Abstract
PurposeTo quantify the financial impact of an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury on the remaining career earnings of National Basketball Association (NBA) players.MethodsWe performed a retrospective review of all NBA players who had an ACL rupture between 2000 and 2019. Players were matched to healthy controls by age, position, body mass index, and player efficiency rating at the time of injury (index year). Player information collected included demographic information, position, team role, draft pick, date of injury, contract length, and earnings during the 3 years before and 7 years after the index year, as well as new contract length and earnings after injury.ResultsA total of 12 players (22%) did not return to play (RTP). No statistically significant difference in annual earnings was present at any time point between cohorts. When we examined the mean difference in earnings between the first 3 post-index seasons and the 3 pre-index seasons, both the ACL and control cohorts showed increased salaries as players’ careers progressed, without a significant difference in earnings. When comparing cohorts, we found no significant difference in the length and earnings of contracts during the index year. Furthermore, there was no significant difference in the length or earnings of the first new contract signed after the index year between cohorts. Additionally, NBA players who were able to RTP after ACL reconstruction were more likely to experience increased earnings if they had greater experience and performance prior to their injury (P < .01).ConclusionsOur study found that NBA players did not experience diminished earnings after RTP from an ACL reconstruction when compared with matched controls. Furthermore, no differences were seen in lengths of new contracts or in contract earnings between cohorts. Players with greater experience and performance prior to injury were more likely to have increased earnings after ACL reconstruction.Level of EvidenceLevel III, retrospective case-control study.
Highlights
Reconstruction were more likely to experience increased earnings if they had greater experience and performance prior to their injury (P < .01)
Our study found that National Basketball Association (NBA) players did not experience diminished earnings after return to play (RTP) from an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction when compared with matched controls
No differences were seen in lengths of new contracts or in contract earnings between cohorts
Summary
Reconstruction were more likely to experience increased earnings if they had greater experience and performance prior to their injury (P < .01). Players with greater experience and performance prior to injury were more likely to have increased earnings after ACL reconstruction. In light of the aforementioned literature, it is clear that RTP rates and performance in NBA players after ACL reconstruction have improved over the decades. It is unknown whether the success of ACL reconstruction in allowing athletes to return to high levels of competition is reflected in the value of the contracts these players earn. We hypothesized that a significant decrease in total career earnings would be seen for players with ACL injuries after RTP compared with healthy NBA athletes
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