Some intel into how the Patriots run their organization has been learned in the case between former assistant Bret Bielema and the Razorback Foundation.
After being fired as Arkansas football coach, the Razorback Foundation believes Bielema violated his obligation to make his “best efforts” to land a new job and get market-based pay.
Bielema initially made $25,000 in his first year as a consultant with the Patriots before earning between $100,000 and $200,000 in full-time roles. Because he was only paid $25,000, Arkansas needed to come up with the difference between that and market value for him.
The Razorback Foundation claims Bill Belichick, Bielema and their shared agent, Neil Cornrich, were behind it.
But, it doesn't appear to be the case.
According to a story published by Sportico's Michael McCann, the Patriots and Belichick actually believed they were overpaying Bielema, not underpaying.
Attorney Tom Mars says the Patriots normally pay new coaches without NFL experience between $15,000 and $65,000 a year, which is obviously well below the $100,000-plus Bielema got.
Emails between Belichick and Robert Kraft relating to his pay were ordered to remain sealed and not become public.
After the 2019 season, Bielema moved on to the Giants and is now the head coach of the University of Illinois.
Click here to read to full story, which is quite extensive and goes into more detail relating to Bielema.
