The Associated Press was wrong.
It’s not the first time, and it won’t be the last. For them, for us (Terry Bradshaw, anyone?), or for anyone else in the media business. But for an organization of the size and scope of the AP, a blunder like the one committed on Wednesday is glaring.
John Krawczynski of the Associated Press reported that the Vikings and coach Leslie Frazier agreed to terms on a multi-year contract extension. “Two people with knowledge of the deal tell The Associated Press the two sides came to the agreement this week, following a season in which Frazier led the Vikings to a surprising 10-6 record and a playoff berth,” Krawczynski wrote. “Both spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal has not been announced and terms were not immediately known.”
The terms that were known were erroneous. There was no new deal. Instead, the Vikings merely picked up an option on the fourth year of Frazier’s original contract.
The Vikings have now announced the move. “Coach Frazier has done a remarkable job in building a strong foundation for the Minnesota Vikings and creating a very positive future,” Vikings president Mark Wilf said in a statement released by the team. “We value his leadership and look forward to working with him for many years to come.”
Frazier previously was under contract for one more year. He is now under contract for two more years. Without scrutinizing Frazier’s contract, it’s impossible to know whether the window for extending the contract opened recently or whether it would be closing imminently.
Regardless, it’s not a multi-year extension. It’s not an extension at all. And it really doesn’t give Frazier any extra security. Instead of being a lame duck in 2013, he’ll be a lame duck in 2014.
Barring the multi-year extension that Frazier didn’t get on Wednesday.