Colin Kaepernick was offered an opportunity to play in the Alliance of American Football for the league’s inaugural season this year, but his salary demands made that unrealistic. In fact, the former NFL quarterback wanted even more money than was initially reported.
Reports on Thursday indicated that Kaepernick was seeking $20 million to play in the AAF in 2019. According to sports business reporter Darren Rovell, that number is inaccurate — Kaep wanted more.
$20 million number floating around on Colin Kaepernick for what he wanted to sign with the new upstart AAF is not completely accurate. I was told he wanted MORE. pic.twitter.com/7iW8tH7js4
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) February 15, 2019
Kaepernick had to have known there was no way the AAF was going to pay him that kind of money, even if he would have been the most high-profile player in the league. The AAF currently has the same contract structure for all players: they receive $70,000 in their first year, $80,000 in their second, and $100,000 in their third. Players are free to pursue NFL careers beginning in May, but they must return to the AAF the following season if they don’t secure an NFL opportunity.
There were rumblings that Kaepernick was demanding too much money from NFL teams at one point, but most agree he has not played in the league since 2016 because he is credited with starting the national anthem protest movement. While most players in the AAF are trying to prove they have the ability to play in the NFL, Kaepernick likely believes that is not the issue for him.
