Fans of the Blue Bombers have become quite familiar with Jake Thomas over his nearly 10-year CFL career in Winnipeg.
Theyre familiar with his on-field prowess, as a significant piece of the Bombers defensive line, and some might even know he has a career outside of the game in real estate, back in his hometown of Fredericton.
But did you also know hes his own agent? In fact, Thomas has represented himself for years now, and was the sole negotiator in his most recent deal: a one-year contract extension signed earlier this week.
I represent myself so theres not too much telephone tag, Thomas said in a phone interview with the Free Press. It started in in 2018, the year I came back like the second day of training camp. So, I guess Ive done my last five contracts.
Thomas said he used to have a dedicated agent earlier in his career, but as he grew more comfortable with Bombers general manager Kyle Walters, who was his special-teams co-ordinator his rookie season in 2012, he felt he could take over the process.
The CFLs Players Association does a good job so that you can find other players contracts. Theres only so many starting Canadian D tackles out there or just Canadian D-lineman, so usually what I do is just kind of take a little look at theirs and just kind of go off that, Thomas said, adding: But at the end of the day, its all about a number youre comfortable with. Im not at the point my career where Im chasing top dollar; Im very comfortable in Winnipeg and I think we have something really good going there and you just want to be a part of it.
Thomas, 31, said hes been contacted by teammates curious about self-representation, and while he wouldnt disclose who has approached him, he did say others have started to negotiate their own deals. He said it was especially prevalent in 2021, when nearly every player was asked to renegotiate their contract owing to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Anyone can kind of negotiate their own pay cut. Obviously, that was a unique situation, he said. For some guys, they have thought about becoming an agent afterwards so they kind of want to dip their toes in it in their later years. But I also talk to some guys that could probably do it very easily, but they dont want that direct line of communication.
That direct line of communication, of course, includes debating your value directly with your employer. It can me a messy process and often thick skin is a requirement.
I just kind of had a number and this is what I tell all the guys, is that sometimes when you look at other peoples contracts, thats where you really get lost, right? You see player X is making $150,000 and you want to make $150,000. Well, for me, I live in the east coast of Canada and while cost of living here is going up, just because COVID, its not like I have to pay for a house in Toronto, Thomas said. So, whatever dollar amount I feel comfortable with, and if youre comfortable with the organization, I dont think you can really put a dollar amount on that. You go into a new environment, I dont think a difference of $10,000 would be worth not having that comfort level.
Thomas is acutely aware the CFL is a business and while hes fairly confident several players from the 2021 Grey-Cup winning team want to be back for a chance to three-peat, he also knows everyone wont get that chance. With nearly every player up for a new deal, including the likes of quarterback Zach Collaros, defensive ends Willie Jefferson and Jackson Jeffcoat and linebacker Adam Bighill, thats a lot of money to go around before free agency opens Feb. 8.
Whats really going to throw a wrench into everything is just it being a CBA year as well. No one really knows what the cap is going to be. For the most part right now, its all guesswork, Thomas said. But, as a player, you hope everyones back. Im sure if money wasnt an option, everyone would be back. Im sure well lose a few guys and then hopefully wherever they go, they do their best and hopefully they dont beat us when we play them.
jeff.hamilton@freepress.mb.ca
Twitter: @jeffkhamilton
Jeff Hamilton
Multimedia producer
After a slew of injuries playing hockey that included breaks to the wrist, arm, and collar bone; a tear of the medial collateral ligament in both knees; as well as a collapsed lung, Jeff figured it was a good idea to take his interest in sports off the ice and in to the classroom.
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