It’s been bugging me lately that sports contracts don’t mean what they used to. Teams are eager to trade or cut underperforming players, while overperforming players are quick to demand a renegotiated contract. You get situations like the Le’Veon Bell holdout from the Pittsburgh Steelers. Should he play out the last year of his contract then hit free agency, or should he secure long term security now before risking further injury?
Another reason this is issue is fresh in my mind is due to the conversations all summer regarding the Columbus Blue Jackets and Artemi Panarin.