Bill Parcells
Bill Parcells When Bill Parcells signed a four-year, $12 million contract to be the executive vice president of football operations of the Miami Dolphins in December of 2007, both side agreed to a deal with an escape clause.

Apparently, Parcells had the right to leave within 30-days of the team being sold and intended to do so once a deal had been finalized on the purchase on of the team by new owner Stephen M. Ross.

"I will exercise my right to leave once this season is over and the team sale is complete," said Parcells in a message sent to out-going owner Wayne Huizenga.

Parcells had
reservations about working with the team's new ownership and did not want to be locked into the remainder of his contract without a working relationship with Ross.

That's when Huizenga went to work.

In a effort to keep Parcells in Miami, Huizenga communicated a contractual change to Ross and he did not protest. Parcells' contract was amended and his new deal gives the 67 year-old the right to leave at any time with full compensation. Without the shackles, Parcells has agreed to stay on through 2009 season.

"It was the right thing to do," Huizenga said. "It was good for Bill. It was good for Steve. It was good for the Dolphins.