The hottest Contracts Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Business Topics

The Analytics Requirements Document

Sarah's Newsletter • 359 implied HN points • 27 Oct 22
💼 Business Contracts
  1. Analytics should be a first-class citizen in crafting product launches to avoid wasted time and ensure measurable success.
  2. Utilize detailed agreements like Product Requirements Documents (PRD) and Analytics Requirements Documents (ARD) to align teams, outline goals, data criteria, assumptions, and finalize expectations.
  3. Involving analytics early in the product evolution lifecycle is crucial for gathering and analyzing data effectively, helping in decision-making, and ensuring alignment across technical and business teams.

About that ISDA Pt 3: The Preamble

The Jolly Contrarian • 59 implied HN points • 17 Feb 24
💼 Business Contracts
  1. A preamble in a legal document sets the scene and primes you for the contract, like a story's beginning. It's where important elements are hinted at before they become relevant.
  2. ISDA (International Swaps and Derivatives Association) has evolved from older versions like the 1992 ISDA to the more widely-used 2002 version, highlighting the slow adoption of new agreements in established industries.
  3. The ISDA Master Agreement includes important sections like the Schedule, which fine-tunes termination provisions and tax representations, and Transactions, which vary widely based on the type of swap being made.

Where's Dwayne Jones?

Gotham by Susan Dyer Reynolds • 117 implied HN points • 03 Jul 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Contracts
  1. Dwayne Jones has been notably absent from the corruption trial of former SFPUC boss Harlan Kelly due to his involvement in Community Benefits programs.
  2. Jones has a history of questionable actions, including involvement in bid rigging scandals, connections to multiple mayors, and receiving millions in contracts.
  3. Despite scrutiny and controversies, Jones continues to receive lucrative contracts from agencies like SFPUC and the San Francisco Port Commission.

Electric-Gas Interdependence: History and Transaction Cost Economics

Knowledge Problem • 117 implied HN points • 13 Jul 23
💰 Finance Contracts
  1. The interdependence between electric systems and natural gas systems has been highlighted during severe winter storms.
  2. Over the past century, the objectives for electric service have evolved to include resilience, decarbonization, and reliance on natural gas.
  3. Transaction cost economics can help understand the challenges in coordinating reliable input supply between the electric and gas industries.

Better call ChatGPT

The Jolly Contrarian • 39 implied HN points • 09 Feb 24
💼 Business Contracts
  1. The study compared human legal reviewers with large language models, showing that machines performed better overall.
  2. Experienced lawyers had the least agreement on what was important in contracts, showcasing the importance of human judgment in legal analysis.
  3. Utilizing large language models may lead to efficiency gains but also introduces complexities and potential risks in legal processes.
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Dominant Assurance Contract Experiment #2: Berkeley House Dinners

Arjun Panickssery • 78 implied HN points • 05 Jul 23
💼 Business Contracts
  1. The writer experimented with a Dominant Assurance Contract, but didn't reach the required number of funders and lost money.
  2. The writer is trying a real-world Dominant Assurance Contract for hosting weekly dinners, where participants can pay to attend.
  3. Participants in the dinner contract can pay at least $20, with the writer hosting the dinners if $700 is raised, or providing a partial refund if the target is not met.

Brief: Google received cloud contract supporting U.S. Special Operations Forces

All-Source Intelligence Fusion • 223 implied HN points • 18 Mar 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Contracts
  1. Google received a cloud contract to support U.S. Special Operations Forces as part of a $9 billion program run by the Pentagon, along with Microsoft, Oracle, and Amazon.
  2. The U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM) with roughly 60,000 personnel works closely with elite units for direct action missions and core activities like counter-insurgency operations.
  3. The cloud computing contracts are seen as linking the CIA's cloud contract and the Pentagon's JWCC initiative, suggesting a bridge between intelligence and military operations.

How A 20-Year Relationship Ended Up Sending Luka Doncic To The Lakers

Huddle Up • 68 implied HN points • 02 Feb 25
🎾 Sports Contracts
  1. Luka Doncic was traded to the Lakers in a huge NBA deal that also involved Anthony Davis. This trade is considered one of the biggest trade moves in basketball history.
  2. The trade will cost Doncic over $100 million because he is moving from Texas, a low-tax state, to California, which has high taxes. He also misses out on a chance for a larger contract in Los Angeles.
  3. The story behind the trade is fascinating, involving long-term relationships, a month of negotiations, and key players from the business side of basketball, including agents and billionaires.

