Contracts are often viewed as mundane and uninteresting, but some agreements have clauses that are truly astonishing.
From bizarre requirements to clever loopholes, these contracts showcase human ingenuity and creativity. In this collection, we'll explore 30 intriguing contract stories that will leave you amazed and entertained. Get ready to discover the unusual world of contracts.
1. Adidas' Anti-Scientology Clause
Adidas has a clause in its contract that allows them to terminate the deal if the player belongs to any organization representing the principles of L. Ron Hubbard, i.e., Scientology. This clause is aimed at maintaining a neutral and inclusive environment for all athletes.
2. Gene Roddenberry's Tricorder Clause
Gene Roddenberry, the creator of Star Trek, added a clause to his contract with Paramount specifying that if anyone made a functioning tricorder, they could call it a tricorder. This clause showcased Roddenberry's vision for a futuristic world.
3. William Shatner's Directing Stint
William Shatner directed 'Star Trek V: The Final Frontier' due to a clause in his contract, which ensured he received the same opportunities as Leonard Nimoy. After Nimoy directed 'Star Trek IV', Shatner insisted on his turn at directing a movie.
4. Lobster Overload Clause
In Massachusetts, servants had a clause in their contracts demanding not to be fed lobster more than three times a week, due to its abundance and perceived lack of luxury.
5. Julie Kavner's Voice Protection
Voice actress Julie Kavner, who voiced Marge in The Simpsons, has a clause in her contract exempting her from promoting herself on camera as Marge's voice. This clause helps maintain the illusion of Marge as a separate character.
6. Messi's Napkin Contract
Lionel Messi's first contract with FC Barcelona was written on a restaurant napkin during a meeting with executives. The napkin is now securely held in a safe at Credit Andorra Bank, serving as a symbol of Messi's humble beginnings.
7. Andy Kaufman's Alter Ego Clause
Actor Andy Kaufman insisted that his alter ego, Tony Clifton, have guest appearances on ABC sitcom Taxi with a separate contract. This clause allowed Kaufman to explore different characters and personas.
8. Jeremy Meeks' Modeling Break
Jeremy Meeks, a former member of the Crips street gang, gained a modeling contract based on his attractive mugshot while he was still in jail. His unique story and looks helped launch his modeling career.
9. Siemens' Questionable Business Deal
A British embassy investigation revealed that Siemens' Iranian sales agent allowed the Shah to sleep with his wife in exchange for a contract. This disturbing revelation highlights the darker side of business dealings.
10. Carrie Chapman Catt's Prenuptial Clause
Carrie Chapman Catt, a women's suffrage leader, included a special clause in her 1890 wedding prenuptials, guaranteeing her four months of free time every year to campaign for women's right to vote.
11. Van Halen's M&M's Test
American rock band Van Halen had a "no brown M&Ms" clause in their contracts to ensure venues adhered to safety standards. The presence of brown M&Ms signified potential non-compliance, giving the band a reason to inspect the venue thoroughly.
12. MLB's "Player to Be Named Later" Clause
In Major League Baseball, the "player to be named later" clause has led to four players being traded for themselves. This unusual provision has resulted in some surprising transactions.
13. Jeanne Calment's Unconventional Deal
A 90-year-old Frenchwoman, Jeanne Calment, signed a contract with a 47-year-old lawyer, giving him her apartment upon her death in exchange for a monthly allowance. However, she outlived him, and his widow continued the payments.
14. Kimi Raikkonen's Bonus Bonanza
F1 driver Kimi Raikkonen's contract included a €50,000 bonus per point, which his team thought he wouldn't score many. However, Kimi scored 390 points in two years, resulting in a massive payout.
15. Jackie Mitchell's Voided Contract
Jackie Mitchell, a female minor league pitcher, struck out Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig back-to-back in 1928. However, the Baseball Commissioner voided her contract, claiming baseball was "too strenuous" for women.
16. Boris Mikhailov's Declined Offer
Boris Mikhailov, captain of the USSR hockey team, was offered a $1 million contract to leave Russia in 1980. However, he declined the offer due to the presence of KGB agents.
17. Michael Keaton's Batman Break
Michael Keaton negotiated a break in his Batman movie contract in case the Pirates made the playoffs. This unique clause allowed him to balance work and his love for sports.
18. The Grandfather Clause
The Grandfather Clause emerged after the American Civil War, allowing whites to vote if their grandfathers were eligible, while excluding most blacks. This clause was used to restrict voting rights.
19. Sarah Jessica Parker's No-Nudity Clause
Sarah Jessica Parker had a no-nudity contract clause while working on "Sex and the City." She was the only leading actress not to do nude scenes, maintaining her personal boundaries.
20. Jake "The Snake" Roberts' Snake Phobia
Jake "The Snake" Roberts carried around a 100-pound python despite being scared of snakes, due to the significant amount of money in his contract.
21. Japanese Insurance Suicide Clause
Japanese insurance companies included one-year exemption clauses in their policies, leading to a spike in suicides on the thirteenth month of the contract. This disturbing trend highlights the unintended consequences of such clauses.
22. Fred Mertz's World Series Clause
William Frawley's contract for "I Love Lucy" stipulated that he didn't have to work if the NY Yankees were playing in the World Series, resulting in his character's absence from two episodes.
23. Elon Musk's Spacesuit clause
Elon Musk explicitly wrote into SpaceX's contract with Orbital Outfitters that the company's new spacesuits must look "badass." This clause reflects Musk's attention to detail and commitment to innovative design.
24. Samuel Jackson's Golfing Freedom
Samuel Jackson has a clause in his film contracts granting him the freedom to play golf during film shoots whenever he desires. This unique clause allows him to balance work and his passion for golf.
25. GameStation's "Immortal Soul Clause"
As an April Fool's joke, UK game retailer GameStation inserted an 'Immortal Soul Clause' into their EULA, stating that customers agreed to transfer their souls to the company. Over 7,000 users neglected to uncheck the box.
26. The Beatles' Recording Contract
The Beatles' contract with Parlophone Records included a clause that required them to produce a certain number of songs within a specific timeframe. This clause helped drive their creative output and innovation.
27. Marlon Brando's Weight Clause
Marlon Brando's contract for "Superman" included a clause that required him to maintain a certain weight, ensuring his physical appearance matched the character's requirements.
28. David Hasselhoff's Baywatch Clause
David Hasselhoff's contract for "Baywatch" included a clause that prohibited him from appearing shirtless in any other TV show or film, maintaining the character's iconic image.
29. Christopher Nolan's Film Stock Clause
Christopher Nolan's contract for "Dunkirk" included a clause that required the film to be shot using IMAX cameras and film stock, ensuring a unique cinematic experience.
30. Lady Gaga's Mermaid Costume Clause
Lady Gaga's contract for her "Born This Way Ball" tour included a clause that required her to wear a custom-made mermaid costume for a specific number of shows, adding an extra layer of spectacle to her performances.
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Anne Kostick has been Editor-in-Chief since September 2007. Previously, Anne was a principal at Foxpath IND, a publishing, consulting and editorial services company specializing in the transition to and from traditional content publishing and online content management, development and publishing. Her clients included trade book publishers, technology and financial services Web sites, and arts and cultural institutions. Previously, she worked as Licensing and Product Development Director, Senior Acquisitions Editor and Director of Electronic Publishing for Workman Publishing, and as Senior Acquisitions Editor for Harry N. Abrams/Stewart, Tabori & Chang. In the online world she worked as Director of Content Development for Vitaminshoppe.com. Anne has a B.A. in Greek and Latin, with a minor in Theater, from Beloit College. She is the author of several books for children, as well as a definitive collection of jokes.