Don Pyke, the chief executive officer of the West Coast Eagles, has recently provided an update regarding contract negotiations with 20-year-old superstar Harley Reid. Reid’s current contract with the Eagles runs through the end of 2026. Yet, now, several Victorian clubs are circling one of the best young talents in the competition, leading to conversation and speculation around his future. The developing situation has led to Pyke to begin advocating for Reid’s future with the team.
Reid is said to be considering a competitive bid that may reach nearly $2 million a year. Going forward in negotiations, Pyke said it’s crucial to have a sense of what Reid wants in a deal. Pyke and Reid are locked in discussion about the young player’s impending lucrative new contract. In fact, they’re looking to make a long-term deal—going as far out as 10 years.
“I don’t know and hopefully it gets to the point where he wants to make a decision soon and then we’ll deal with that,” Pyke stated. His comments embody an urgency that both sides feel as we continue to walk through this important inflection point in the career of Reid.
The buzz around Reid is real, with every single Victorian club said to be tracking him closely. Honestly, this type of focus really just serves to highlight Reid’s standing as a boom player in the NFL right now. We can’t wait to see where he goes from here. The issues he will now uniquely grapple with have the potential to define his tenure and determine the future of his league’s competitive balance.
“That’s assuming he even knows what he wants,” Pyke continued, noting the difficulties entailed in negotiating such a deal. Only time will tell how the young athlete’s decisions will come to influence his path on the gridiron to the pros. Pyke is looking forward to helping Reid in this important transitional period.
Pyke has spoken to Reid about the emotional aspect of representing the Eagles, particularly in Perth. They’ve focused heavily on the financial side of whatever the future contract would be. He couldn’t go a day without expressing pride in the organization during their discussions.
I’m kind of overwhelmed right now,” Pyke admitted. He reiterated his pride in the footy club and underscored his commitment to ensuring Reid feels seen and heard as he navigates his future.