About that ISDA Pt 4(a): The qualities of a good ISDA

The Jolly Contrarian • 19 implied HN points • 24 Feb 24
💼 Business Contracts
  1. A good ISDA contract should have qualities like fairness, confidence, clarity, consistency, and simplicity.
  2. Fairness in negotiations is crucial as it fosters trust, strengthens relationships, and aligns interests between parties.
  3. Business relationships often prioritize maintaining trust and goodwill over strict adherence to contract terms, as it is more beneficial in the long run.

Why ESPN ended its 35-year relationship with Major League Baseball

Huddle Up • 46 implied HN points • 21 Feb 25
🎾 Sports Contracts
  1. ESPN ended its long 35-year partnership with Major League Baseball. This change will affect how baseball is broadcasted on national TV.
  2. Both ESPN and MLB decided to part ways after a significant relationship that spanned multiple generations of fans.
  3. ESPN will continue to air MLB games for the remainder of the current season before officially ending their agreement.

Discretion and absolution

The Jolly Contrarian • 39 implied HN points • 30 Sep 23
📖 Philosophy Contracts
  1. Discretion is about freedom, choice, individuality, and happiness, but often made to seem complex by lawyers.
  2. Absolute discretion means you either have it or you don't, while reasonable discretion is bound by obligations like acting in good faith.
  3. Having an absolute discretion where a reasonable one would suffice can lead to unnecessary complications and inefficiencies in business relationships.

How Should Authors Navigate AI and Publishing Contracts?

Notes from a Small Press • 16 implied HN points • 04 Aug 25
📚 Literature Contracts
  1. Authors should carefully read their publishing contracts to understand who holds the copyright. Most often, authors keep the copyright but grant publishing rights to the publisher.
  2. When it comes to AI and training sets, contracts may not clearly state the rights regarding the use of an author's work, leading to confusion. Authors might have options to opt out of having their work used in AI training.
  3. The publishing landscape is complicated due to ongoing legal issues and AI's increasing role in content creation. Authors need to stay informed and consider how these changes might affect their rights and income.

Juan Soto's $765 Million Contract Is A Bad Deal (But Steve Cohen Doesn't Care)

Huddle Up • 46 implied HN points • 11 Dec 24
🎾 Sports Contracts
  1. Juan Soto's $765 million contract is seen as a bad deal due to the risks involved. It raises questions about long-term investments in sports players.
  2. The high value of Soto's contract can create pressure for him to perform consistently. This could impact his performance and overall career.
  3. Steve Cohen, the owner of the New York Mets, doesn't seem to mind the potential downsides of the deal and is willing to invest heavily. This shows a willingness to take risks for big talent.

The proposal that got me my $100/hour contract

Technology Made Simple • 59 implied HN points • 20 Aug 22
💼 Business Contracts
  1. Craft proposals that are specific to your target audience to make them more appealing. Highlight how your ideas can add value.
  2. When negotiating, consider incorporating both positive and negative aspects ("the carrot and the stick") to emphasize the benefits of your proposal.
  3. Take your time when developing proposals; rushing can lead to missed opportunities. Building strong foundations is key to achieving better results.

Is Tom Brady Worth $375 Million To Fox?

Huddle Up • 29 implied HN points • 10 Feb 25
🎾 Sports Contracts
  1. Tom Brady recently finished his first season as a broadcaster in the NFL. His debut was closely watched as he announced some big games.
  2. His broadcasting contract with Fox is worth $375 million, which raises the question if he will bring in that amount in value.
  3. The TV ratings and viewership numbers from his broadcasts will be important to determine his impact and worth to the network.

Both a borrower and a lender being?

The Jolly Contrarian • 19 implied HN points • 17 Jun 23
💰 Finance Contracts
  1. Debt securities involve complex processes with multiple bureaucratic steps before they are issued in the market.
  2. If an issuer holds their own promissory note, the debt might be considered non-existent due to the concept of merger.
  3. Bearer instruments lack a history, leading to unique challenges in determining debt continuity and the involvement of clearing systems adds layers of complexity to debt transactions.

