I'm a big conspiracy theorist so I'll throw in a new theory.
Over the past 3 days, the 49ers have granted Scot McCloughan a leave of absence for personal reasons but from all news reports, McCloughan will no longer be the GM and will not return to the 49ers. So basically, they have mutually agreed to part ways. We've also learned that McCloughan is going through a divorce. Divorce isn't final with his wife but the proceedings have begun since February.
Now, I don't think McCloughan wants to leave the 49ers. I think he wants to see his work and all the talent his accumulated win the NFC West next season and become perennial playoff contenders again. Who wouldn't want to see all their hard work become a success?
So if McCloughan doesn't want to leave, why would he agree to part ways with the 49ers. He would be better off financially if the 49ers just fired him and they would have to pay his full contract.
This is where my conspiracy theory comes into play. When I read
Michael Silver's Yahoo Article, I found an interesting part from it:
Quote:
A source close to McCloughan said, the general manager “was blindsided” on Wednesday when York called him into a meeting with other high-ranking team officials and told him his services were no longer wanted. There’s a suspicion among those in the McCloughan camp – and other sources familiar with the team’s front-office politics – that Paraag Marathe, the Niners’ vice president of football operations, pushed for the move as an attempt to gain more power.
So back to my question, if McCloughan is being "forced out," why would he mutually agree to part ways and take less money in a settlement? He would make more money by just getting fired.
My theory is that someone in the organization (maybe Paraag or someone else) has some dirt on McCloughan that could effect the divorce proceedings (like take away visitation rights from his kids or something like that because maybe Scot is having multiple affairs or drug addiction, alcoholism). They are then using this information to blackmail him to leave the 49ers or else they will release their information to Scot's wife.
It just doesn't make sense for Scot to leave without putting up a fight...and in reality he hasn't.
Think about it. Everybody wins in this settlement:
-Whoever is doing the blackmailing gets more power in the organization.
-The Yorks save money from not having to pay Scot's full contract.
-Scot gets settlement money and any dirt on him will not be revealed.
What do you guys think? yes, no, Desi - you're an idiot!!!!
[ Edited by DesiDez on Mar 19, 2010 at 10:49 PM ]