How Lelie Is Affecting Russell Signing

The Oakland Tribune had an interesting article this week discussing the ongoing negotiations between the Oakland Raiders and JaMarcus Russell. Essentially, it details how the contract dispute between the Broncos and Ashley Lelie has changed how contracts are written and why it is taking so long for the Raiders to agree to terms with Russell.  

Bill Soliday writes:

"Without getting too arcane, what it boils down to is that signing bonus money can be recouped by teams if the player defaults on his contract -- say, by holding out, not reporting or getting tossed in jail.

Conversely, option bonus money cannot be repossessed barring specified language to the contrary. When the dust cleared on the Lelie arbitration hearings, Lelie got his option bonus money ($220,000) back and didn't have to pay $300,000 in fines for not reporting, but had to pay the Broncos $600,000 in regular bonus money."

So essentially, at this point, Russell wants all of his bonus money to be classified as "option bonus" money and Al Davis refuses to write the deal that way.  

It's an interesting read.  I don't want to quote to liberally here, but worth heading over to read if you have time.  It's nice to know that at least Lelie has finally paid off for the Broncos, if only in terms of putting the Raiders in disaray!