How Bill Belichick's UNC Contract Came Together (And Why it May Actually Work)

Huddle Up • 26 implied HN points • 12 Dec 24
🎾 Sports Contracts
  1. Bill Belichick is returning to coaching as the head coach for the University of North Carolina after leaving the NFL. It's a big move for him as he transitions from professional to college football.
  2. He presented UNC with a detailed 400-page plan for running the football program, showing he has a clear vision and strategy. This plan includes specifics like salary minimums and staffing.
  3. The school plans to invest significantly in NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) money, which indicates a serious commitment to building a competitive program under Belichick's leadership.

Worst reasonable efforts

The Jolly Contrarian • 2 HN points • 14 Jun 24
💼 Business Contracts
  1. The concept of 'worst reasonable efforts' is a satirical take on the idea of performing at the minimal acceptable level in contracts and agreements.
  2. Many organizations, such as for-profit insurers, airlines, and rental companies, often operate on the premise of providing 'worst reasonable efforts' to customers.
  3. The prevalence of 'worst reasonable efforts' in modern society highlights the sacrifice of quality for scale and the acceptance of mediocrity in various aspects of life.

How Scott Boras Became The Most Powerful Agent In Sports

Huddle Up • 22 implied HN points • 11 Nov 24
🎾 Sports Contracts
  1. Scott Boras is known as the most powerful sports agent in the industry. He has a reputation for making big deals for his clients.
  2. Juan Soto's decision to turn down a massive $440 million contract surprised many. People thought it was a risky move for a young player.
  3. Negotiating big contracts in sports is complex. It's about more than just money; it's about career strategy and future opportunities.

Is Stephen A. Smith Worth $100 Million To ESPN?

Huddle Up • 19 implied HN points • 06 Dec 24
🎾 Sports Contracts
  1. Stephen A. Smith is close to signing a groundbreaking contract with ESPN worth over $100 million. This will make him the highest-paid talent in the network's history.
  2. His deal is significant because it reflects his popularity and influence in sports media, especially with the success of his show 'First Take.'
  3. The structure of Smith’s contract may include details that justify the high cost for ESPN, despite concerns about how much viewers value sports talk shows compared to live sports.

Pentagon certified Palantir as only supplier for artificial intelligence targeting tool known as "Maven Smart System"

All-Source Intelligence Fusion • 40 implied HN points • 13 May 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Contracts
  1. Pentagon certified Palantir as the sole supplier for an AI targeting tool called 'Maven Smart System'.
  2. Palantir's work on the Pentagon's Project Maven involves AI surveillance and targeting.
  3. Project Maven has transitioned to the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency with Palantir as the main contractor.

The Bears New Stadium Deal Offers More Questions Than Answers + Thoughts On Deion Sanders, Jay Monahan, Russell Wilson, and Nick Saban

Huddle Up • 20 implied HN points • 13 Mar 24
🎾 Sports Contracts
  1. Deion Sanders' coaching at Colorado led to a significant increase in applicants, showcasing the Flutie Effect where athletic success boosts academic interest.
  2. PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan's lack of communication and handling of the LIV Golf-PGA Tour merger raised concerns among players and media.
  3. NFL free agency deals often involve intricate negotiations, with insiders getting details from agents and shaping the narrative of the contracts.

Trusted Disclosure Agreement

Charles Eisenstein • 5 implied HN points • 30 Jan 25
📖 Philosophy Contracts
  1. NDAs can feel distrustful because they imply that someone doesn't trust you with their information. Instead of relying on legal threats, we should focus on building mutual trust.
  2. A Trusted Disclosure Agreement can create a stronger bond based on respect and understanding, allowing for a more positive collaboration without the fear of legal consequences.
  3. Community involvement in agreements is important. Signing in front of others can help reinforce commitment and accountability, encouraging people to honor their word.

Contracts Can Be Weird

Economic Forces • 2 implied HN points • 21 Sep 23
💼 Business Contracts
  1. Contracts can have odd provisions that may not follow basic economic theories.
  2. Investments in specific areas can lead to complications in sharing benefits.
  3. Contracts may include solutions like first rights of refusal to address uncertainty in payoffs and market value.

