The Arizona Rattlers are a professional indoor American football team based in Phoenix, Arizona. They are members of the Indoor Football League (IFL). As one of the most successful indoor football franchises, having won 7 championships since their founding in 1992, Rattlers players are some of the highest paid in the league.
In the IFL, there is no players union, no collective bargaining agreement, and no minimum player salaries like there is in the NFL or other major sports leagues. This means that player contracts and salaries can vary quite a bit from player to player and year to year. Overall, player salaries in the IFL tend to be quite modest compared to other professional football leagues. The average IFL player makes between $500-$1500 per game based on interviews with players and coaches. With an 16 game regular season schedule, plus potential playoff games, the average IFL player makes between $8,000-$24,000 in base salary per season.
Base Salaries
While veteran stars and key skill position players may make over $30,000 per season, most rookie and unproven players earn around $500 per game or $8,000 per season. Here is a breakdown of typical base salaries for Arizona Rattlers players:
Rookies and New Signees
– $500 per game
– $8,000 per 16 game season
Returning Veterans
– $750-$1,000 per game
– $12,000-$16,000 per 16 game season
Established Starters
– $1,000-$1,500 per game
– $16,000-$24,000 per 16 game season
Key Veteran Starters
– $1,500-$2,500 per game
– $24,000-$40,000 per 16 game season
So while some team stars may make over $2,000 per game, the majority of players make around $500-$1,500 per game. Let’s take a look at what a sample player salary breakdown may look like on the Arizona Rattlers:
Sample Arizona Rattlers Salary Breakdown
Player | Position | Salary per Game | Salary per Season |
---|---|---|---|
John Doe | QB | $2,500 | $40,000 |
Jane Smith | WR | $1,500 | $24,000 |
Mark Wilson | DB | $1,000 | $16,000 |
Mike Davis | LB | $750 | $12,000 |
Chris Lee | OL | $500 | $8,000 |
As you can see, salaries range from around $500 per game for rookies and unproven players to over $2,000 per game for team superstars and veterans at key positions like quarterback. Most starters and contributors make between $1,000-$1,500 per game.
Factors Impacting Salaries
What are some of the key factors that impact Arizona Rattlers player salaries?
Experience and Talent
More experienced players who have proven their ability through high performance levels in games and practices typically earn higher salaries. Proven veterans and stars with name recognition can negotiate higher pay.
Position
Some positions are higher paid than others. Quarterbacks, wide receivers, and defensive backs tend to be higher salaried positions. Linemen on both sides of the ball tend to make slightly less.
Team Role
Key starters and players with larger roles on the team will be paid more than backups and role players. Players see increases in pay as they move up from reserve to starter positions.
Team Success
For players on successful, championship-contending teams like the Rattlers, they may be able to negotiate higher salaries and bonuses. More resources are dedicated to payroll for teams focused on winning titles.
Individual Negotiating Power
Well-known players with leverage and name recognition have more bargaining power innegotiating higher salaries. Players with good agents also typically earn higher wages.
League Minimums and Maximums
While there are no established minimum or maximum IFL salaries, player salaries tend to fall within a range of $500-$2,500 per game based on market value at their positions.
Bonuses and Incentives
In addition to base salaries, Arizona Rattlers players have opportunities to earn bonuses and incentives:
– Signing Bonuses – Paid upon signing a contract, gives instant return on investment for the player. Can range from $1,000-$5,000.
– Performance Bonuses – For meeting statistical benchmarks such as yards, touchdowns, tackles, interceptions. Typically $250-$1,000 per bonus.
– Game Day Bonuses – Players receive extra pay for being on the active roster on game days. Around $200 per game.
– Playoff Bonuses – Players receive bonuses for qualifying for and winning playoff games. Can be $2,000+ for playoff game appearances.
– Championship Bonuses – Large bonuses for winning league championship games. Can be as high as $5,000 per player.
– Pro Bowl Bonuses – For players selected to the league’s all-star game, bonuses range from $1,000-$2,000.
– Media Appearances – For media interviews, promotional appearances, television commercials. Variable amounts.
– Endorsements – For endorsement deals with brands and companies. Top stars can earn higher endorsement fees.
So while base salaries for most Arizona Rattlers players fall in the $8,000-$24,000 range, they have potential to earn several thousand more through performance, playoff, and championship bonuses. Some brand-name stars may also earn endorsement income.
