Photo: Earl Gardner
The Philadelphia Union announced on Wednesday that defender Ray Gaddis has a new multi-year contract that will see him remain with the club through 2016.
Per league and club policy, just how much Gaddis will earn was not released but Union technical director Chris ALbright is quoted in the announcement as saying the defender’s new salary is “commensurate with [his] performance and abilities moving forward.” According to the most recent salary figures from the MLS Players Union, published in April, before the new contract Gaddis was to earn $52,313 in 2014.
Interim head coach Jim Curtin said in the announcement, “When you talk about Ray, I get a smile on my face because this is one of the things I’m most happy about in my short tenure as the coach to get him rewarded for all his hard work. Off the field, this is a tribute to his parents. They’ve raised a kid who has as good of character as I’ve ever seen in a human being. In terms of accepting challenges and taking on new roles – playing left back without complaining, working after practice every day on his weak foot and finding ways to get better – he does everything you ask and more.”
A native of Indianapolis native, Gaddis played his college ball at West Virginia, joining the Union after being selected in the second round (35th overall) of the 2012 SuperDraft. While attending West Virginia, Gaddis also played for Union PDL affiliate Reading United.
Gaddis has 76 appearances for the Union since joining the club, including 75 starts, and has three assists, two of which came this season. His MLS debut came on April 14, 2012 in the 1-0 win over Columbus Crew.
It couldn’t have happened to a nicer guy. Good to see the Union taking care of their own here.
+1. Especially with the current sports news, I live seeing them sign a player of the highest character.
Well earned, Ray.
Dinner’s on Ray! Well-deserved.
Chick fil A.
Nah, Chipotle.
Nice to see Ray get a much deserved raise.
One of the biggest reasons I love watching Ray play – he does so with a smile on his face. Good move for the Union.
I assume this was the player announcement. I was hoping for something BIG! Ha! Anyway, good for Ray… he deserves it. And good for us too!
To me, this IS something big. I want this kid locked up for a while and his previous deal ended this season. Great news!
I was just kidding… hence my “Ha”. I shall be clearer next time. It is definitely good and BIG news.
Congratulations to Ray. Well-deserved.
I know people keep clamoring for a “real” LB, but I think both Ray and Sheanon are just too good to trade away. I say we keep them both as starters, and let Ray continue to work on his left foot, because at his rate of development, he’ll be a premier LB in the league pretty quickly.
$52,313. These are comparable to the days when Joe DiMaggio needed an offseason job or was forced to pay for his own uniform to be laundered.
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$52,313. I guess it is better than $42,313.
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Nevertheless– Ray, I am glad you have a new contract and hope the best for you. Ever think of a PT job as an RN?
Probably the equivalent to a NHL bridge contract. This will keep him around pretty cheap until the next contract where presumably he will get 6 figures if his developmental arc doesn’t flatten out.
Better then starting salary of a 9-1-1 operator. But it is well deserved
$52k was his OLD contract. I bet/hope his new contract is around $100k +
Congratulations!
He’s worth every penny. Good for ray
Very happy for Ray! Have been a big fan of him and his potential from day one. All the best to him and the U!
s why they choose to make home improvements room by room.
For example bay and bow windows they made add aesthetic appeal but they won’t add extra to the bottom line return.
She never turned off those water valves on the wall,
she had always just had them on ready for use.