BREAKING FRENZY NEWS: Shaun Alexander at odds with BDSC management... VOIDS contract!

[Preds]

Frenzy News

Hamburg, NY
by Rhett Zoan for FSPN (Fantasy SPorts Network)

My sources on the west coast have confirmed with high level management in the Brain Dead Squirrel Chasers organization that RB Shaun Alexander has voided the last 2 years of his contract.

Alexander, who finished # 7 among RB's last season, has grown discontent with his contract which is near the league minimum at only 133 cb's for the upcoming 2004 season.

My sources told me that BDSC has made several overtures to appease the star RB in the past couple months in attempts to restructure the contract but have been unsuccessful coming to terms on what Alexander desires; a market driven salary.

When I first heard rumors that Alexander may be voiding his contract, I checked with the league offices and the players union. Apparently there was a clause buried in Alexander's contract that allowed Alexander to void his contract if he met certain performance incentives, which BDSC management originally thought would be difficult for the young player to achieve. My sources have indicated that the 2 clauses that have sprung the young star free were that he had to complete 3 full seasons and finish in the top 5 at his position at least 2 times during the life of the contract. While Alexander fell just shy of the top 5 at RB last year, he did meet the criterea in the 2 prior seasons, having finished #4 each of those years.

After some calls, BDSC management has stated that they have received authorization from the league to still control his rights, despite Alexander voiding his contract. My BDSC sources told me the team is likely to tag him at the level commesurate with 2nd round compensation. I contacted Shaun at his hom this evening, and he told me "A return to the Squirrels is entirely possible, I haven't ruled that out. But I feel I deserve a more market driven salary and took advantage of the loophole my agent inserted in the contract." Apparently Shaun doesn't share agents with Terrell Owens and Dennis Northcutt!

I contacted Frenzy Rules Chairman Mike SantaLucia, regarding the situation and he indicated to me that the Rules Committee had conferenced this afternoon and after debate have granted BDSC the rights to tag Alexander at no higher than 2nd round compensation.

The players union was unhappy with the committee's decision, but have stated an appeal was unlikely since it would be extremely difficult for them to win. SantaLucia explained that "Despite voiding his contract, Alexander's rights are still held by BDSC and his fate as a RFA or UFA is at their discretion, just as any other player is when their contract expires." SantaLucia also stated that "Since the contract was voided by the player, the Squirrel Chasers will not face any cap hit repercussions."

The unique situation forced me to press deeper, and when asked if their were other players in the Frenzy who had the rights to void their contracts SantaLucia replied "there may be a few, the situation hit us out of the blue, so I'm not prepared to tell you who else may have this same unique opportunity to void a contract. What I can say for certain, is that these clauses were only inserted into contracts for players drafted in the inaugural season's draft. Further, the only players who obtained these clauses, were generally rookies who were paid at or near the league minimum. If any other surface I'll be the first to let you know Rhett." While SantaLucia wouldn't admit it, my research has turned up some possibilites, specifically QB Michael Vick, RB Travis Henry, TE Todd Heap and RB Kevan Barlow, (although Barlow is unlikely to make the cut due to the lack of consistent performace over the majority of his contract).

With the recent rule changes voted in by the member teams of the league this past week, the 2004 RFA period promises to be like no other. A talent pool that already included star running backs Ricky Williams (also of the BDSC), LaDainian Tomlinson (of the defending Champion Predators), Ahman Green (of the Swords), and Edgerrin James (of the Dodgers) just got a lot deeper with the addition of Shaun Alexander.

As always, I'm Rhett Zoan, and when I learn more you'll learn more.

[Royal Hawaiian Opihi]

Okay, that was a pretty well-written article...

BUT WHAT THE HECK WAS IT SAYING?!?!?!?!

The BDSC just cut a player making 133 cbs?! Are they insane? Or are they being "extremely magnanimous" and getting rid of the "el cheapo contracts" so that the entire league will be on a "more even plane"?

Cuz, just between you and me, Travis Henry is FINE with his low-end OPIHI contract! He's still trying to live down his "What-do-you-mean-she-wasn't-18?" run-in with the law. He's grateful to be gamefully employed right now, thank you very much!

[Flaxwless]

I think Joe is being a sport about it.

He doesn't want an asterix next to his name if he ever happens to win the championship.

[Preds]

Originally posted by Royal Hawaiian Opihi
Okay, that was a pretty well-written article...

BUT WHAT THE HECK WAS IT SAYING?!?!?!?!

The BDSC just cut a player making 133 cbs?! Are they insane? Or are they being "extremely magnanimous" and getting rid of the "el cheapo contracts" so that the entire league will be on a "more even plane"?

Cuz, just between you and me, Travis Henry is FINE with his low-end OPIHI contract! He's still trying to live down his "What-do-you-mean-she-wasn't-18?" run-in with the law. He's grateful to be gamefully employed right now, thank you very much!

! I told Joe he was insane, but this was something he really wanted to do.

What I wanted to do was list the remaining rookies from the inaugural draft who still had the super low end contracts. If any other team chooses to walk in Joe's footsteps they'll be granted the same treatment, but in no way should they feel compelled to do so.

Personally, Barlow was a huge part of my 20+ player trade 2 years ago (which included trading Henry to your Opihi), and although he disappointed me for a bout 1 year and 11 months, he finally showed something the last month of a year and helped take me to my 1st title. Of course Henry and his cheap salary is one of the reasons you let go of LT who was only making what, about 1400? Don't worry about Henry, he has McGahee pushing him and is in the final year of his deal just like Barlow.

However, if you want to avoid that *...

:wow

[Philadelphia Freedom]

Okay, Joe I respect the decision and the sentiment but I gotta say that is C-R-A-Z-E-E-E!

I guess a man's gotta do what man's gotta do!

This league was already by far the best one I have ever encountered and it just keeps getting better!!!

[Ypsilanti Undead]

The halls of Valhalla will long remember Joe's action as a paragon of honor, sportsmanship, and chivalry!

[Brain Dead Squirrel Chasers]

You can all thank me by not bidding up Alexander in RFA

Besides, it'll be much sweeter after my championship knowing I didnt have slave labor working for me. :IconDrink

[Royal Hawaiian Opihi]

You can fill the entire trophy with asteriks, for all I care... when it comes to the islands (and it IS coming to the islands... someday!), I'll still display it proudly!!!