
(Photo: Denver Broncos)
Ok, this is a bit convoluted…but bear with me. I’ll try to stick to the fax. (Sorry, I couldn’t resist.)
Headed for an impasse with their star defensive end, the Denver Broncos strike a last-minute agreement to restructure Elvis Dumervil’s contract. He tells his friends and family he is staying in Denver. They’re happy. The team is happy. The fans are happy. Everyone is happy.
The only thing left to do is sign the contract. That’s the easy part. At least, when you’re using technology from the 21st century it is.
But, that’s where it all goes bad. Or, so we’re told…
Elvis Dumervil’s agent, Marty Magid, says they faxed the newly inked contract back to the team. Yes, I said faxed. Only, the team didn’t receive it by the 2:00 PM (MT) deadline. As a result, the Broncos were forced to release Dumervil, rather than pay him the $12 million dollars he was otherwise guaranteed.
Since then, there have been statements made, fingers pointed, timelines released, and allegations thrown. Magid claims Dumervil was at a Miami Kinko’s trying desperately to fax the document because the Broncos didn’t get them the right contract, then left them little time to respond.
The Broncos released a statement claiming Dumervil backed out of the deal at 1:00, only to change his mind at 1:25, and they were concerned about making the deadline…so much so that they suggested he take a photo of the signed contract with his phone and send that.
He went with the fax. And the rest is history. Elvis Dumervil is now a free agent. And I think we all learned a thing or two in the process.
Mostly, things our mother taught us:
1) Don’t wait until the last minute.
2) If something is important, don’t leave it up to someone else.
3) Nothing good happens after 2:00 (PM in this case). *Courtesy of Bart Hubbuch (@HubbuchNYP )
4) Don’t make commitments you’re not willing to live up to.
5) Technology is great. Except when it’s not.
The Broncos could still sign Dumervil as a free agent, though it is unlikely considering they took a salary cap hit by releasing him.
For now, it’s back to the drawing board…to reach a new agreement, most likely with a new team. And this time, they won’t leave anything to chance.
Dumervil’s next contract will arrive on time. Guaranteed.
By carrier pigeon.
XO