Jones Accuses Revs of Making Lowball Offer
- Updated: December 18, 2015
Photo credit: Chris Aduama/aduamaphotography.com
Out of contract midfielder Jermaine Jones is apparently none too pleased with the offer the Revolution have apparently extended him to stay in Foxboro.
On Friday, Jones said via Twitter that the club had only offered him only a small portion of what he earned in 2015.
I would like to return to @nerevolution but they have offered me less than 20% of what I made last year.
— Jermaine Jones (@Jermainejunior) December 19, 2015
The 34-year-old midfielder earned $3.052 million in 2015 according to the MLS Players Union. If Jones’ assertion is accurate, then the Revolution offered him less than $610,000 annually.
A request for comment from the Revolution was not immediately returned.
Jones became the highest-paid player in club history when he was given an 18-month deal worth $4.7 million in August 2014. The move paid immediate dividends, as the U.S. International helped steer the Revolution to their first MLS Cup appearance in seven years.
But 2015 was a far different story for Jones and the Revolution.
The charismatic midfielder began the season on the shelf after undergoing sports hernia surgery in February. Shortly after he returned, he pulled up with another groin injury on May 31 against LA Galaxy, and was forced to go under the knife again for a second sports hernia surgery.
All told, Jones was limited to 18 games, and did not record a goal or assist in 2015. With Jones playing at less than 100 percent for much of the season, the Revolution were unable to defend their Eastern Conference title after they were bounced out of the playoffs by DC United in the knockout round.
Earlier this month, Revolution general manager Michael Burns told Comcast Sports Net New England that the possibility of Jones’ return was solely up to him.
“The best way I can say it is that Jermaine Jones is well aware that he certainly can wear a Revs jersey next year – if he wants to,” Burns told the CSNNE. “We would like to have him back. We’ve made that known to him, but beyond that, it’s ultimately a decision of Jermaine’s.”
Burns also detailed that Jones was “a big piece of what we’re doing,” and that re-signing the midfielder was the club’s top offseason priority.
It’s worth noting that Jones is not the first Revolution player to express disdain about the club’s negotiating methods.
In Jan. 2014, Revolution center back Jose Goncalves, who had his purchase option exercised following a stellar 2013 loan campaign, told A Minute in Sports! that he was disappointed with the way the front office handled the situation.
“After the MLS season ended last year, there have been a lot of discussions and meetings with the Revs,” Goncalves told the blog at the time. “A lot of promises have been made, but nothing came at the end, and the club also gave me the feeling that I am easy to replace, so for me it is a very simple answer, and that’s it.”
In May 2015, midfielder Lee Nguyen voiced his displeasure with the front office after trying to renegotiate a new contract.
“I was obviously unhappy with the contract situation,” Nguyen said at the time. “It’s just frustrating, and I just feel a little disrespected. Despite what I’ve done for the club and not even being the (fifth)-highest paid player on the club, I just feel a little undervalued.”
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About Brian O'Connell
Robert
December 19, 2015 at 4:54 am
This is unfortunate to me as a fan that another important player to the club’s success is upset with the front office regarding contract negotiations. Let’s not forget that Lee Nguyen was disgruntled last year as well. The club was clearly better with Jermaine Jones wearing the Revs kit – on and off the field. The 42,000 fans in the stands for the last home game should prove his worth. Would there have been a crowd that large if Jermaine wasn’t on the team? I understand the concern with last year’s injuries, but he is a player who plays hard and with passion, and he shows the kind of leadership which makes every player on the team just a little bit better. I pray the Revs front office is smart enough to realize that this team needs a Jermaine Jones.
Brian O'Connell
December 19, 2015 at 11:21 am
Great point on Nguyen, Robert. It’s one thing to stick to a certain negotiating model, but if there’s a time to make an exception, it’s for the most popular player in club history. My view is the same as yours – he’s essentially irreplaceable. Despite the injuries, you’re not going to find a player who brings the same charisma, passion, dedication and, of course, the amount of influence he wields on the pitch unless you’re spend much, much more money. If Jones does move on, the Revs better have a similar replacement lined up, lest they squander the goodwill they created among the fanbase when they signed him.
Peter
December 20, 2015 at 9:12 am
What does Jones want his age is against him and he is injury prone re hernia does he expect a team to pay out big money when he didn’t play a full season ? Get with the program Mr jones
Peter
December 20, 2015 at 9:26 am
Re contracts on player it been the same story since day one the REVS are like the pats looking for a home town discount while BURNS is in control things will not CHANGE It blows my mind every year seeing other mls teams signing players while the REVS are sitting not doing anything they cannot rely on draft picks only approx one or two have worked out every year why don’t the REVS sighn a marque player from the mls,??Ps Pay Gonzalez Jones money he deserves it bring back DORMAN 4 coverage re jones