COMP NEWS – Compensation in sports is largely tied to performance incentives and bonus pay. Interestingly, the New England Patriots recently included a stipulation in offensive lineman Trent Brown’s contract that could earn him $1.5 million over the next two years if he is able to stay under certain weight thresholds.

It’s usually not very much fun to go on a diet, but New England’s Trent Brown might enjoy it this offseason and that’s because the Patriots could end up paying him more than $1 million total over the next two seasons if Brown can simply stay under his ideal playing weight. 

Brown’s incentives are to be paid periodically, as his weight is reported weekly.

According to ESPN.com, the incentives break down like this:

$150,000: Brown will get a bonus for this amount if he weighs 385 pounds or less on the first day of the team’s offseason program. 

$75,000: Brown will get $75,000 more if his weight is at 375 pounds on June 1

$75,000: The offensive tackle will get another check for $75,000 if he’s under 365 pounds on July 15. 

$450,000: The biggest bonus will come during the season. Brown will get $25,000 added to his paycheck each week during the regular season if he’s under 365 pounds at his weekly weigh-in session, which will take place on Thursdays. 

This layout of incentive bonuses will occur during the 2022 and 2023 NFL seasons. Though these incentive payments could amount to $750,000 per year, they still only represent a little more than 10% of his total possible compensation.

The good news for Brown is that even if he’s overweight, he’ll still get paid. The offensive lineman signed a two-year deal with the Patriots in March that includes $7 million in guarantees.

To read more about the NFL contract bonus with a weight stipulation, click here.

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