March 12, 2015, Queens, NY From the minute that you’re born—you’re science incarnate; music incarnate (ask Professor George Simmons about the first drum—your heart); you’re math incarnate; you’re philosophy incarnate; you’re transportation incarnate; you’re communication incarnate; and your business incarnate. I tell my students that if someone can make a business decision about you, you can make a business decision about that someone.
Jerry Jones, Dallas Cowboys owner, makes business decisions about his players. And, he is within his rights. His business is the Dallas Cowboys. You also have a business, and it’s called You. The business, your business, started growing the moment you were conceived. And, the business, your business, is in operation at least until you depart, and in many instances, even after you depart.
If an employer could procure the services of a worker (or machine) that is more productive than you and less costly to maintain, works for half your compensation package, and is easier to maintain than you, you don’t think said employer would make a business decision about you? And that business decision would be, “Bye, bye.”
Revis and his camp are among the smartest. They understand that as an athlete, you operate two businesses. There is your on-the-field business (your performance and availability), and your off-the-field business. Revis excels in both areas. Revis takes care of his business on and off the field. Demarcus Murray and his camp do not. This is why—coming off his most productive year—he (Murray) is being punked. Treated like a chump. Treated like (toilet) tissue—ain’t that the issue?
Revis made himself the best and cashed in. He could have remained in New England, but more money was in New York. Plus, Revis is revered in New York. In New England, he’s behind Brady, Gronk, and Edelman when it comes to Rockstar status (can anyone say Chucko Cool Star—the first Rockstar Super Hero?). So he took his talents and his finger (ring finger that is—think Beyonce) and made the deal with the Jets. The ring (Super Bowl) increased his value, and he leveraged it.
What’s the difference between Murray and Revis? One is a businessman, and the other is a business. One conducts business, and the other is business. One is the hired help, and the other is a hired gun. (One of the best westerns to appear on television is Have Gun Will Travel—Bookmark it, Baby!)
The Hired Help – job seeker; company (wo)man; “I want to retire a …” (you fill in the blank) or “I’d really would like to stay with …” (your agent should slap the taste out of your mouth for such utterances); give me a gold watch and a retirement party. You get my drift?
The Hired Gun – career seeker; entrepreneur; noncommittal when asked about where s/he like to play. When you’re in the last year of your contract, the great marketer Kyle Greene says, “Always put the ‘for sale’ sign up. And let word get back to the team. If the team lets you get to the last year of your contract, make sure they know your suitcases are pack.”
It doesn’t matter if you want to stay—send the message that you’re ready to go. This starts to ratchet up the demand for you. If teams knew that Murray’s bags were packed, they (other teams) would have begun to clear cap space and make other personnel decisions. Revis never said he was staying in New England. And he didn’t say that he was going to New York (or Disney Land). By not saying that he was staying, he was saying that he was willing to be playing someplace else (put the vocal stress on the underlined words). It’s called, “putting yourself in play,” or “putting yourself in the mix.”
Dez (Bryant) was just as dumb. His first stupid move was putting number 88 on his back instead of opting to carve out his own legacy. If you wear Irvin’s (Michael’s) number, you’re saying you want to be a Cowboy for life. Behind closed doors (BCD) you can feel that way. However… your public posture has to be different. Dez has “hired help” mentality.
Revis “loves” the Jets (I’m guessing)—but, he didn’t hesitate when they weren’t willing to pay him the first time. “This is what I’ve done, pay me. Here’s what I’m worth, pay me. Don’t tell me about your being over the cap, pay me. Don’t tell me how many millions you have to pay because of the luxury tax, pay me. Don’t ask me to restructure my contract so you can PAY someone else, PAY ME! Or, I’m gone.”
NFL teams tell players, “Take less or I’ll cut you.” Now, in part, the players and the NFLPA are mainly to blame. How do you stand for contracts that are not guaranteed? And, you’re worried about concussions? Concussions? First, get your money right. You can’t do five years for $72 million with $35 million guaranteed. The deal should be five years for $72 million. Period. “Guaranteed” should be understood. This ain’t commission.
The rationale given by the teams is players can get injured, never play again, and the team still owes the player. And, the answer to that rubbish from the player’s standpoint is, “Exactly. I might get injured and never play again so my contract is my insurance and retirement. My business as a player may be over. In one play. One hit. (One shot, One Kill). And I’m done. I have more to lose than you, Mr./Ms. Owner. Your ownership is not done. But I am. Done. Finished. Over. Toast. (In the first “Die Hard” movie, one of the characters exclaimed, “The quarterback is toast.)
Revis is a Jet, once again. He will give his all to his on-the-field business, and he will give his all to his off-the-field business. The Jets know that they can’t rest easy. Not with Revis. They can never close both eyes. One eye must remain open. Revis knows the contract isn’t worth the paper it was printed on. He will look to restructure his deal upwards as fast as management would ask him to restructure his deal downwards. He’s not the hired help. He’s a hired (and higher) gun.
He’s a Business (Man!)
Professor Clifford Benton can be reached at cliffb@puresportsny.com