I don't konw why, but I recall hearing it's not allowed. I'm quite sure the Cardinals fans in your office pulled this straight from their collective asses. I'll fully admit to pulling this out of my arse, but they could mean he gets part ownership after he retires, not as part of his current contract. Kind of a buy now pay later unwritten agreement thing. I doubt it's a possibility, but that's probably what they meant. This was a rumor during the Kobe talks and I believe it's not allowed, at least not in the NBA. I can't imagine it would be allowed in MLB either.