We've seen scattered reports with bits and pieces of the contract signed Monday by Cowboys defensive end DeMarcus Ware. Much of what we've seen elsewhere doesn't mesh with the actual numbers.
So here they are.
Per a source with knowledge of the contract, Ware received a signing bonus of $20 million. The balance of his guaranteed money comes from guaranteed base salaries in the first three seasons.
The reality is that, in contracts with non-guaranteed base salaries, the base salaries for the first three years typically are guaranteed as a practical matter. So the "guaranteed" money comes from other devices, with the base salaries counting separately.
In Ware's case, he gets a 2009 base salary of $6.005 million, a 2010 base salary of $7.8 million, and a 2011 base salary of $6.7 million. All guaranteed.
In 2012, Ware gets a $4.5 million base salary with a $500,000 workout bonus. In 2013, the salary moves to $5.5 million, with another $500,000 workout bonus.
The final two seasons potentially are bogus, with base salaries of $12.25 million and $13.75 million.
So the six-year, $78 million contract is in reality a seven-year, $79 million deal with a practical value of five years, $53 million.
Ware will pocket $33.8 million the first two years, and $40.5 million in the first three.
It's hardly chump change, but as usual the deal isn't as good for the player as advertised by those with an incentive to advertise the fact that a blockbuster deal has been negotiated.
The real DeMarcus Ware numbers
Posted by Mike Florio on October 29, 2009 8:09 PM ET
Permalink
7 Comments 
Latest stories in: Contracts, Dallas Cowboys, Latest News and Rumors, NFL Mobile Exclusives - Rumors, Top Stories
Latest stories in: Contracts, Dallas Cowboys, Latest News and Rumors, NFL Mobile Exclusives - Rumors, Top Stories
you guys are slow on the trigger tonight florio ... kc star has been reporting for the last two-three hours that larry johnson and the chiefs are in negotiations for a settlement.
i hear they are already measuring him for uniform size in new england ...
this info is 3 days old... http://cowboysblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2009/10/the-new-money-in-the-demarcus-ware-deal.html
Andrew Brandt has an article on NFP saying the Ware deal is a phenomenal one.
Don't blame Florio, his bad hair days interfere with his job. Where do you get your toupee's at Florio?
It's not a toupee...it's a hair system(tm).
I think his nickname in school was "Under Ware"?
And Bill in DC, before you ask.
Yes, I would say it to his face, he'd probably not take it as seriously as you.
Quagmire says:
October 30, 2009 7:55 AM
And Bill in DC, before you ask.
Yes, I would say it to his face, he'd probably not take it as seriously as you.
---------------------------------------------
LOL