What happened: Bobby Bonilla is set to collect $1.193 million from the New York Mets on July 1, part of the deferred-compensation arrangement that pays him the same sum every year. The payout, tied to a buyout of his contract more than two decades ago, has become an annual summer tradition.

Why it matters: The recurring Bonilla payment remains the most famous example of deferred money in sports, a reminder of how creatively structured contracts can outlast a player's career by decades. It continues to shape how front offices and fans think about long-term financial commitments.

What to watch: The next installment arrives July 1, 2027, with the arrangement set to continue annually until it concludes in 2035.