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Bobby Bonilla Day: A Sports Tradition Like No Other
Why the 6x MLB All-Star still receives an annual $1M from the New York Mets ⚾️
Sideline Sports Law
July 03, 2025
A yearly tradition like no other.
July 1: Bobby Bonilla Day. Doesn’t matter if you’re a Mets fan, or even a baseball fan, the sports world gathers in unity to celebrate a payment rooted in deferred compensation and contract law.
We’ll break down the Malik Beasley federal investigation next week.
Today we’re keeping the vibes short and sweet.
Here’s the history behind Bobby Bonilla Day:
What Happens On July 1
On Tuesday, the NY Mets paid 62-year-old Bobby Bonilla $1,193,248.20. Payments began on July 1, 2011 and will continue until 2035.
Why?
In 2000, the Mets agreed to buy out the final amount of Bonilla’s contract: $5.9 million.
Instead of providing him with $5.9M in 2000, the Mets agreed to the following:
No compensation in 2000
$1.19M every year from 2011 to 2035
Total payout of $29.8M, including a negotiated 8% interest