Salaries

In the months since his retirement, former Maryland men's basketball coach Gary Williams has been deployed by the university as a fundraiser and high-level salesman. For his work - and perhaps also in deference to his 22 years of service - Williams is being well compensated. Three sources familiar with his deal have said in recent weeks that Williams is earning an annual salary of $400,000. Maryland isn't apologizing for the longtime coach's contract. The athletic department - which must weather the sour economy as it pays off the debt required to modernize Byrd Stadium's Tyser Tower - is eager for new donors and increased revenue.

In his letter to The Sun printed Aug. 18 ("O'Malley correct on church-state separation"), Arnold Paskoff suggests there should be "no representation without taxation. " This implies that he thinks Archbishop Edwin O'Brien pays no taxes. I believe this is incorrect. Archdiocesan priests, who are not members of religious orders, (e.g., Franciscans, Jesuits, etc.), receive salaries from their parish, or the Archdiocese, or from whatever organization employs them. This salary is subject to federal and state income tax and Social Security tax. But taxation is beside the point.

As Anne Arundel school board members discussed efforts to address the achievement gap in the system on Wednesday, they called upon county citizens to not only get involved but to understand that the arduous task needs to be properly funded. The board's action came two days after the County Council struck down its efforts to move budget funds from administration to instruction, citing salary agreements the board struck with the teachers' union. "If you really want to do something for these kids, this is what it's going to cost,'" said board member Eugene Peterson.

As the Orioles continue to get tossed around by their American League East rivals, it's easy to cite disparities in player salaries as the main culprit. After all, the Red Sox and Yankees spend at least $80 million more than the Orioles annually. However, during a recent series against the Yankees, Buck Showalter looked past the large salary gaps and found another startling difference between the division's haves and have-nots. "I know [payrolls are] what everyone looks at when you're talking about this division," Showalter told Bill Madden of The New York Daily News . "But the real disparity, the disparity that's hurting baseball, is the disparity that no one sees -- the amount of money being spent on scouting and player development.

The Ravens were interested in keeping nose tackle Kelly Gregg , but they couldn't match an offer from the Kansas City Chiefs. Gregg reportedly will earn twice as much with the Chiefs than he would have with the Ravens, who were offering him $1.5 million. The Ravens officially released Gregg on Thursday, creating $3.5 million in salary-cap room. "Kansas City just gave him an offer that he couldn't refuse," coach John Harbaugh said. "We just wish him the best. Obviously, it's the best thing for his family financially, and we're happy for him. " Playing in Kansas City was a factor for Gregg, whose family lives in Oklahoma.

The city of Baltimore received a sobering reminder about the business side of professional football Monday when veterans Derrick Mason, Todd Heap, Willis McGahee and Kelly Gregg were informed by the Ravens that the team has decided to release them from their contracts. The official announcement that NFL owners and the NFL players association had come to an agreement to end the lockout had barely sunk in when Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome issued a statement that outlined the team's plans to move quickly to create room to maneuver financially.

The celebration of the NFL's 4-month lockout ending turned into disbelief when the Ravens cut four players, including their top two receivers of all time. According to league sources, the Ravens informed tight end Todd Heap, wide receiver Derrick Mason, nose tackle Kelly Gregg and running back Willis McGahee that they will be released only a few hours after the NFL and its players agreed on a new 10-year collective bargaining agreement Monday, turning this city's football world upside down.

Negotiators for the NFL and its players are near an agreement on rookie pay, clearing a major obstacle toward reaching a new labor accord and reopening football a week before training camps are scheduled to start, three people familiar with the talks said. Rookie pay dominated negotiations this week after the sides neared a deal on how to divide a projected $9.3 billion in revenue that would give just less than half to players, according to the people, who were granted anonymity because they weren't authorized to discuss the talks publicly.

Ever have dealings with a Baltimore County government official and think, "I wonder how much he (or she) makes?" Now, if you have a computer with Web access, you can find out almost instantly. As of July 1, the annual salary of every county employee has been posted online. Ever have dealings with a Baltimore County government official and think, "I wonder how much he (or she) makes?" Now, if you have a computer with Web access, you can find out almost instantly. As of July 1, the annual salary of every county employee has been posted online.