In a tense and highly competitive event, Liberty University’s Zoeanne Missner and Nicholas Hayes negotiated a simulated three-year, $73 million contract for Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson. The victory took place during Tulane University’s Professional Football Negotiation Competition, drawing attention to the intense world of NFL contract negotiations and signaling new talent pipelines in sports management. The competition challenges law and MBA students to replicate real NFL contract scenarios, providing critical experience while drawing interest from NFL executives.
A Rigorous Battle Simulating NFL Contract Negotiations
Since 2014, Tulane’s negotiation competition has grown into a significant national platform, attracting 56 teams with participants from 39 universities. Students take on roles as either player agents or team executives and engage in high-pressure negotiation settings resembling actual NFL contract discussions. Across several days, contenders face elimination rounds judged by industry professionals who evaluate the realism, negotiation strategy, and balance between franchise sustainability and player benefits. The competition culminated in a bracket-style playoff that narrowed the field to a single winning pair.
Rob Simpson, Denver Broncos Football Administration & Strategy Manager, highlighted the competition’s value for NFL recruiting, stating,
“The competition is good for recruiting for our side. We’ve interviewed a couple of people who have competed in the past. We’re looking for critical thinking skills and being able to think on your feet. Having that kind of condensed timeframe there, I think, helps you see how people kind of work under pressure.”
Student Perspectives: Aspirations Fueled by Real-World Experience
The competition has had a profound impact on students’ career choices, with many drawn to law school because of this unique opportunity. AJ Stevens of Athletes First recalled,
“I had a couple students tell me that the only reason they even went to law school was because of this competition. It’s definitely shocking to see how big it is. I always thought that it was something cool, but I didn’t think that it would grow to the level that it has.”
For Missner and Hayes, this experience aligns with their ambitions in sports representation, showcasing their negotiation skills under intense conditions. Hayes described the ordeal:
“It was just action-packed, very intense. In between the quarterfinals, semifinals, and final rounds, we had an hour to prepare all of our final arguments and get all of our stats in line, and make sure our contracts were correct. Then it was a sigh of relief when we finally won.”
Their success was guided by judges with extensive NFL backgrounds, such as Athletes First CEO Brian Murphy, VP of Client Strategy AJ Stevens, Browns Director of Football Administration Taylor Young, and salary cap expert Callum Mahoney.
Current Developments in Trey Hendrickson’s NFL Status
While Missner and Hayes negotiated a promising three-year deal for Hendrickson in the competition, the real Bengals defensive end’s contract situation is actively in flux. After his contract expired recently, the Cincinnati Bengals are reportedly considering applying the franchise tag to retain Hendrickson, which would prevent him from negotiating freely with other teams. Mike Garafolo reported,
“Our understanding is that the Bengals are still considering using the franchise tag. Now, could it be a tag-and-trade possibility? Perhaps. Sounds like all options are on the table for Hendrickson right now, but it is not a forgone conclusion that his time in Cincinnati is over.”
Drafted originally by the New Orleans Saints in 2017, Hendrickson joined the Bengals in 2021 and quickly established himself as one of the league’s premier defensive ends. His accolades include four Pro Bowl selections and a First Team All-Pro honor in 2024. He last agreed to a one-year deal worth $29 million for the 2025 season, but as that contract has now expired, attention turns to whether Cincinnati will negotiate another extension or explore alternative moves.
The Broader Impact on NFL Contract Negotiation and Talent Development
Tulane’s negotiation competition serves not only as a training ground for aspiring sports agents but also as an increasingly recognized source of emerging talent for NFL organizations. By simulating the pressures and complexities of player contracts before experienced judges, participants demonstrate critical skills that NFL front offices value highly. The exposure for students like Missner and Hayes is shaping future careers and providing franchises with potential new hires who understand the intricacies of contract law and negotiation strategy.
For Hendrickson and the Bengals, the situation remains uncertain but the negotiations will undoubtedly remain intense. As the NFL offseason plays out, the franchise’s decisions about Hendrickson’s contract will carry significant implications both on and off the field, making the outcomes of this negotiation drama something to watch closely.
Tulane’s Professional Football Negotiation Competition gives MBA & law students hands-on experience negotiating NFL contracts before industry executives 🏈
This year’s winner was a Liberty University duo who secured a three-year, $73M deal for Bengals' Trey Hendrickson.
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— Sports Business Journal (@SBJ) February 8, 2026
