Segota Changes His Mind : Socker Star Decides Not to Sign Contract for Six-Year Deal

Branko Segota was 55 minutes away from becoming a millionaire Tuesday.

The Sockers’ star midfielder was expected to sign a six-year contract worth $1.25 million (plus a Ferrari) at a news conference Tuesday at San Diego Jack Murphy Stadium.

Segota’s contract would have been the longest and most lucrative contract in the history of the Major Indoor Soccer League.

Segota, 25, and his agent, Hal Kolker, have been in negotiations with Socker general managing partner Bob Bell since late last summer. As of Monday night, Kolker and Bell were convinced an agreement had finally been reached.

At 11:05 Tuesday morning, Bell said he received a call in his office from Segota, who is in the midst of his option year.

“He said he decided not to sign the contract,” said Bell. “I immediately called his agent, who was stunned. None of us could believe it.”

At noon, Socker public relations director Glenn Goldberg walked into the news conference at the stadium.

He was alone. And he looked disappointed.

“At times like this I wish I was a baker,” said Goldberg, who had no explanation for Segota’s decision.

When reached at home Tuesday afternoon, Segota said: “They (Bell and Kolker) took it upon themselves to make the press conference without me knowing. I kept thinking about the contract and decided I was not happy with what I got. Maybe it is better that I play out my option. There was no reason to sign the contract.

“They can’t give me money up front. I want a three-year contract, two years and an option, and not a six-year contract. They wouldn’t guarantee the loan on the car. I tried to bend after they couldn’t give me the personal guarantee for the contract, but there is no reason to sign this specific contract and sign for six years.”

Bell said he could not offer Segota more money up front because of the $1.25-million salary cap per MISL team. Therefore, he had to offer him an escalating contract.

“All I can infer is that Branko does not want to play in San Diego,” Bell said. “Hal has washed his hands of it. He said he’s through. He’s given up.”

Kolker said he even wore a suit to work Tuesday because he was prepared to attend the press conference.

“Branko is acting childish and immature,” Kolker said Tuesday. “We made him a millionaire and he didn’t like the color of his Ferrari. I saw him yesterday and all he said was that he wanted a real red Ferrari instead of a burgundy one.

“Basically, Bob has given in on over 20 points. We did everything to accommodate Branko. We insured him so that if he slips in the kitchen on a banana peel, he’ll make more money than he would have from playing soccer.

“Branko is not dealing as a gentleman. If he wants to talk about it, he knows my phone number.”

Segota--who led the Sockers in scoring with 60 goals and 46 assists last season and has a team-leading 16 points (seven goals and nine assists) this season--said he will think matters over for a week and then “see what happens.”

“I don’t know why Hal is upset,” Segota said. “It’s my career.”

Kolker said that Segota might have been influenced in his decision by former Socker Steve Zungul, who is a very close friend.

Bell took that thought one step further when he said: “The agent called me back later and said everything seemed fine until late Monday night. Then he (Segota) talked to Steve Zungul. Steve must have convinced him not to stay in San Diego.”

That comment annoyed Zungul.

“I didn’t talk to Branko Monday,” Zungul said Tuesday afternoon from Tacoma. “I talked to Branko a few weeks ago. It wasn’t the first time we talked about his contract, but he didn’t tell me the details.

“I’m willing to give Branko advice as a friend, but I had nothing to do with his decision. I’m not his agent. I’m just his best friend. Like a brother.”

Zungul said it was unfair for Bell to bring his name into Segota’s contractual negotiations.

“Is he going to stop me from talking to my family and my mother?” Zungul said. “Bob Bell is trying to hurt my name in San Diego.”

Segota respects Zungul’s opinions, but there is no doubt he is his own man.

“Steve said, ‘You’d be foolish to tie yourself down,’ ” Segota said. “He said, ‘You should ask for money up front.’ That’s what Stevie told me. That was his advice as a friend. But it’s my decision.”

If Segota does not sign a new contract and opts to play out his option, he leaves open the possibility of playing the outdoor game overseas during the off-season. Segota was on the Canadian World Cup team this past summer and still wants to prove himself internationally. Not playing outdoors would have been a requirement in the new contract.

Knowing the Sockers’ history of selling high-priced stars such as Zungul and Juli Veee (who was sold to the Las Vegas Americans before 1984-’85 season but returned to the Sockers as a free agent after Las Vegas folded), there’s also the possibility that Bell will try to sell Segota if he plays out his option year.

“I would think Bob would try,” said Segota, who has a no-cut, no-trade clause in his contract. “But he can’t do anything without my approval.”