCAA Rules

Although in the past, Terrell Owens has advised fans to “getcho popcorn ready,” it seems that owners and coaches alike aren’t quite that hungry for his presence on the field nowadays.  After last year’s stint with the Buffalo Bills in which Owens amassed a meager 55 receptions for 829 yards and only 5 touchdowns, not many teams are clamoring for the loud mouthed 36-year old to join their receiving corps.  Don’t try telling that to T.O.’s agent Drew Rosenhaus, though.  Rosnehaus reportedly told ESPN’s Adam Schefter that he was “very confident” that Owens will be signed to a new team within the next few weeks.  However, this isn’t saying much coming from the ever-confident Rosenhaus, who has over 100 active negotiated NFL contracts.  Hell, he even negotiated the price of his lunch on a SportsCenter commercial that aired on ESPN.  However, convincing a cafeteria worker vs. the likes of Bob McNair and Bud Adams is a completely different animal.  Here are some teams that could be interested in T.O., who is now self-proclaimed “patient” and still in great shape:

1. Houston Texans.  While he would have to take a backseat to the number 1 receiver, Andre Johnson (something that would not bode well with the ego we’ve all grown accustomed to T.O. brandishing), Houston could use Owens in the number 2 spot for shorter routes and checkdown plays on which Johnson is doubled deep.  QB Matt Schaub led the league with 4770 passing yards last year, and could use another big time target.  The Texans had their first winning season in 2009, and though they narrowly missed making the playoffs, perhaps T.O.’s desire to win can help put them over the edge.  However, his infamous reputation as a “locker room cancer” could set Houston back.
2. Cincinnati Bengals.  “League clown” Chad Ochocinco and Terrell Owens (at least according to Ochocinco’s Twitter page) have become very close friends this past offseason.  Both are filming television shows for VH1, both have been attending the same parties and traveling in similar circles of friends, and both are loud, obnoxious, and extremely athletically gifted.  While these are in no way, shape, or form reasons to pay someone millions of dollars to join your NFL organization, you can’t help but hope that the off-field chemistry between these two guys could translate into a spectacular tandem of receivers on the field.  Again, though, their locker room antics could ruin whatever chemistry the rest of the team may have at this point.
3. Tennessee Titans.  Nate Washington, Kenny Britt, and Justin Gage.  The top three receivers for the Titans at this point are virtually unknowns unless you play in a 12-team fantasy league.  Also, rumors had it that Tennessee was interested in signing Matt Jones – not the most stable-minded player available.  This is an upside for Owens.
4. Denver Broncos.  When one door closes, another door opens.  They just unloaded Mini-T.O. (Brandon Marshall) so why not pick up the real deal?  With the gamble McDaniels and the Broncos organization took drafting college great but possible NFL bust Tebow in the first round, there’s no reason they can’t gamble on the guy he could throw to.  Additionally, although he hasn’t gotten along with quarterbacks in the past, maybe the older, dare I say more mature and humbled, Owens could provide the rookie Tebow with wisdom and advice?  Or perhaps in this case, it would be the other way around.
5. Washington Redskins.  Terrell Owens teaming up with the quarterback he once vehemently feuded with on the sidelines during a game, calling him out and saying that Brett Favre would be better in his position, would be interesting.  Playing in the same division with two previous teams he had “strained” relationships would also be interesting.  Living and working in the nation’s capital with plenty of media abound at all times would be far too interesting.  Nonetheless, the Redskins could use a talented receiver opposite Santana Moss, and T.O. could be the best available.  Interesting…

There could be more teams pondering the acquisition of Terrell Owens, and there could be less.  Regardless, it is more than likely that Rosenhaus will have his client on one of 32 rosters within the next few weeks.  If only he could convince owners that they should be as “very confident” as he is in Terrell Owens, it could be sooner than later.

Rosenhaus Has Options With Terrell Owens from Sports Agent Blog - Sports Business, Sports Law, Sports Negotiations, NCAA Rules

Did you know that there is a clause in Brandon Marshall‘s contract that says he will earn a $2.7 million roster bonus in 2014 if he participates in 95%+ of Miami Dolphins Special Teams plays in 2010?  As of right now, I would say that there is a 0.00001% chance that Marshall actually benefits from this incentive clause.  So why would something like this be put into a contract?  To make Ken McGuire of MS World look good.  That’s the only reason I can think of.