Does Canada's "Integrity Regime" actually work?

Michelle Rempel Garner • 0 implied HN points • 16 Feb 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Contracts
  1. Canada's Integrity Regime is meant to prevent companies with unethical behavior from receiving government contracts.
  2. Recent events show that there are concerns about the effectiveness of the Integrity Regime in practice.
  3. A strong Integrity Regime is important to prevent political interference, promote good corporate behavior, and ensure ethical standards for contractors.

Pitch me: How to make sure your startup wins at investor relations & contracts

The Green Techpreneur • 0 implied HN points • 15 Mar 24
💼 Business Contracts
  1. Investor-founder relationship is evolving as VC funds grow in the cleantech sector, emphasizing constructive relationships to drive companies forward and manage risks.
  2. Pre-agreed partnership contracts help clarify terms and expectations between investors and founders, gearing towards strategic support beyond funding.
  3. Successful investor-founder relationships involve mapping startup capabilities with investor strengths, focusing on targeted growth areas rather than trying to please too many customers.

Contracts Under Coercion

Waiting Room • 0 implied HN points • 06 Apr 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Contracts
  1. Debt in medical education can lead to modern forms of coercion and impact physicians' well-being.
  2. Physicians face challenges in navigating complex employment contracts and should review them holistically.
  3. Unionization, financial empowerment, and tuition-free models are potential solutions to address physician debt and empower medical professionals.

About that ISDA: Pt 2: Bilaterality

The Jolly Contrarian • 0 implied HN points • 02 Feb 24
💰 Finance Contracts
  1. The ISDA Master Agreement uses unique labels like 'Party A' and 'Party B' for swap participants instead of traditional labels like 'Lender' and 'Borrower'. This creates a more equal and symmetrical dynamic between the counterparties.
  2. The concept of bilaterality in the ISDA Agreement emphasizes fairness and equality in the swap trading relationship. It ensures that both parties are seen as equals rather than having a dominance-subservience dynamic.
  3. While 'Party A' and 'Party B' labels may seem generic, they play a crucial role in specifying roles and obligations within the agreement. Despite the equality, these distinctions are necessary for clarity and accountability in the trading relationship.

About that ISDA: Pt 1: Three aims of an ISDA

The Jolly Contrarian • 0 implied HN points • 24 Jan 24
💼 Business Contracts
  1. Understanding the ISDA Master Agreement is important for trading swaps and managing risks in the financial market.
  2. The ISDA Master Agreement serves as a relationship contract, a credit risk management tool, and a capital optimization tool for counterparties in derivative transactions.
  3. Over time, the ISDA has grown from a simple means of expediting trades to a complex bureaucratic process, but its core importance remains in facilitating OTC derivative transactions.

Attention Freelancers! How to spot a client red flag 🚩

The Open Source Expert • 0 implied HN points • 14 Jul 24
💼 Business Contracts
  1. Look out for clients who can't clearly tell you what they want. If they keep changing their mind or seem confused, it could be a sign of trouble.
  2. Be cautious of clients who expect free work or make promises about future jobs that never happen. It's usually better to get a commitment upfront.
  3. Always have a retainer agreement in place. This helps set clear expectations and protects you if things go wrong.

The Yankee infield and debt...

Musings on Markets • 0 implied HN points • 11 Mar 09
🎾 Sports Contracts
  1. The Yankees have very high player salaries, which act like debt commitments. This means their financial situation looks worse than it might seem at first.
  2. If someone buys the Yankees, they are essentially taking on more than just the franchise price because they will also inherit the player contracts.
  3. Teams with long-term financial commitments should be careful about taking on more debt, as it can lead to financial troubles, similar to what happens in industries like airlines.

Google received another half million from the Pentagon to process aerial imagery

All-Source Intelligence Fusion • 0 implied HN points • 16 Aug 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Contracts
  1. Google received an additional half million dollars from the Pentagon for processing aerial imagery.
  2. The contracts between Google and the Pentagon involve controversial mechanisms that bypass bureaucratic hurdles.
  3. Google's involvement in defense contracts has connections to high-level individuals like former Google CEO Eric Schmidt.