vadim sharifijanov
Registered User
- Oct 10, 2007
- 28,844
- 16,335
not sure if this clears anythign up —
Team athletes, however, are covered by multiple policies. Leagues such as the NBA and the NHL have plans that blanket many of their players. For a league like the NHL, where injuries are prolific, this tactic is smart. These types of policies are based on a modest percentage of the players’ salaries. The NBA’s policy is only obligatory for a team’s top five players, essentially the starting line-up.
Insurance for professional athletes has to do as much with financial losses for a club as it does with physical pain endured for an injury. Policies typically won’t kick in until an athlete has been unavailable for at least a few months. Athletes sidelined for an entire season (think: Peyton Manning) cost their teams and insurers millions of dollars.
However, because athletes of the highest caliber carry private insurance, they themselves are covering their medical expenses and covering potential income losses. After Manning’s neck surgery, the Denver Broncos guaranteed the first two years of his contract; after that, his salary could have been voided if he hurt his neck again.
Now that Manning is retired, he is likely paying a disability policy. He famously stated that he expects to have debilitating medical problems as he ages, simply because of his playing days. Should the NFL or the Broncos pay for his treatment? As with any other employer-employee relationship, it can be argued that Manning is now responsible for his own medical care. With the continued research into post-career injuries, the responsibility for covering them will likely evolve.
football doesn't have guaranteed contracts afaict, so it might be a whole different ballgame, pun not intended
Team athletes, however, are covered by multiple policies. Leagues such as the NBA and the NHL have plans that blanket many of their players. For a league like the NHL, where injuries are prolific, this tactic is smart. These types of policies are based on a modest percentage of the players’ salaries. The NBA’s policy is only obligatory for a team’s top five players, essentially the starting line-up.
Insurance for professional athletes has to do as much with financial losses for a club as it does with physical pain endured for an injury. Policies typically won’t kick in until an athlete has been unavailable for at least a few months. Athletes sidelined for an entire season (think: Peyton Manning) cost their teams and insurers millions of dollars.
However, because athletes of the highest caliber carry private insurance, they themselves are covering their medical expenses and covering potential income losses. After Manning’s neck surgery, the Denver Broncos guaranteed the first two years of his contract; after that, his salary could have been voided if he hurt his neck again.
Now that Manning is retired, he is likely paying a disability policy. He famously stated that he expects to have debilitating medical problems as he ages, simply because of his playing days. Should the NFL or the Broncos pay for his treatment? As with any other employer-employee relationship, it can be argued that Manning is now responsible for his own medical care. With the continued research into post-career injuries, the responsibility for covering them will likely evolve.
football doesn't have guaranteed contracts afaict, so it might be a whole different ballgame, pun not intended