The Richmond, Texas based agent must be thrilled that Brandon Marshall was traded and that he was able to negotiate a new contract for his client.  He’s probably not happy that Marshall is in shark infested waters (a.k.a. Drew Rosenhaus’ backyard), but he will live with it for now.  Anyway, MS World characterizes the deal as a 4-year, $47.5 million contract extension, which includes $24 million guaranteed.  The company’s website claims that Marshall is now the highest-paid receiver in NFL history.  Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com disagrees.

He says that the contract is worth $47.3 million over 5 years and that we should completely disregard the phony Special Teams clause.  He also isn’t too fond of the idea that,

If the Dolphins decide before April 2, 2011 that Marshall isn’t who they thought he was, they can walk away, possibly without paying Marshall another penny.  Prior to April 2, 2011, he has only $3 million in future guaranteed money that already has been unlocked.  But the contract contains offset language; if they cut him and someone else pays him $3 million in 2011, the Dolphins are off the hook for the balance of the contract.

While Marshall signed a great deal and McGuire probably did some excellent negotiating with the Dolphins, it is important to look at the beef of the contract instead of merely the “overall figure” that is thrown at you immediately by the major press entities.

Brandon Marshall Is Highly Paid, But Maybe Not Highest Paid WR from Sports Agent Blog - Sports Business, Sports Law, Sports Negotiations, NCAA Rules

The Brandon Marshall saga has tabbed the unruly pass catcher as just another troublesome wide receiver.

Just add him to the list of the NFL’s recent malcontents: Terrell Owens, Chad Ochocinco, Keyshawn Johnson, Deion Branch, Jerry Porter, and even in his short time in the league, Michael Crabtree, among others.

While he may be going about it wrong, he does have a point. He is scheduled to earn $2.2 million this year, a similar figure to what Bobby Wade, Arnaz Battle, Dexter Jackson, and Delanie Walker earned in 2008. But Marshall’s 206 receptions in the past two seasons suggest, obviously, a much higher level of play compared to his salary.

Everyone already knows Marshall is much better than his compensation, so how does he, or anyone for that matter, get a raise or a trade without being considered a team cancer? One way would be actually taking practice seriously and participating in team workouts, but Jay Cutler didn’t and he got what he wanted.

The position that Marshall plays seems to be having an effect of the way he is perceived. There are many other players who have contract gripes each year that aren’t as vilified as number 15 is. Julius Peppers complained to the Panthers asking to get traded and now he is the highest paid player this season.

Anquan Boldin has been pining for a deal or trade for a while, but has done nothing except a few complaints here and there to the Cardinals and the season is starting, and he is without a new contract or a new team.

Voicing a player’s desire through an agent can only go so far. Although, one third of the traditionally difficult receivers that were listed above are represented by Drew Rosenhaus and one is represented by Joel Segal, who has his share of players who have had trouble with the NFL or NFL teams.

So it may be more that Marshall’s trivial whining is actually a cerebral strategy, which in turn should not scare teams away from trading for or signing the star in the future as long as he is treated fairly.

Last year wasn’t Marshall’s first year of success; the Broncos should reward him with a new contract so the team can build around him and he can continue his reputation as a great wide receiver and a good entertainer, not as a disruption.

Though, maybe being a boisterous receiver has its benefits.  You don’t see anyone watching The Torry Holt Show on VH1.

Marshall’s Protests are Smarter Than You Think from Sports Agent Blog - Sports Business, Sports Law, Sports Negotiations, NCAA Rules

Like many other washed up (see: Emmitt Smith) and current athletes (see: Jason Taylor), Derrick Coleman thought he could boost his publicity and make some cheddar by appearing on a reality television show. Thus, he signed up for a taping of Spike TV’s, Pros vs. Joes. Turns out that Coleman injured his knee while boxing out a salesman from Philadelphia (quite the Joe). Stupidity Score = 6/10.

Brandon Marshall recently suffered lacerations in his arm. This sort of thing can happen. Maybe he was in a knife fight or was playing horseshoes with razorblades. Neither far-fetched story can match what truly happened, though. The Broncos receiver could miss up to four months of training, because he put his arm through a home entertainment center after slipping on a McDonald’s bag while on vacation in Florida. Stupidity Score = 9/10.

What’s worse, Marshall’s injury or Bill Gramatica’s injury? I vividly remember the little guy going crazy after kicking the game winner, only to be in agonizing pain thereafter.

Contract Clause For Stupidity from Sports Agent Blog - Sports Business, Sports Law, Sports Negotiations, NCAA Rules