6 Recent Notable Contract Disputes in NY/NJ Sports

By Daniel Friedman
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On Wednesday night, Islanders' forward Brock Nelson finally signed a new contract, meeting the deadline set forth by the team. He will report to training camp, and the focus can shift back to what's happening on the ice.

Nelson's situation was far from unusual, and certainly nothing out of the ordinary in these parts. Here are six recent examples from the local sports scene of contract talks that didn't go smoothly:

Darrelle Revis (2010)

Revis held out of training camp, wanting to be the highest-paid cornerback in the NFL. About a week before the season began, he and the Jets agreed to a four-year, $32 million contract. The situation nearly repeated itself in 2012 and, a year later he was traded to Tampa Bay.

Jose Reyes (2011)

Reyes opted not to talk shop with the Mets during the season and, ultimately, the two sides never got on the same page. He even asked to be taken out of the last game of the season to ensure he finished ahead of Ryan Braun for the NL batting title. Reyes subsequently signed a six-year, $106 million contract with the Miami Marlins that winter.

Osi Umenyiora (2011)

"What has been offered is unacceptable," was what Umenyiora had to say about the Giants' contract proposal. He said that the Giants "don't really respect the fact that I sacrifice my health for the franchise." However, he ultimately decided to end his holdout in an act of good faith. The sides have since repaired their relationship, and Osi signed a one-day contract with Big Blue so that he could retire as a Giant.

Ryan Callahan (2014)

The former captain and the Rangers struggled for months to get something done, but ultimately a dispute over a mere $500,000 per season over six years -- Rangers reportedly offered $36 million, while Callahan demanded $39 million -- resulted in his trade to Tampa Bay. The Rangers got future Hall of Famer Martin St. Louis back in the deal and made a run to the Stanley Cup Final. Callahan, after signing a six-year deal with Tampa, helped lead the Lightning to the Final last season.

Derek Stepan (2015)

Negotiations were reportedly going nowhere fast, with Stepan's camp and the Rangers far apart. But just before his arbitration hearing was set to commence, a six-year, $39 million accord was reached.

Muhammad Wilkerson (2015/16)

This is ongoing, but Wilkerson will play out the 2015 season amidst his contract situation. This will be something to keep an eye on during the offseason. He could get franchised.