Chapter 918: Annual salary of 100 million in 917

It has been mentioned before that, due to the existence of a strict salary cap and the sheer number of players in the League, NFL players’ average salaries rank quite low in professional sports.

Currently, after Rodgers signed his latest contract last year, the annual salary for quarterbacks officially breached the $30 million threshold, but it’s still not comparable to the NBA or the Five Major European Football Leagues; moreover, with the overwhelming number of players, endorsement opportunities are relatively scarce, and total income remains below expectations.

In terms of earnings, sports like tennis, golf, boxing, and racing–which revolve around individual competitors–tend to give professional athletes a slight edge in average income.

Thus, in NFL history, player annual earnings have always been relatively modest.

As of 2019, the historical rankings for NFL player annual income are as follows–

Rodgers, Green Bay Packers quarterback, 2018 annual salary: $89.3 million.

Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks quarterback, 2018 annual salary: $79 million.

Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons quarterback, 2018 annual salary: $67.3 million.

Clear as day.

Including salaries, endorsements, bonuses, and more, players with an annual income exceeding $60 million are few and far between; even those earning over $50 million annually are scarce. Whether we’re talking about average or peak earnings, NFL players’ income reveals a stark gap compared to soccer, basketball, tennis, and other professional sports.

Furthermore, the highest-earning players are almost exclusively quarterbacks, reflecting the increasingly apparent imbalance in the League’s focus–so much so that when people talk about football, quarterbacks are usually the only position that comes to mind.

Until now.

The situation has finally changed.

In 2019, a running back–a young Asian player–might break the $100 million annual income threshold, perhaps even exceed it. Considering the new season hasn’t begun yet, additional revenue opportunities could arise, sweeping away all the criticisms surrounding NFL salaries with an unstoppable force.

Unbelievable–a football player’s annual earnings have, for the first time in history, surpassed the $100 million mark!

Even on a global scale, this income ranks confidently among the top three, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with global icons like Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, boldly stepping into the pinnacle of professional sports’ hierarchy. This achievement transforms the NFL’s market value into visible player income, overturning football’s disadvantages in one fell swoop.

And to top it all off, this feat comes from a running back, making the story even more legendary.

Boom!

History is made just like that.

Step by step, Li Wei is indeed pioneering a new era, an entirely new realm–one that belongs neither to others nor to football players of the past. He’s entirely overturning a sports paradigm and opening the doors to a new age.

At this moment, if anyone doubts whether “Goat vs Rookie” is worthy of being the League’s face, reality will crush their skepticism under its sheer momentum: Li Wei is reaching into territories that Brady has never ventured into, pushing football to an entirely new level.

Don’t agree?

Tough luck.

The offseason is bustling with extraordinary activity, making headlines left and right.

Among the flurry of news, Li Wei’s return to New York and the announcement of his charity fundraiser party emerged as the talk of the town.

According to the “New York Times,” this marks the first time Li Wei is hosting a party under his own name for the “Annie Gallas Foundation,” a charity aimed at supporting minors suffering from critical illnesses and complex conditions by aiding their treatment and recovery.

Originally, it was just an ordinary charity gala–something seen regularly in New York, nothing noteworthy. But this particular gala represents Li Wei’s first public appearance in social circles after his busy offseason and the first time he’s hosted a social gathering using his personal brand.

Additionally, the event is being held at Li Wei’s newly acquired penthouse apartment in Manhattan’s Lower District–his first time publicly opening up his residence to New York’s elite. Known for fiercely guarding his private life, Li Wei made an exception for this charitable cause.

Suddenly, the “Li Wei Charity Gala” became the hottest topic across the city–

Attending Li Wei’s gala instantly became a badge of honor.

Literally, everyone.

Anyone who received an invitation became the envy of all; anyone who attended the gala became the center of conversation for weeks to come.

Thus, a seemingly modest charity event evolved into the social event of the year.

Rumor has it that socialites pulled countless strings for a single invitation, and there were even inquiries about prices on the black market–though none were available for sale.

Ultimately, the event lived up to its hype.

Reports indicate that Li Wei’s new apartment in Greenwich Village, Manhattan, spans three floors and is breathtaking in design.

Two floors were merged to form a single space–the first floor being a grand living room and the second floor hosting bedrooms. The third is a rooftop area, featuring an outdoor pool and garden, where one can enjoy the stars above while overlooking Manhattan’s hustle and bustle below.

Decorated with deep blue, light gray, and off-white tones, the apartment exudes a clean, modern style that highlights Li Wei’s unique taste.

No wonder Louis Vuitton chose to collaborate with Li Wei.

That evening, the gala’s guest list filled the space with dazzling personalities, quickly becoming the city’s hottest talking point.

The attendance by NFL players like Watt, Donald, Foles, Goff, Bell, Peterson, and others (including Kansas City Chieftains’ players) was expected–

But still, it paled compared to the dramatic reunion of NBA giants Curry and James at the same party.

It’s hard to imagine anyone but Li Wei pulling off gathering these two under one roof.

Finally, the arrivals of the Manning Brothers and Brady reclaimed the spotlight for football, reminding everyone whose gala it was.

Indeed, football players stayed the stars of the evening.

But… Brady?

Spectators found themselves torn between being amazed that Li Wei invited Brady or stunned that Brady actually showed up.

Only then did people belatedly realize–Brady and Li Wei share the same agent!

Still, having the same agent doesn’t necessarily mean the players get along, especially considering Li Wei and Brady’s fierce on-field battles while Li Wei is actively dethroning Brady in the sport–

As the saying goes, “Yangtze River’s waves push the old waves ashore.”

Brady is the unfortunate “old wave,” with a hundred reasons to avoid the gala. Fans wouldn’t object to his absence either.

But surprisingly, Brady showed up–and at a gala where Li Wei and the Manning Brothers were also present, it’s guaranteed to become a trending topic, effortlessly lighting up social media.