Re: Rooneys contract
I don't really think the rags had a choice. He is still their most influential player and had they lost him and not qualified for Europe, they would have struggled to attract anyone and would have been in the doldrums for potentially years. This would affect revenue and sponsorship deals and before you know it, it's 10 years of fighting to get back in the top 4. Crowds would decline and worldwide support would switch off.
It's a high risk, costly strategy but the rags are not short of revenue.
From a fans perspective, why would they give a shit how much someone gets paid? I certainly don't with ours.