MIAMI BEACH, Fla., Jan. 2 — RICHEST ROOKIE EVER ?? Alabama quarterback Joe Namath (right) looks at contract held by New York Jets coach Weeb Ewbank which Namath signed today making him possibly the richest rookie in football or any other sports. The contract will reportedly bring Namath $300,000 salary in the next three years, $100,000 in bonuses, and a guaranteed lifetime pension of $5,000 a year.
Forty-nine years ago today, Joe Namath signed his historic contract, which helped pave the way for the AFL and NFL merger. Has a rookie contract, or any other player contract, ever had such a drastic effect on a sport?
The only signing, that I can think of, that may come close to having as big an impact on a sport is the signing of Jackie Robinson.
Concur. This signing lead to parity with the NFL and the merger.
Boy, I’m sure Joe looks forward to the $5,000.00 per year pension. I believe the contract with NBC came before the Namath signing? If so, that was a catalyst for signing Namath and securing the AFL as a financially viable entity.
I’m curious, if he signed on Jan.2, when was the AFL draft? Wasn’t the title game on Dec. 26?
The draft took place before the regular season ended. Perhaps they wanted to get a head start on the NFL?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1965_American_Football_League_Draft
In the words of legendary NBC broadcaster Curt Gowdy, “check that.” The NFL draft was apparently the same day!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1965_National_Football_League_Draft
The draft of both leagues generally occurred in late November at the conclusion of the college season but before the bowl games.
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