Ricky Williams Not Absolved Of $8 Million Debt To Dolphins After Contract Extension
Running back Ricky Williams didn’t wait for a call back from his longtime agent, Leigh Steinberg, before negotiating a contract extension with the Miami Dolphins last month.
Williams, 31, was slated to earn the veteran minimum $730,000, but now will also receive an additional $93,000 roster bonus for every game he plays this year, which should net him about $2.2 million. He was given an additional year for approximately $3.3 million in 2009, with a potential for more if he reaches performance incentives.
However, Williams, 31, still owes the Dolphins an $8.1 million judgment and that wasn’t broached in the extension, according to a source. Although it’s unlikely, the Dolphins could garnish Williams’ salary and his assets at any time.
It won’t be easy for Williams to reach performance incentives while sharing the load with Ronnie Brown and playing behind a young offensive line with inexperienced receivers. Williams gained just 24 yards on 10 carries Sunday.
“It would’ve made sense for Ricky to wait further into the season to see how he felt about things,” said a source. “He never should’ve done an extension without them dealing with the judgment. He could’ve leveraged that on becoming a free agent when people can make competitive bids on you.”
- Harvey Fialkov, Sun Sentinel
Comment by Basnight on 10 September 2008:
Ricky was just trying to show the Dolphins his loyalty by signing quickly to their terms. It may not have been the best move because often times players show their loyalty to teams who but find out in the end that the team does not have that same loyalty back. In the case of Cowboys and Emmith, Packers and Brett, and coumtless other athletes. I hope it works in his favor.