Should you mainly concern yourself with getting top dollar as a well-established athlete? No. After all, money is not everything. Although it does not hurt to be among the most highly paid athletes in your sport, it will not necessarily make you satisfied in the long run. There are many other factors you must take into consideration. You will learn things to consider as a top sports free agent.
The ability to compete
It is vital to your satisfaction, legacy and potential Hall of Fame status to play on a team that has a stellar chance to win a championship each year. You will lose out if your team’s organization cannot surround you with a competitive team that consists of top-level players because you insist on being paid tens of millions of dollars each year.
Your team’s fan base
Strive to play in a city for fans that are knowledgeable about your game, adore you and always support you as long as you put maximum effort into your performance. Also, you should think twice about playing elsewhere if your fans plead with you to stay.
Where to play in your league
Focus on signing up to play in a city close to where you live, as this can give you more time to spend with your family. It is also important to consider the type of stadium each team in your league has. If you are a baseball pitcher who gives up a lot of fly balls, it is best to avoid playing in a ballpark where it is easy for hitters to hit a home run.
A no-trade clause
Try to negotiate a contract that says your team cannot trade you to another team without your consent. By doing this, you will avoid going to a team you do not want to play for; furthermore, this will make it easy to settle down in one location where you can have a permanent residence and send your kids to one school for a long time.
Length of your contract
Rather than seek top dollar, you should pursue signing with a team for at least six years at a reasonable rate. Doing this will give you long-term financial security.