Some may ask, what about George Russell Mercedes 2026? In recent months, there have been various predictions about who would drive for Mercedes in 2026, notably with thoughts of Max Verstappen maybe making a surprise transfer. But Russell isn’t worried. He believes he’s in frequent communication with the team, feels respected, and anticipates a decision before the summer break. Credit:(autoweek) Why George Russell Mercedes 2026 Seat Feels Secure George Russell is not just hoping—he is convinced that Mercedes will keep him. I am sure he has spent several years with the Mercedes family Starting as a young driver, he put in a lot of effort, gained experience, and gained acceptance into the main F1 team and he has had a steady and impressive journey. I know he earned his first Formula One event with Mercedes in 2022 because he demonstrated once more in 2024 that he is a top-tier talent by dominating the Canadian Grand Prix and securing pole position and given these outcomes, ...
It’s July 1, and for New York Mets fans, so that means it is Bobby Bonilla Day and even though Bobby Bonilla has retired from Major League Baseball more than 20 years ago, he still gets paid nearly $1.2 million every July 1 by the Mets. And this will continue until 2035. By the end of the deal, Bonilla will be 72 years old and will have earned about $29.8 million all from a clever contract negotiation back in 2000.
Credit:(cnn)
Why Does Bobby Bonilla Still Get Paid?
I know Bonilla last played for the New York Mets in 1999 and at the time, the team wanted to release him but still owed him $6 millions. Instead of paying him in full, the Mets made a deal to defer his payments. Bonilla's agent, Dennis Gilbert, negotiated the terms: the payments would begin in 2011, and the Mets would pay him every year until 2035 — with 8% annual interest.
This turned that $6 million into almost $30 million over time.
But why would the Mets agree to this?
The Bernie Madoff Connection
The Mets’ former owner, Fred Wilpon, believed he was earning big profits through his investments with Bernie Madoff. Wilpon thought that deferring Bonilla’s payment and investing that money with Madoff would lead to bigger returns.
What he didn’t know was that Madoff was running one of the biggest Ponzi schemes in history.
Instead of investing money legally, Madoff used funds from new investors to pay earlier ones — a classic scam. When it all fell apart, Wilpon and the Mets lost millions. But Bonilla’s contract? That was already locked in. So now, every July 1, the Mets are still paying him — while he’s long retired.
MLB's Trend of Deferred Contracts
Bobby Bonilla’s deal is famous, but he’s not alone.
In recent years many MLB teams have started offering deferred contracts to manage their payrolls better. The most known example is Shohei Ohtani. When he signed a 10-year, $700 million deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2023, he chose to defer $68 million a year and that's crazy. This means Ohtani will get only $2 million per season during the contract. The rest — a total of $680 million — will be paid out from 2034 to 2043.
The Dodgers also used deferred payments when signing other players like Blake Snell and Tommy Edman.
This strategy lets teams keep strong players while managing their budget. And for the players, it offers financial security for decades.
Where It All Began For Bobby Bonilla
Deferred payment plans have been around for a while. Back in the 1960s, accountant Ralph Dolgoff created what became known as "The Dolgoff Plan." It helped the American Basketball Association (ABA) compete with the NBA by allowing teams to offer long-term payment deals to attract players.
Today, it’s common in many sports.
But Bobby Bonilla remains the most famous case in baseball. His name trends every July 1, not for home runs — but for a check that keeps on coming.
To Sum Up Things
Bobby Bonilla Day has become an annual reminder of one of the most legendary contracts in MLB history. It’s a lesson in smart negotiation, risky investments, and how long-term planning can pay off — literally.
As long as deferred contracts continue, Bonilla may not be the last retired player cashing in every year. But he’ll always be the most talked-about.
If you have any questions about this visit our contact us page
Comments
Post a Comment