The $16 Million Man

Posted by Matt Purdue

If you want to punk one of your PR colleagues, just tell him that he’s been assigned to the team for a new client: a professional athlete. Then watch as he runs screaming for the hills—or the nearest pub. From Stephon Marbury’s pouting to Plaxico Burress’ poor aim to Sean Avery’s love life, sports icons are having a bad week. It’s the kind of behavior that will add some gray hairs to even the most seasoned PR professional’s pate. 

And now along comes Andy Pettitte. The Yankees starting pitcher finds himself embroiled in a salary dispute, and just does not seem to understand good public relations. The New York Times reports that Pettitte is trying to avoid a big salary cut. He “earned” $16 million this year, making him one of the best-paid pitchers in baseball; he wants at least that much in 2009. His team, however, is offering something like $10 million. Andy, it’s time to wake up. 

First, let’s look at the facts that Pettitte refuses to address. He’s 36, far from spry, and suffered shoulder problems in 2008. He underachieved this year, going 14-14 with a 4.54 ERA, and won only two out of his last nine games as the Yankees missed the playoffs. Of course, we can’t expect a professional athlete to engage in a point-by-point debate over his stats. Arguing over details is never good PR.

But what we can’t excuse Pettitte for is his complete myopathy over what’s going on in this country. The number of Americans receiving unemployment benefits rose to 4.09 million recently, the highest number in 26 years. And this guy—who not too long ago admitted to using human growth hormone—seems to have a problem with making only $10 million in 2009.

I’m trying not to seem too much like a crazed sports talk radio grumbler here, because what I’m really trying to do is convince Pettitte to think of his long-term future. His playing days will be over sooner rather than later, and then his future income will be based on little more than his public reputation. Imagine if Pettitte called a news conference tomorrow at the new Yankee Stadium to announce, “I know my fellow citizens are hurting financially, and I’m not. I am blessed to be a New York Yankee. This team pays me to exceed expectations, and I haven’t been doing that. I’ll gladly play for $10 million, and donate $500,000 to a range of local children’s charities.” Pettitte wouldn’t have to buy a drink in New York for the rest of his life.

That will never happen, unfortunately; Pettitte will fiddle while America burns. When asked to comment on all the hullabaloo by the New York Times, Pettitte replied: “I’m basically just trying to enjoy my off-season with my family, and that’s it.” 

Happy holidays, Andy.