Peyton Manning’s $20 Million Pay Day, Faces Loss of Receivers

Peyton Manning’s badly damaged and carefully repaired neck is OK. That is what his doctors have told him. Manning can play another year with the Denver Broncos. This year is worth another $20 million, according from his contract.

The Denver Post reports:

There is a provision in the five-year, $96 million contract Manning signed with the Broncos in March 2012 that requires his surgically repaired neck to pass medical inspection each year before the team guarantees his salary.

So, with only $20 million of that payable for the upcoming season, the payment may not be the last money he sees from Denver.

Like any very expensive player, there is debate over what his value to a team is — financially. Manning helped take Denver to Super Bowl XLVIII, where his team was thrashed 43 to 8 by the Seattle Seahawks. However, Manning was part of the NFL’s Greatest-Show-On-Earth offense last year, which he engineered with 55 touchdown passes.

While it is impossible to say what value Manning adds to the Broncos, the Denver team ranked no. 13 on the Forbes list of Most Valuable NFL teams, at $1.16 billion. The Dallas Cowboys, at the top of the list, are worth $3.3 billion.

The Manning move was a wise one for Denver, however, according to the Forbes evaluation:

The investment paid off, in the front office and on the field. So many suite holders signed up for renewals after Manning joined the team that the Broncos actually renovated their suites before the 2012 season to generate more revenue from increased demand.

Another healthy season will help buy Manning more than a salary. Forbes reports that last year the quarterback earned $30 million when endorsements and his Broncos pay package were added together.

Another 55 touchdown pass a year performance and healthy medical check up in 2015, and Manny will likely make that $30 million again next year.