Boomer Esiason’s foundation gives millions of dollars to fund cystic-fibrosis research — but the former Jet quarterback also uses it to cover his own health care.
Esiason and wife Cheryl each get $10,000 in annual salary from the multimillion-dollar charity — a token amount that allows them to be covered by the charity’s health insurance and life and disability insurance, the foundation admitted. The salary and benefits for the couple amounted to $66,467 a year, according to the charity’s most recent tax return.
The 2010 return showed the couple each worked 30 hours a week for the charity although Boomer already has three other jobs — as host of the daily “Boomer & Carton” radio show on WFAN, TV analyst for “The NFL Today on CBS” and radio commentator for “Monday Night Football.”
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Esiason’s earnings from his playing days, including endorsement deals, were a reported $24 million.
The Boomer Esiason Foundation was founded in 1994 after his son was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis. In addition to funding research, the group raises awareness about the disease and gives grants to patients.
A foundation spokeswoman said the Esiasons donate their salaries back to the group, but she couldn’t say why Boomer didn’t pay for the benefits on his own.