Signing Bonus
Signing bonuses are paid to the player regardless of a buyout. Therefore, as explained in the buyout caphit formula above, signing bonuses are excluded in the equation when determining the total buyout cost, and are included in the AAV value when determining the remaining caphit.
Signing bonuses therefore decrease the buyout caphit savings. In the case of players with significant signing bonuses, such as
David Clarkson, the remaining caphit decreases minimally. Due to this, Clarkson's contract has been referred to as a
buyout-proof contract.