Well I don't exactly see his point, he's making big money now and is really just defering even bigger money and he will sign the extension eventually so it's not like he's losing out. If I understand extensions they are not ripping up current contracts, so that you make what the current contract says you are going to make. It just means that the years not covered by the current contract are going to be for more money. Terry
Isn't the bulk of his team returning? Why not wait to see if he can win two NCAA tourneys in a row before signing an extension? That's good leverage. Good spin, too.
Obviously his whole point BDR is that these returning players made financial sacrifices to compete at UF for a repeat NC. Good move by Billy not to break that pattern and to show support.
Not so obvious, apparently MCG, is that this is really much ado about nothing. The guy's sitting pretty right now, making very good money with three years to go. If he wants to delay signing an extension at this point, it's a financially savvy move for him, with a potentially large upside. I wouldn't sign an extension right now, either. At $1.7MM per, baby's getting new shoes every day already.
Billy is going to make the same money this year no matter what, those guys are not going to make a dime this year when they could have been making NBA coin. Only way it is equivalent is if UF was going to tear up his contract and rewrite it so that he would make more money this year. But I'll give Donavan credit, he's doing something right when those guys come back for another year rather than take a shot at the NBA. Just don't try to convince me he's making a financial sacrafice. Terry
Unless Foley has written in blood how he will pay Billy D 500K more at the back end of next year's extension then how does Billy know for sure he will recoup the 500K more he probably would have received with an extension this year?
No need for blood (or drama). It's an astute gamble. The upside is an even bigger increase or a longer extension. Not much downside.
I don't question for a millisecond that he is a class person. I like him simply because he took a Catholic school to the championship game when he played at Providence. He also is a very smart person. I'm with Rick. Unless he is caught in an internet porn sting this next year, he quickly will make up the $500m the he "lost" plus much more, whether at FL or somewhere else. It's a smart move, calculated to the point where it really isn't a gamble so much as it is deferring an increase in compensation. I also am not losing sight of the fact that it is a very effective motivational tool for his returning players. That alone justifies the move and further enhances his stature as an excellent coach.
Just to be clear, Billy D is no doubt a very good coach and for his players to stay an extra year says a lot about him. I just don't think he's made a financial sacrfice, unless as Sid said he gets caught in a Larry Eustacy situation or a Mike Price situation.
Hey, if it makes a good story with his team it's ok with me. Billy D is a class act though and the Gators are very fortunate to have him in Gainesville.