Social Media Sports Contracts?

A contract by legal definition needs an offer, a specific acceptance of that offer (mutual assent to a specific subject matter) and some form of consideration (i.e. you give something up to get something, and I give something up to get something).  Of course, when dealing with real life contracts, there can be many external and internal factors that determine the offer, the acceptance, and the consideration.  And when one side has an advantage by being able to act or influence the other side?  That of course is leverage.

Sports contracts negotiations in general have been closed to the public, except for a reporter telling you the final terms of the deal.  But what would stop a team, or more likely, a player from utilizing social media to create leverage in negotiations?  Understanding initially that it is still the fans that ultimately pay the contracts of the players and the team, what if, by releasing never before heard details, one side could turn the fans against the other side?  I think it certainly has the potential to impact future negotiations if a player and the fans agree that a player is being severely underpaid…Right Owen Daniels?

Owen Daniels, Houston Texans tight end and perennial fantasy sleeper, has taken his dissatisfaction with his current contract public to both friends and strangers across America on his Facebook page. Here’s the screen-grab from one of his most recent updates and his enthusiastic support group (including former Texans defensive end Anthony Weaver) encouraging Daniels to continue his hold out until the Texans’ money-holders give him the same respect as Yahoo’s! .

Go check out the Deadspin post for a screen grab of Daniels’ Facebook page.  Now sure, maybe Daniels facebook page isn’t enough leverage to cause negotiations to swing in his direction…but what if you’re Tom Brady and you’re doing the same thing? or LeBron James?And you’re keeping the fans abreast of actual contract negotiations so they can decide just how badly you’re being cheated (or trying to cheat the team)?  Could we see agents like Scott Boras or Drew Rosenhaus utilizing social media to not only build up their clients but to change public perception about them and the teams they play for in the future?

I think the answer to that question is, “yes”.

Deadspin — Owen Daniels uses Facebook to negotiate new deal with Texans