Bonilla Day: How a $1.19M check became Mets legend
Since 2011, the Mets have sent Bobby Bonilla a $1.19M check every July 1—part of a 2000 deferred deal that runs through 2035. Here’s how it turned a financial blunder into a beloved tradition.
19 million check on July 1, 2024—just like they have every July 1 since 2011. 9 million. 19 million.
The first payment arrived in 2011, after a decade-long deferral period, and the final one is scheduled for 2035. The structure was designed to spread the cash flow and manage payroll flexibility, but the 8% interest rate—far above typical market returns at the time—turned the obligation into a bargain for Bonilla and a curiosity for fans. What started as a financial workaround has become a Mets tradition known as Bonilla Day.
