Do Athletes Get Paid When Suspended?

Professional athletes in America and across the globe are some of highest paid individuals in the world.  Typically paid tens of millions of dollars in a season and several hundreds of millions throughout their career, these athletes live some of the most luxurious and enviable lives.

However,  if an athlete is suspended from the league, whether temporarily or permanently, do they continue to get paid?  Below, we are going to review whether or not athletes get paid when suspended and if not, when does their regular pay commence.

Why do Some Athletes Get Suspended?

Across the four major professional American leagues, that is the NBA, the NFL, the MLB, and the NHL, there are a wide range of offenses which can lead to a player’s suspension.  And while there are some differences and specifics between the four major leagues, generally the rules surrounding a suspension are the same.

Some examples of reasons why an athlete may be suspended from the league they play in include the below:

• Doping
• The use of performance enhancing drugs
• Intentionally hitting or hurting a player during a game
• Getting into a physical fight with a teammate or member of the coaching staff
• Getting into trouble with the law
• Different forms of domestic abuse or violence
• Being involved in a gun fight
• Walking off the court during the middle of a game
• Entering the stands where the fans are seated
• Bringing a weapon to an arena
• Betting on the league
• Taking bribes

How Long do Athletes Get Suspended for?

Again, it is difficult to provide a fully accurate answer to how long do athletes get suspended for as each situation is unique and different.  However, most leagues will look at the severity of the infraction and whether or not the individual player had any prior offenses.

Overall, any action which places the league, its players, it support staff, and its fans in harm’s way is judged more severely and harshly than other offenses. Similarly, any action which goes against the principles and reputation of the league will also receive more harsh penalties.

For actions which are detrimental to the league, its image, its reputation, or its players, most suspensions can last an entire season.

However, for less severe infractions, typically those which do not cause severe reputational damage or those which do not cause bodily harm, then the suspension period will be much shorter.  For those infractions, an individual player can expect suspensions ranging from a few games to half the season.

Are Athletes Paid While Suspended?

In short, no, athletes are not paid while they are suspended.  As they are ineligible to play and perform for their specific team, the team has no obligation to pay them their salary.   As such, that salary will be forfeited and will be returned to the team coffers.

Similarly, as a form of punishment, athletes would be ineligible to be paid while suspended.  If an athlete is suspended, they will not receive any payment from either the league or their respective team.

When Can a Suspended Athlete Begin to Get Paid Again?

For an athlete suspended from the league, they are ineligible to receive payment until the suspension is either lifted or completed.  This means that a player suspended for an entire season will have to wait until the start of the following season to begin getting paid again.

However, in the case where a suspension is lifted or overturned, the athlete will be eligible to receive both backpay and any future earnings due to them.