How Will Boras Bluff Impact Sports Negotiations?
I’ve written quite a few articles about the protracted negotiations that recently concluded between superstar Manny Ramirez and the Los Angeles Dodgers. That story seems to have a happy ending, with Manny inking a two-year deal with the Blue Crew, cancelable after one, at the slugger’s discretion. But what is perhaps even more significant than the substantial bucks the Dodgers committed to Manny, a reported $45 million, is a billion dollar question. Before we get to it, here’s some vital background. Manny’s agent, famed negotiator Scott Boras, allegedly told the Dodgers that several teams were waiting in the wings if the Dodgers didn’t sweeten their initial offer to his client. The Dodgers sensed a bluff. Based on who knows what–intuition, superior intelligence or perhaps secret conversations with the brass at other teams, the Dodgers disputed Boras’ claim, and stood pat. A long silence ensued, periodically punctuated by accusations in the press. Finally, the parties forged an underst
