Do NFL teams have to place money in escrow for guaranteed contracts?

[Luvnit2]

(06-17-2023, 12:29 PM)jfkbengals Wrote: The traditional answer is "Yes", the fully guaranteed money must be placed in escrow.  BUT, as you mentioned above, the verbage sates MAY REQUIRE, not SHALL REQUIRE.  This first came to light after either the Watson or Mahomes deal, and no answer has ever been made public on the league's stance as to when it is or is not required to do so.  If memory serves, it was PFT who first brought the issue to light and was attempting to get a public answer as to when it is or is not required.


EDIT:  It was PFT after the Watson deal.
https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2023/04/02/nfls-funding-rule-isnt-mandatory-did-the-browns-make-escrow-payment-for-deshaun-watson-deal/

The 'may' versus shall is a huge deal to small tickets and those who owner is not worth 170 billion like some existing owners.

For Bengals sake, I hope it is not mandatory.