QtR Nevermore
Pro Bowler
Agreed. Players should not be taking less than the maximum to donate it back to the billionaire owners. Fans only ask them to because of the salary cap but that, in itself, is a very owner-friendly rule that puts an upper limit on players contracts. ( It also makes the league more competitive and entertaining, which is another benefit for the owners in TV revenue.)Why do you need contract language to allow for commercials? Why would that be a part of the contract?
Also, where does the "take less" mantra stop? Is it only for the most expensive players, or does it apply to cheaper guys too? Like why should the guy playing for $2M not take less and play for $1M?
The other "fallacy" is that taking less $ doesn't mean the team will even spend the $ or that it will necessarily translate into a better team. They could spend it on a player who sucks, gets injured, etc., or the Owner could just opt to not spend it at all.
Fans hope players (usually QBs) take less to be 'competitive', but their job is to be the best player they can be. It's the GM and coaches job to put the other pieces around the expensive player to build a winning roster.