Bobby Bonilla’s infamous contract is up for auction, but no, you won’t also get an annual $1.19 million payday
It really belongs in Cooperstown
Bobby Bonilla, the patron saint of getting paid to do nothing, has one of the greatest contracts in baseball history.
Thanks to a horrible bet by the New York Mets’ front office, and the Wilpons severely misplaced trust in Bernie Madoff, every July 1 Bonilla collects a paycheck of $1,193,248.00 despite having officially retired in 2001. He’ll continue to receive those checks every year through 2036—when he’s 73 years old.
Well, now one lucky—and wealthy—Bobby Bonilla fan can own a piece of infamous baseball history: the contract agreement that created Bobby Bonilla Day.
Goldin Auctions is listing a copy of the contract as part of a complete Bonilla experience with bidding set to open at $10,000.
Here’s the lot description:
Presented is a “Bobby Bonilla Day” experience, which is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to spend the day with the one and only Bobby Bonilla. The winner will get Bonilla’s copy of the iconic 6-page “Deferred Compensation Agreement” that was signed by Bonilla and Joe McIlvaine, who was the Executive Vice President, Baseball Operations of the New York Mets when this agreement was executed. This contract has been authenticated by Beckett Authentication, who is issuing a LOA. The winner will also go to breakfast with him, head to Citi Field for a New York Mets game, where you will watch batting practice on the field with Bobby, and enjoy the game with him, and cap off your day with dinner. This will all take place at a future date in 2023.
The winner will also receive:
A 30-minute Zoom call with Bobby Bonilla A 30-minute Zoom call with Dennis Gilbert (the agent who brokered Bonilla’s deferment deal) A signed baseball from Bobby Bonilla’s personal collection A game-used bat from Bobby Bonilla’s personal collection Bobby Bonilla NFT.
It’s unclear exactly what Dennis Gilbert is going to talk about for 30 minutes, but he did formerly represent Barry Bonds, George Brett and Jose Canseco, so maybe he’s got some good stories to share.
Let the bidding begin!