For Chris Jones, it’s now $1 million and counting.
Jones didn’t show up to training camp on Kansas City’s veteran report date of July 21, and has now missed 21 days going into Friday morning’s practice.
Under Article 42, Section 1(b)(vi) of the 2020 CBA, Jones (as a player under his second contract with the Chiefs) faces a “mandatory fine of $50,000 per day.” And by “mandatory,” the NFL and NFL Players Association have agreed that it will be mandatory.
Jones, 29, is clearly unhappy with the lack of a contract extension in Kansas City, as he waits to be paid something comparable to the Rams’ Aaron Donald, who has the highest average annual salary for a non-QB at $31.7 million.
Denny Medley/USA TODAY Sports
Of course, Jones deserves to be in such a class. The two-time Super Bowl champion is a first-team All-Pro after leading all interior players with 15.5 sacks last season. Jones is also a four-time Pro Bowler who has notched 63 sacks over the past six campaigns.
Still, Jones’s representation and general manager Brett Veach have yet to agree on an extension, leaving Kansas City’s best defensive player on the outside of training camp. In addition to the training camp fines, Jones also owes nearly $99,000 for missing the team’s mandatory minicamp in June.
Now that we’re at an even $1 million in fines, let’s look at what Jones could have done with the money instead, ranging from the practical to the absurd and, finally, to the hilarious.
10. Buy a sweet Lamborghini
Who doesn’t love cars? Jones could have purchased a 2024 Lamborghini Revuelto. Once tax is factored in, he’d be right near $1 million.
Certainly better than having to give the money to the Chiefs.
9. Build out a wine cellar and put together a staggering collection
Listen, we all have hobbies. Jones wouldn’t be the first NFL player to invest in wine. Just ask Drew Bledsoe. Once Jones retires, it could give him something new to be involved with.
Looking at the prices of vintage wine, Jones could do serious work with $1 million. And as time goes on, he can either drink the stuff or sell it for a profit. Either way, he wins.
8. Buy a private island
Is it practical? Of course not, but who cares? It’s buying an island instead of giving fine money to the NFL. This is a baller move, and if Jones wants, he can buy multiple islands at a lower cost. Frankly, islands aren’t going for what you might think.
It’s a great place to have some parties, get away, etc. Invest in real estate, Chris.
7. Purchase a 1952 Mickey Mantle rookie card
Look, sports cards are like mini stocks when you get into the really valuable ones. There are few more precious in the space than the 1952 Mantle, which was made in Topps’s inaugural landmark set.
Some Mantle rookie cards are selling for well into the millions, but a decent one can be fetched on the market for $1 million. It’s a smart investment with the way cards are booming.
6. Invest in a new chain of BBQ restaurants in the Kansas City area
This feels like a home run. Jones is a legend in Kansas City, and everyone in the area—along with those who visit—loves to hit barbeque joints.
In this space, Jones can thrive. Lend his name to the business, hire some of the best cooks out there and deck the places out with Chiefs memorabilia. Put massive televisions in each location, and run Super Bowls LIV and LVII on loop.
It’s a gold rush of an idea.
5. Buy lottery tickets
The Powerball is currently over $170 million. Guess what? It costs only $2 dollars to play. That’s a lot of tickets for Jones, who, if he wins the Powerball, won’t have to care if the Chiefs ever pony up. Hell, he can retire on the spot with his two Super Bowl rings.
The downside here is minimal. If Jones doesn’t win, who cares? He’s still worth a fortune, and, eventually, somebody will give him the money back in a workout bonus. Time to go for it.
4. Buy some Chiefs tickets for one of two reasons
The average ticket to a Chiefs game on the secondary market is $577. At that price Jones could buy 1,700 tickets, giving him $19,100 leftover for taxes and whatnot.
If Jones has a new contract by the start of the season, he can donate the seats to people in the area as a gesture of goodwill. If he doesn’t have a new deal, he can use the tickets to bring fans in with “Pay Chris Jones” signs and really drive the point home.
3. Go into business with Patrick Mahomes
Mahomes is one of the better businesspeople in sports today, having already locked up big deals with Oakley, State Farm and others. The quarterback also owns part of MLB’s Royals, and he had enough pull to get Whataburger to Kansas City.
Denny Medley/USA TODAY Sports
Jones should invest in a startup that he and Mahomes share a vision for. Smart money says it’ll do just fine.
2. Purchase a plane to fly a banner over Chiefs training camp
In this scenario, Jones decides to hold in. He’s not practicing with the team, but he’s also not getting fined. Now, he decides to increase the pressure on the Chiefs by hiring a private pilot to fly over St. Joseph, Mo., during each practice for $1,000 per hour, just circling the field.
The banner reads: PAY CHRIS JONES.
But doing the math, having Jones pay for two hours over the course of around 15 practices is only $30,000. What does that mean? More planes.
Hire pilots at the same rate to fly over Arrowhead Stadium, over Kansas City’s downtown, over the interstates. Just flood the area. Make it a massive public relations push.
1. Purchase air time like a local politician
Imagine this: you’re sitting home watching Wheel of Fortune, and then a commercial comes on …
“Hi, I’m Chris Jones. Did you know the Chiefs aren’t willing to give me the extension I’m seeking despite leading the way to a pair of Super Bowl victories? As a first-team All-Pro and likely Hall of Famer, I’m waiting on fair compensation. Please call the Chiefs and tell them you support an extension for Chris Jones … paid for by Chris Jones.”
Epic.
