NBA, Tony Snell chasing his last contract. For retirement

Have you ever wondered how an athlete’s pension works after leaving professional sport? The rules change from country to country and from league to league, but in some cases there is a system that guarantees players a monthly salary even after retirement. This is the case of the American leagues, and in particular the NBA, which provides a series of benefits for those who have played in the league for a specific number of years. Tony Snell, former winger for the Bulls and Bucks among others, knows this well, today in the G-League but with the dream of returning to play among the 30 most famous franchises in world basketball. For pride, of course, but also to guarantee access to “premium” treatment after the end of his career.

THE NBA PENSION

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It seems strange to say, but despite playing in a league that is based on million-dollar contracts, securing a parachute is a legitimate concern. Certainly, as mentioned, it is for Tony Snell and his family. Born in ’91, Snell entered the NBA in 2013 as the 20th pick in the draft thanks to the Chicago Bulls; from 2022, however, he will not find space in the league, and was thus forced after 9 years to fall back towards the G-League, the development league which includes young promises and veterans. Here, Snell plays with the Maine Celtics, but he doesn’t stop hoping to return to the league: obtaining a contract by Friday would guarantee him to add a tenth season as an NBA player to his CV, thus exceeding the minimum threshold to obtain a better pension and not Alone. The terms of the post-retirement benefits system for NBA players are defined by an agreement between the league itself and the NBPA, i.e. the players’ association. The minimum necessary to be able to enter the program is 3 years of militancy in the league; Once you reach 10 years in the league, however, you get even more benefits, including lifetime medical insurance for yourself and your family.

THE SNELL FAMILY

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Clearly I want to come back to play, but now I also have a much more important goal,” Snell told Yahoo Sports about his hope of being able to play a tenth season in the NBA. “It’s something I need, not just for me, but for my wife and my children.” Kenzo and Karter, that’s the name of the two children Tony had with his wife Ashley; both were diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder that changed the basketball player’s life. In every sense: following the diagnosis of his firstborn, Snell himself underwent the necessary tests, discovering in turn an autism spectrum disorder. In fact, he himself says that he has always felt “different from others” since childhood. “I couldn’t find ways to relate to others. If I had friends it was only thanks to basketball.” The diagnosis – which he described as “a relief” – did not stop him from continuing to play basketball at the highest levels. And now he wants to try again: it will also depend on the 30 NBA franchises. Will he get a contract in time?