Orlando Pace Lands Largest Rookie Contract Ever For A No. 1 NFL Draft Pick

Orlando Pace, the NFL's No. 1 draft pick, is the proud recipient of the largest rookie contract in NFL history thanks to his Black sports agents Kevin and Carl Poston.

The Poston brothers of Professional Sports Planning (PSP) landed Pace a seven-year, $25.6-plus million deal with the Rams.
"I'm elated," Pace, who was drafted by the St. Louis Rams, told Jet. "I'm just happy that the whole process is over. It was tough sitting at home. I'm ready to play football."

The Postons are also very happy with the deal they negotiated for their client.

"I think both sides compromised some points, but we met all of our objectives," Kevin Poston told Jet. "We waited until the structure and the money was right. We felt like we got the best deal for Orlando because the contract is creative enough to allow him to be paid considerably based on his draft position and flexible enough to allow him to make even more money if he turns out to be a great NFL player."

Pace's deal includes a $6.3 million signing bonus. After year three, the deal is automatically voided, and the Rams will have the opportunity to buy back years four, five and six if Pace participates in at least 50 percent of the plays in any of the first three years. If the Rams buy back those voidable years, Pace will receive another $4 million bonus. Pace can earn an average of $3.9 million in year four, $3.7 million in year five and $3.5 in year six; each year's average is more than the average pay of $3 million which is currently paid to the top five offensive lineman in the NFL. Pace can also receive up to an extra $3.5 million above his base salaries and bonuses if he be comes first team all-conference or a Pro-Bowler during the contract. Pace's contract also calls for guaranteed monies of $9.4 million, another NFL rookie record.

The Poston brothers, who own and operate PSP, have offices in Detroit and Houston. Their client list includes Orlando Magic star Anfernee "Penny" Hardaway, Greg Hill and Tamarick Vanover of the Kansas City Chiefs, Terrell Buckley of the Miami Dolphins, Tim Biakabuta of the Carolina Panthers, Ty Law of the New England Patriots, Shawn Respert of Toronto Raptors and Los Angeles Laker Robert Horry.

In addition to their professional reputation, Pace said he chose the Postons because their relationship with him is more than negotiating contracts.

"They really care about people and made me and my family feel comfortable," he said. "Their whole thing is about family. They care about the athlete. It's not just a business thing. I can call them up just to talk about anything."

"We call our company the PSP family," Kevin Poston said. "The guys are very close, and we believe in doing the best on the field or court and off as well. We give them the guidance they need well beyond their contract."

Pace, the 6-foot-7, 330-pound lineman from Ohio State, entered into the professional ranks after his junior year. He was the first sophomore to receive the Lombardi Trophy, given to the nation's top interior lineman. He received the award again his junior year, making him the first back-to-back winner.
The Postons are also trailblazers. PSP is the first fully-owned Black sports management company to represent a No. 1 NFL draft pick. But, Kevin Poston said that for Black agents to achieve certain success in this business, "It's going to take the efforts of African-American athletes and their families to choose African-Americans [to represent them]."