Boss With Locs Featuring Richard Sherman
Boss With Locs Featuring Richard Sherman
“You got people out there running their mouths and bashing me for having the audacity to think I’m qualified to negotiate my own contract — like, Who do I think I am? Well, I’m the one looking out for myself and my family.” - Richard Sherman
In November 2017, Sherman tore his torn Achilles tendon, ending his season early. In the following March, he was released from the Seahawks without the opportunity to negotiate a new contract. Sherman went from one of the top cornerbacks feared by quarterbacks throughout the league, to a player without a team right before his 30th birthday.
But that didn’t last long, just hours after Seattle announced he was released, the Sanfrancisco 49ers reached out to Sherman to invite him to a private dinner. Within the next week, Sherman and his family met with the team’s strategists, doctors, and even some players welcomed Sherman to their city. The star cornerback soon found himself negotiating a contract with the 49ers without the help of lawyers or agents to guide him. A move that was highly criticized around the league.
Richard Sherman's contract with the 49ers is basically a case study on how not to negotiate a contract https://t.co/MIJrqeoR7G
— Ben Volin (@BenVolin) March 12, 2018
Richard Sherman contract (1-yr/$7M at its core: signs w/only team he visits) is cautionary tale to all players about doing deal w/o agent
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) March 12, 2018
Richard Sherman is an intelligent man, as demonstrated by attending Stanford. But he isn't an attorney. There are nuances to negotiations. This is why people spend 3-years and $100,000 plus to attend law school. The Niners got the best end of this deal.
— Alicia Jessop (@RulingSports) March 21, 2018
After a dissapointing season finishing 4-12 with the 49ers, making 0 interceptions, and giving up 35 passing touchdowns, many saw Sherman’s contract a mistake. But 2019 was a different story and the incentives he negotiated started to pay off. Richard made the Pro-Bowl, was selected Second-Team All-Pro, and achieved a playing time bonus. Each of these adding an approximate $5 million bonus to his $27 million contract.
“One of the main reasons I had decided to represent myself in negotiations was because I knew it would be a big challenge, and I never shy away from a challenge. But also, I wanted to be represented by somebody who was going to look out for my best interest and nothing else. So I thought, ‘Who better than me’?”
Congratulations on an incredible season, making it to the SuperBowl, and thank you for showing us what it means to believe in yourself.
