Friday, July 13th was a very lucky day for New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees.  It was on this day that Brees signed the richest contract in pro football history – 5 yrs, $100 million, $60 million of which is guaranteed. The deal includes a 2012 salary of $40 million.

Brees is one of the truly great leaders in sports.  Simply look at the videos above and below.  But what makes him, or any leader, worth that type of money?

Two recent articles, one by ESPN’s Pat Yasinskas and the other an Associate Press article on www.SportsIllustrated.cnn.com, give us insights into the value of Brees.  You can read both by clicking here and here.

If you wish to earn or maintain a generous compensation package, the following are 14 lessons and insights you need to know.

  1. Despite any turmoil that may exist, highly paid leaders bring a sense of normalcy to an organization.
  2. Highly paid leaders mask the dysfunction of others and still prosper.
  3. Highly paid leaders make average players look great.
  4. Highly paid leaders are admired by those they serve.  Teammate Malcolm Jenkins tweeted “Congrats bro … You’ve changed the game on and off the  field!!! No one deserves it more than you.”  All-Pro tight end Jimmy Graham added: “Congrats (at)drewbrees … very happy for you, your family  and all the Whodat Nation …. let’s go get the trophy.”
  5. Highly paid leaders have sustained success.
  6. Highly paid leaders are admired by other great leaders.  LSU head coach Les Miles tweeted “It’s a great day for New Orleans and the state of Louisiana. Congrats to both Drew Brees and the Saints on reaching a deal. Who Dat!”
  7. Highly paid leaders give organizations a brighter future.
  8. Highly paid leaders make everyone’s job easier.
  9. Highly paid leaders give people hope for success.
  10. Highly paid leaders are compassionate.  The Brees Dream Foundation provides approximately $8 million to improving the quality of life for children by refurbishing schools and renovating athletic fields and facilities.  Brees also supports the arts and hospital facilities for cancer patients.
  11. Highly paid leaders are highly competent.  Brees knows how to run the offense.
  12. Highly paid leaders have maturity that only comes from dealing with adversity.
  13. Highly paid leaders are competitive and consistent.  Brees told WWL-AM radio, “With a contract like this, people can say they’re paying me what you earned or what you deserved. In my mind, I always feel like I’ve got to go out every day and earn it and show people why you’re at that level,”
  14. Highly paid leaders want respect and significance more than money.  Brees added in that radio interview, “I can tell you from the start of this negotiation, I have not thought once about, `Hey, I want to be the highest-paid guy or what have you.’ … It was more about trying to look truly, just objectively, at the numbers the last decade for a top-tier quarterback and where it has been and where it is going and just trying to do what is fair and justified.”

Do you think $100 million is fair and justified?  I would be very interested in your thoughts.

Subscribe here so future posts can be sent directly to your Inbox.  Also, as a gift for doing so, I will also send you a FREE copy of my latest eBook 151 Leadership Quotes: Timeless Truths That Will Make You A Better Leader.

, , ,

Designed by Rolla Creative