Madden 2013: Lions Have More to Lose If Calvin Johnson Gets Nod over Cam Newton

There's much more at stake than just some high-profile face time when ESPN SportsNation reveals tomorrow who, between Cam Newton and Calvin Johnson, will grace the cover of Madden 2013.

The specter of the so-called Madden Curse will loom large over their respective teams as well, though the Detroit Lions figure to have a particularly nervous clutch on their pocketbooks when the announcement is made.

By "Madden Curse," I'm referring, of course, to the history of NFL stars who've seen their careers careen after associating with EA Sports' iconic video game franchise. Each of the last seven cover boys (including two in 2010) have suffered through injuries and/or poor on-field performance shortly after garnering the now-dubious honor.

Financially speaking, seeing such a decline in Megatron's game could cost the Lions dearly. The 2012 season will mark the beginning of Johnson's new eight-year, $150.5 million deal with Detroit. Signing Johnson to such a lucrative contract was a considerable risk for the Lions, given his history of nagging injuries, though his performance in 2011 (96 catches, 1,681 yards, 16 touchdowns) certainly merited a handsome reward.

Of course, a "Curse-related" malady would cast Megatron's millions in an entirely different light. His salary, while registering at a relatively-modest $8.95 million on Detroit's salary cap, would still be something of an impediment to a franchise looking to reach the playoffs in consecutive seasons for the first time since 1995.

That competitive improvement, too, is worth a hefty chunk of change to the Lions brass. According to Forbes, Detroit saw an uptick in per-game attendance of about 13 percent between 2010 and 2011. That additional revenue—from ticket sales, parking, concessions and merchandise—likely amounted to more than $5 million.

Not quite Megatron money, but not exactly chump change either. If Johnson gets hurt and the Lions suffer on the gridiron as a result, they could see that revenue disappear, along with whatever money they would've hoped to bring in had their attendance ballooned even more between last season and the one upcoming.

Surely, the Panthers have many of the same concerns with Cam Newton. He played an integral part in Carolina's jump from two wins to six during his rookie season, thereby making him the selling point for hope in Charlotte.

A Cover Curse injury could cost Carolina that next step up into postseason contention, especially since Newton's role as the Panthers quarterback is far more integral to his team's success than Johnson's role is to his. Less Cam means fewer wins, and fewer wins mean less in-stadium revenue.

But, from a salary standpoint, losing Newton is much more bearable. His rookie contract guarantees that he'll count just over $5 million against Carolina's cap, and should Cam encounter serious health concerns, he'll be owed about $18 million total over the final three years of his deal.

Which is less than Johnson will make in 2015 alone.

In any case, you can be that there are plenty of folks in both front offices who'd much rather have the other team's guy win the fan vote.

And still others who think the Madden Curse is a bunch of superstitious nonsense.

Follow @J0shMart1n