How the Dallas Cowboys sign Dak Prescott for less, just like Tom Brady

Do you think Dak Prescott should follow Tom Brady’s lead and sign for below market value with the Dallas Cowboys – here’s how to make that happen:

Are you up-in-arms over the growing cost of re-signing your favorite players? Are you sick and tired of spoiled millionaires throwing tantrums over guaranteed amounts? Do you find it hard to justify paying Dak Prescott like the best in the league, even though he’s not the best in the league? Fear not, disgruntled Dallas Cowboys fans, for I have a solution!

Or I should say, Tom Brady and the New England Patriots have a solution. As many know, their solution involves paying their QB1 less money than market value dictates. By playing at a reduced salary, Tom Brady affords his team a clear fiscal advantage in building a competitive roster. Can the Dallas Cowboys and Dak Prescott do the same? Sure! Just follow these simple steps:

No Supermodels Needed

Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need to marry a multi-millionaire supermodel to supplement lost income from a reduced salary. Recent stories have centered around such partnership but that’s meant to be more of a distraction from the real dealings that made this all possible.

We’ll get to that. But first, let’s look at what Dak needs to do, shall we?

Step 1

First, Dak needs to find an unqualified medical “expert” and start a company. Let’s call it, DP4. Perhaps they can create a magical elixir made up of everyday garden greens that not only cures concussions, but also prevents cancer, heart disease, and many other pesky health issues.

Step 2

Then the Dallas Cowboys could hire Dak’s company to provide dietary advice and treatment to the team (even though they don’t seem to be qualified to do so). Normally professional services like this fight tooth and nail to service the needs of professional franchises. In fact, they often even pay money to teams to be so privileged. Not only would Dak’s company not be asked to pay, but they’d be paid an undisclosed amount by the team!

Step 3

Finally, subtract the amount Dak’s making from his “business”, from the market value of being a QB1 in today’s NFL and…Yahtzee! You have a team friendly deal! See, all you have to do is buy a good or service from a company in which Dak’s an investor, and you can circumvent the salary cap. Easy peasy.

Sound Corrupt?

If you’re like me, this all sounds pretty darn shady. But it’s basically what Tom Brady and the New England Patriots are doing to supplement his lost income of accepting less. See also: Boston Globe on Tom Brady, the New England Patriots, and TB12

Tom Brady’s contracts escalated consistently (in total value) until 2013 – the same year his company TB12, was hired by the Patriots for an undisclosed amount. So it’s entirely possible he’s actually making more with his added business dealings than he would if he’d be making just straight market value as a QB1.

This is nothing unique either. There have been tons of shady backdoor deals with numerous professional players over the years. A player’s salary needn’t be the only way a team pays a player.