The Boston Celtics and Larry Bird became synonymous after his incredible career with the team in the 1980s. But everything almost ended before it began over his salary as a rookie.
Larry Bird became the highest-paid rookie in NBA history in 1979 when he signed a deal paying him $650,000 per year. But the Celtics only wanted to give him $500,000 with Bird shedding light on those negotiations involving the legendary Red Auerbach.
“My first contract negotiation was kind of wild,” Bird wrote in his book, Drive: The Story Of My Life. “I certainly wasn’t prepared for it. Even though I had such a great college career, as with all college seniors, you are still an unproven entity at the professional level.
“Red Auerbach is famous as one of the toughest negotiators in sports. He has rarely wavered from his negotiating process of trying to make his first offer his last offer as well. Red offered Mr. Woolf a $500,000-a-year salary for me. I’m sure the labels “too slow,” “can’t run,” and “can’t jump” were mentioned more than once during the negotiations.
“Mr. Woolf told me he wanted to make me the highest-paid rookie in sports, and I just left everything in his hands. I couldn’t relate to all that money anyway.”
Larry Bird’s agent, Bob Woolf, managed to deliver on what he promised to him, and it’s hilarious to think that the Celtics organization once said such things about Bird. No matter how slow or unathletic he might have been accused of being, Larry Legend became an unstoppable force in the NBA.
Larry Bird’s Later Contract Contributed To A Big Change In NBA History
If Larry Bird and his agent were so sure of what they wanted when he was a rookie, things got even more intense when he became a star. After watching Moses Malone get a huge contract, Bird and his agent negotiated with the Boston Celtics and ended up getting a fully guaranteed deal, which was one of the first major ones in the NBA and changed the league forever.
Larry Bird would go on to earn $24 million in salary in his career, a whopping amount back in the day. He hasn’t become obscenely wealthy after retirement but enjoys a lovely life and a hefty net worth of $75 million.
We sincerely appreciate and respect you as a reader of our site. It would help us a lot if you follow us on Google News because of the latest update.
Thanks for following us. We really appreciate your support.
