The CBA now limits the situations in which bonus money may be pursued by a team that already has written the check. When a player retires with years left on his contract, any signing bonus money that remains unallocated for cap purposes can be recovered.
For Vikings cornerback Asher Allen, who received a $725,000 signing bonus as part of a four-year deal in 2009, he has not yet technically earned $181,250 that applies to 2012. And the Vikings may try to get it back.
Vikings co-owner and president Mark Wilf said during a Thursday appearance on PFT Live that the team won’t be discussing any player’s contractual situation. Wilf nevertheless acknowledged that, indeed, the team has the right to pursue repayment.
Meanwhile, Allen has yet to address the reasons for his decision to walk away from the game. Initial indications are that Allen retired not for one specific reason, but for multiple reasons -- and that he simply lost the necessary passion to play. Until, however, he addresses the reasons personally, it will be assumed that his decision was driven in whole or in part by the new concerns regarding concussions.