The first selection in the National Football League draft Eli Manning agreed to a contract with the New York Giants that will pay him a record US$20 million signing bonus, his agent said Thursday.
The quarterback's bonus is believed to be the second highest in NFL history, behind only the US$34.5 million the Indianapolis Colts gave his brother Peyton in March. That deal also was negotiated by agent Tom Condon, who represents both Manning brothers.
The Giants began training camp practices Thursday in Albany. The team would not immediately comment on its negotiations with Manning.
PHOTO: AP
New York traded for Manning after he made it clear that he did not want to play for the Chargers, who had the No. 1 selection in April's draft. The Giants, who had the fourth overall choice, took another quarterback, Philip Rivers, then traded him to the Chargers along with several draft picks for the rights to Manning.
The most troublesome issue in contract talks between Condon and the Giants was not the amount of money but the complicated salary cap for first-year players imposed by the NFL's collective bargaining agreement with the players' union. Because the Giants traded a player for Manning, they were allocated money under the rookie salary cap that goes with the fourth pick. Had they traded the choice rather than the player, they would have been allowed to offer money permitted for a No. 1 selection.
Still, Giants general manager Ernie Accorsi said they would pay top-pick money to Manning. Accorsi said this week he was confident a deal would get done.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Forget Real Madrid, Manchester City or Paris Saint-Germain, the world’s best soccer team — statistically speaking — might be a little-known outfit from the closed central Asian nation of Turkmenistan. Founded last year, Arkadag, named in honor of former Turkmen president Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow, have been unstoppable, notching up 36 consecutive domestic victories in a run still ongoing. The side have not lost a single competitive match and swept to a league and cup double in their inaugural season — success unthinkable almost anywhere else. However, in Turkmenistan, it could hardly have gone any other way. The energy-rich country is one of the most closed
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping