Bill Belichick is the second highest paid coach in sports according to Forbes. (Getty Images)
Some of the more cynical NFL fans out there will say that it “pays to cheat.”
According to Forbes, Patriots head coach Bill Belichick and New Orleans Saints boss Sean Payton are the two highest paid coaches in sports. Belichick routinely draws the ire of opposing fan bases for his role in the 2007 “SpyGate” scandal and Payton was suspended for the entire 2012 season for his role in the Saints’ “BountyGate” saga.
Payton has actually surpassed Belichick on the list as he makes, roughly, $8 million per year while Belichick is reportedly tied for second with new Chiefs coach Andy Reid at $7.5 million per. Belichick has not publically discussed his contract status in years, last addressing the issue in 2007.
“I don’t talk about contracts but I would say I like working here, I like the organization; ownership, coaches, scouts, players and the guys I work with,” Belichick said in July of that year. “I appreciate the opportunity to work here and it’s a good situation. I don’t see that changing anytime soon.”
Celtics head coach Doc Rivers was also on the list, in the top 10, as he makes $7 million per year.