I want to thank Jeffrey Martin for his inside information on the negotiations over Frank Martin's potential contract extension. This information gave rise to a firestorm of complaints and condemnations from Wildcat fans. But I want to point out that we don't really know what is going in the negotiations. I have no doubt that Jeffrey Martin is connected, but he's not in the negotiations. He's receiving his information second or third-hand. I'm sure both sides have exchanged numbers (dollar figures and years, perhaps more than that), perhaps several times. While it is easy to say, "just give Martin a nice raise" or "give the man the money he deserves" it isn't that easy.
For instance, let's say that John Currie and KSU are willing to give Martin a multi-year deal worth $1.5M per year. Most Wildcat fans would say that is both fair and appropriate. But that can't be their first offer. If Currie faxed a 4-year/$6M offer to Martin's agent, do you think they'd just accept? Of course not. They are going to counter with a higher number, undoubtedly something like 4/$8M. My point is that whatever K-State offers instantly becomes the contract floor and that what is eventually agreed to will be higher than that. This does not mean that K-State should necessarily start with a ridiculous, insulting lowball offer. That might have been what they did. Maybe. We don't know for sure. But contract negotiations are about meeting in the middle. Neither side gets everything they want.
But I don't think this is just about money. It seemed like the prevailing tone in the comments on Jeffrey Martin's post was that K-State is being cheap and if they'd just offer a nice raise, Martin would sign and stay at K-State for many years. There are several assumptions and leaps of faith there which might not be warranted. The sticking point in the negotiation might not be salary or years. Certainly they are at issue, but I'm sure K-State wants a contract that actually keeps Martin in Manhattan. Let's take a ride in the Wayback Machine to 1990. Lon Kruger had just led the Wildcats to their fourth NCAA torney appearance in his four years as head coach (including an Elite Eight appearance). Kruger then thanked the University for their money and the fans for their support by leaving for the University of Florida. Does Martin want to stay at K-State? I'm sure many fans would say, "As long as he gets the right money and respect from the University and support from the fans, I'm sure he would." First, that's just a guess (or wishcasting). Second, even if K-State gives Martin a big raise, he can still get more money and more prestige from a school with a bigger name and deeper pockets.
What I'm suggesting is that one of the big sticking points in the negotiation might be some sort of penalty or buyout that Martin would have to pay if he leaves before the contract is up. If Martin has his sights set on using K-State as a resume-builder so that he can move onward and upward when he gets a good offer elsewhere, then he's going to want little or no such penalty/buyout. K-State, on the other hand, would want it to be significant.
I don't think this contract negotiation is a simple good guy (Martin) vs. bad guy (Currie) situation. Martin may well be looking for the contract which is easiest to get out of, regardless of the salary involved.
