NEW YORK – Alex Rodriguez and the Yankees settled their dispute over a marketing payment with a deal that gives $3.5 million to charitable groups, saves the team $5.5 million and gets A-Rod the home run ball from his 3,000th hit.
Rodriguez's contract called for $6 million each for up to five milestone accomplishments in exchange for marketing rights, such as using A-Rod's name and image in selling licensed goods.
Under the deal, the Yankees will split $1 million among the Special Operations Warrior Foundation, the Boys & Girls Club of Tampa and Pitch In For Baseball.
Zach Hample, the fan who retrieved Rodriguez's 3,000th hit, supports Pitch In For Baseball, which says its mission is to assist children around the world via baseball. The charity will get $150,000.
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