Mike Florio Floats Theory Regarding Bill Belichick Patriots Salary

It looks like pretty much everyone is interested in head coach Bill Belichick and his salary. Truth is, we may not even get a chance to learn how much the legendary coach makes a year. Mike Florio from ProFootballTalk believes that the Patriots head coach earns more than $20 million.

“I don’t have an exact number, and here’s why: the highest-paid coaches in football get paid a salary that is reported to the league and then other money is funneled to them through companies that are related to the team, owned by the ownership of the team,” Florio said on WEEI’s The Greg Hill Show. “And I’m not saying this is precisely what’s happened in New England; this is what happens league-wide. The best coaches get supplemental income that no one knows about. People will say, ‘Well, why is it a secret? Why is it a big deal?’ There’s no salary cap. It’s not like you have to give somebody a briefcase of cash under a table because you’re going to get in trouble for blowing the coaching salary cap. It’s more about blowing the curve.”

Head coach Bill Belichick earns more than $20 million

Belichick made headlines with his salary and the whole thing started when Florio reported that Urban Meyer looks for $12 million per year to coach a NFL team.

Ben Volin from The Boston Globe tweeted that Pete Carroll and John Harbaugh make at least $12 million per year with their teams. Belichick’s salary goes well above that. Florio pointed out Belichick’s salary and noted that Carroll and Sean Payton earn north of $15 million per year.

“My belief is whatever you hear about Bill Belichick, whatever you think he’s making, he’s making more than that,” Florio said Thursday on WEEI. “Same with Sean Payton, Pete Carroll. The top coaches in the league are making more than we realize because they keep it all very secret so that the coaches who aren’t at the top of the food chain don’t get emboldened to ask for more.”

Let’s not forget that Belichick has a double duty. He is the Patriots’ general manager and yes he is well compensated for his service.