76ers and Simmons Reach Settlement Over Withheld Pay

Ben Simmons with the Philadelphia 76ers in 2018
Ben Simmons with the Philadelphia 76ers in 2018. Photo by Martin Cole/ProSports/REX/Shutterstock (9315093ad)

The Brooklyn Nets guard Ben Simmons has reached a settlement with his former team, the Philadelphia 76ers, over a grievance that the player filed in pursuit of the nearly $20 million the team withheld from him due to his failure to play games during the 2021-22 season. The exact sum of the settlement remains undisclosed as both parties agreed to confidentiality.

Upon arriving at the 76ers during last year’s preseason, Simmons’ participation in training, as well as games, was limited, with the player citing his mental health as the reason for his frequent absence. He and the 76ers management disagreed over the extent to which the team’s doctors would have access to Simmons in order to diagnose and help support his mental health.

Following a season of tension between team and player, Simmons and his agent, Rich Paul of Klutch Sports, requested a trade during the postseason. This came after the All-Star had a fallout with the team following a disappointing performance during the 76ers’ Eastern Conference finals loss to the Atlanta Hawks.

Following the trade request, the 76ers insisted that Simmons was in breach of his contract due to his failure to show up for training camp and active refusal to play during both the preseason and regular season. Simmons and the National Basketball Players Association filed a grievance against the 76ers in April, with the parties ultimately entering the arbitration process which led to the settlement before judgment could be handed down.

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