But before he was to report to the Giants the Brooklyn Tip-Tops of the Federal League offered to pay him more and he signed with them. This caused quite a stir in New York with threats of injunctions between the two teams.
Before making his move to the Giants, the Brooklyn Tip-Tops of the Federal League made him an attractive offer, which ultimately led him to switch sides. As a result, there was considerable unrest in New York, with both teams warning each other of potential legal action.