When Bobby Bonilla signed his initial deal with the New York Mets back in 1991, it was the largest contract of its kind. According to News10, the contract was a five-year, $29 million contract. Adjusted for inflation, that means Bonilla signed the equivalent of a deal worth nearly $64 million in 2022.

But it wasn’t the initial signing that made Bonilla a wise businessman. Rather, it was what happened after the initial contract signing that made him a millionaire several times over — even after he retired from the diamond.

“In 2000, the Mets agreed to buy out the remaining $5.9 million on Bonilla’s contract,” reports ESPN. “However, instead of paying Bonilla the $5.9 million at the time, the Mets agreed to make annual payments of nearly $1.2 million for 25 years starting July 1, 2011, including a negotiated 8% interest.”

You know what tomorrow is. We have a BIG announcement. 😉 pic.twitter.com/LZ1HZc31Vm

— New York Mets (@Mets) June 30, 2021

So everyone understands what that means:

The total that Bobby Bonilla will ultimately receive from this agreement is $30 million.
The last check will arrive in 2035 when Bonilla will be 72-years-old.
Per ESPN, he also has a different deferred payment contract with the Mets and the Orioles, wherein he receives an additional $500,000 a year until 2029 (the initial contract began in 2004, and it is due to last for 25 years).

Bobby Bonilla

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