Average Rattlers Salary vs Other IFL Teams
As one of the IFL’s premier organizations, the Arizona Rattlers likely have one of the higher overall payrolls in the league. Here is a comparison of estimated average salaries for Arizona Rattlers players versus other IFL teams:
Team | Estimated Average Salary |
---|---|
Arizona Rattlers | $15,000 |
Iowa Barnstormers | $10,000 |
Green Bay Blizzard | $12,000 |
San Diego Strike Force | $10,000 |
The Rattlers likely invest more in higher salaries to attract and retain top talent compared to some of the lower budget IFL teams. This allows the Rattlers to assemble consistent championship contending rosters.
Rattlers Salaries vs Other Leagues
How do Arizona Rattlers player salaries compare to average salaries in other professional football leagues in the U.S.?
League | Average Salary |
---|---|
NFL | $2 million |
CFL | $100,000 |
XFL | $75,000 |
USFL | $45,000 |
Arena Football League | $20,000 |
IFL (Arizona Rattlers) | $15,000 |
As you can see, Rattlers players make substantially less than the average salaries in the NFL, CFL, and other leagues. This can be attributed to the smaller scale of the IFL, lower revenues, and lack of lucrative television deals. But the potential for bonuses and endorsements allows top IFL stars to supplement their income.
Highest Paid Arizona Rattlers Players
While the average Rattlers player makes around $15,000 per season, some of the stars and biggest names make significantly more. Here are some of the highest paid Arizona Rattlers players:
Nick Davila, QB
Estimated Salary: $60,000
As quarterback and focal point of the offense, Davila is the Rattlers highest paid player. His $2,500+ per game salary and bonuses push him over $60,000.
Maurice Purify, WR
Estimated Salary: $40,000
One of the IFL’s top wide receivers commands over $2,000 per game as a key receiving weapon.
Chris McAllister, DB
Estimated Salary: $30,000
The star defensive back earns around $1,500 per game to lock down opposing receivers.
Derryck Crittenden, DB
Estimated Salary: $25,000
Another top veteran defensive back that earns around $1,250 per game.
Lamar Mady, OL
Estimated Salary: $20,000
Mady’s veteran presence and pass blocking skills allow him to earn top dollar for an offensive lineman.
These estimated salaries illustrate how the Rattlers reward their superstar players and key contributors. Top players have the leverage to negotiate higher per game rates and incentive-based deals.
Salary Cap
Unlike leagues like the NFL, there is no official salary cap in the IFL. Teams are free to spend as much or as little on payroll as their budgets allow. According to interviews with coaches and executives, most IFL teams operate on total team salary budgets between $400k-$800k per season.
As one of the most profitable and successful franchises in the league, the Rattlers likely have one of the higher team salary budgets. Their total annual player payroll is likely in the range of $700k-$900k. This allows them to attract and pay enough quality players to field championship contending rosters year after year.
Some IFL teams likely operate on more modest salary budgets in the $400k-$600k range per season. While there are no enforced limits, most teams strike a balance between paying players and remaining profitable.
Free Agency
Unlike the NFL, IFL free agency operates in a much more informal manner. All player contracts are individually negotiated year-to-year with no set free agency period. Essentially, players are free agents every offseason.
This gives players freedom to sign with other teams. But most players re-sign with the same team if they are satisfied with compensation and opportunities. Top players on the Rattlers are likely rewarded financially and rarely leave in free agency as long as the team continues paying them market value.
The informal free agent market allows the Rattlers and other IFL teams to quickly sign players to fill roster needs prior to each season. They can bolster their rosters with veterans or new talent looking for opportunities. Budgets impact the level of free agent activity more than a structured player movement system.
Post-Playing Career
The modest salaries in the IFL mean most players need to supplement income and line up post-playing careers. Some opportunities players pursue:
– Coaching – Many former players go into high school, college, or pro coaching.
– Front Office/Scouting – Opportunities to stay involved in team personnel and management roles.
– Business Endeavors – Some players start companies or get involved in business partnerships post-career.
– Broadcasting – Doing media interviews and analysis work for television or radio.
– Promotional Appearances – Former players make money from appearances, autographs, etc.
– Firefighter/Police – The skills from football transfer well to these public service professions.
While IFL salaries are secondary forms of income for most players, the league does serve as a valuable place to develop skills, connections, and options for when their playing days end. Most players have other career plans for supporting themselves post-retirement.
Conclusion
While the Arizona Rattlers have some standout players that earn over $60,000 per season, the average Rattlers player makes around $15,000 per year in the Indoor Football League. Salaries range from around $500 per game for rookies to $2,500+ for veteran superstars and Pro Bowl caliber players.
Bonuses and incentives provide opportunities to increase earnings by thousands for Arizona Rattlers players. Overall, salaries are modest but allow players to pursue their dreams of professional football, develop skills, and work towards post-playing careers. The financial model provides stability and sustainability for one of the country’s most successful indoor football franchises.