While Chad Johnson has declared himself 'ready' for Week 1 against the Balti-LESS Ravens...will he have enough to cover a crab cake dinner on Saturday night?
Here at WDR, we believe that one of the main reasons that #85 legally changed his name was due to his struggling financial status. When Ocho Cinco received his 'historic' contract extension in April 2006, the deal was full of front-end money...nearly $16 million by the end of 2007. However, the deal was front-loaded and left the Bengals a great deal of wriggle room after the 2007 season. Hence, the debacle we endured this past off-season.
Clearly I am not Chad's financial planner, so I don't know how he could blow $16 million in two and a half years. But, the rumors around Cincinnati are persistent that Chad needs a new deal with a big signing bonus...and he definitely needs it after the 2008 season. This issue was brought up a number of times during the lawsuit between Ocho Cinco/Funny Bone Comedy Club and a group of customers who were allegedly duped out of promises of a new car, Super Bowl trips, etc. While it could have been decided early on...Ocho Cinco decided to challenge the suit before eventually settling for $100,000 and another ding on his volatile public image. During this whole mess, the customer's attorney, Eric Deters, claimed Ocho Cinco had the mental capacity of a soap dish and it was also revealed that he owed thousands in back property taxes.
In the NFL, players make a royalty just south of 10% for all jersey sales that feature their name. One could surmise that while waiting to see what the Bengals do in the off-season in terms of a contract, Ocho Cinco and agent Drew Rosenhaus came up with this (clever?) ploy to make some immediate cash. It's been rumored that Chad and the Bengals have a wink/nod agreement to re-visit his contract if the Bengals have a big season on the field. Whether that means the playoffs, a playoff win, or a Super Bowl berth...that much is unclear.
How much actual money will Chad Javon Ocho Cinco make, however? Ever since the invention of the grammatically incorrect "Ocho Cinco" back in October 2006 (prior to the Atlanta Falcons game), bootleg versions of Ocho Cinco jerseys have been bought and sold on eBay. I would imagine that the 'die hard' fans already have their own Ocho Cinco jerseys, either via eBay or custom ordering at NFL.com. However, having the official jersey available for purchase at the Bengals pro-shop and on-line at various retailers might make things more streamlined for the Internet-challenged consumer. The new jersey very well might put another zero in Chad's bank account, once the NFL completes its 'review' of the name change. I do believe that the jersey will be more popular nationally, as opposed to here in Cincinnati. Much like how Johnny Bench was a bigger national celebrity, and Pete Rose was more of a local celebrity (something that Bench has never quite gotten over).
Bottom line...Chad needs attention like SUV's need the petrol. One thing I do know...is that after the 2008 ends, the Ocho Cinco contract situation will be right back to square one. Get your stale, slimy popcorn ready.
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