The National Football League controls the performance-based pay for professional football players. For example, Tom Brady received $14,102.25. His annual salary is $20 million, so he may not have noticed when this hit his checking account. Since the way team members function as a group is as important to the team's success as the individual effort, the NFL performance payThe National Football League controls the performance-based pay for professional football players. For example, Tom Brady received $14,102.25. His annual salary is $20 million, so he may not have noticed when this hit his checking account. Since the way team members function as a group is as important to the team's success as the individual effort, the NFL performance pay:.