Heat Staff Find Their Paychecks In A Miami Vise

Want to trim the budget during a recession, but can't get around that little matter of guaranteed contracts? Take a page from Heat, and cut the pay of the entire front office staff, including Erik Spoelstra and Pat Riley.

Maybe the royalties haven't been flowing from Riley's trademark of "Threepeat," (seriously, look it up), but Miami's a little short of cash. Rather than let people go, Riley asked everyone on the basketball side of operations to take cuts of up to 20 percent. And of course, by "asked," I mean "told."

That means everyone from PR people to scouts, coaches on down to ball boys will be seeing a little less green this year. All the while Quentin Richardson continues to make $9.4 million. There's no justice.

For top earners like Riley, Spoelstra and certain execs, this means cuts in the six figures. It's a noble sacrifice, but I wouldn't want to be the one to inform Riley that this won't help with the salary cap, which the Heat are $3 million over with two roster spots to be filled.

Pat Riley, Miami Heat Coaching Staff Endure Major Pay Cuts [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]