The Price of Greatness: The Top 10 Biggest Contracts in Sports History
The world of professional sports is no stranger to eye-watering salaries, but some contracts reach truly astronomical heights, shattering records and capturing the public’s imagination. These mega-deals reflect not just incredible athletic talent, but also savvy business acumen and the immense marketing power of global sports icons.
This year, Japanese baseball sensation Shohei Ohtani inked the richest deal in sports history, a staggering $700 million contract with the Los Angeles Angels. This jaw-dropping figure translates to a cool $70 million per year, solidifying Ohtani’s position as the highest-paid athlete on the planet.
Ohtani’s record-breaking contract highlights a larger trend: baseball’s dominance in the realm of mega-deals. In fact, Major League Baseball boasts the highest average player salary of any major sports league in the world, clocking in at approximately $4.41 million in 2023, according to the Associated Press. This financial muscle is evident in the sheer number of baseball players who grace the list of the top 50 highest-paid athletes, including names like Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees, who commands a hefty $40 million annually.
While baseball might reign supreme in terms of overall earnings, other sports boast their own financial heavyweights. In 2018, boxing legend Canelo Alvarez signed a groundbreaking $365 million deal, guaranteeing him $73 million per year until 2023. This landmark contract underscored Alvarez’s status as one of the most bankable stars in boxing history.
Football, with its global reach and passionate fanbase, is another hotbed for lucrative contracts. Superstars like Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Karim Benzema have consistently ranked among the highest-paid athletes, their salaries bolstered by lucrative endorsement deals and global recognition.
Let’s take a closer look at the top 10 biggest contracts in sports history, a testament to the extraordinary earning potential of the world’s most elite athletes:
10. Manny Machado (Baseball, San Diego Padres): In 2023, Machado signed a massive 11-year, $350 million contract extension with the Padres, solidifying his place as one of baseball’s highest-paid players. This deal will see him earn an average of $32 million per year through 2033.
9. Aaron Judge (Baseball, New York Yankees): Judge’s return to the Bronx came with a hefty price tag. In 2023, he signed a nine-year, $360 million contract, making him one of the highest-paid players in MLB history. This deal will see him earn an average of $40 million per year through 2031.
8. Mookie Betts (Baseball, Los Angeles Dodgers): In 2020, Betts inked a 12-year, $365 million contract extension with the Dodgers, securing his future in Los Angeles. This deal will see him earn an average of just over $30 million per year through 2032.
7. Canelo Alvarez (Boxing): As previously mentioned, Alvarez’s 2018 deal with DAZN was a game-changer, guaranteeing him $365 million over five years. This landmark contract solidified his position as one of the highest-paid athletes in the world.
(Note: The original article only listed 7 athletes. To provide a more comprehensive list, additional research is needed to identify and rank the remaining top contracts in sports history.)
These staggering figures offer a glimpse into the extraordinary financial landscape of professional sports, where talent, marketability, and global appeal converge to create a league of extraordinary earners. As the business of sports continues to evolve, we can expect to see even more record-breaking contracts in the years to come.
The $700 Million Swing: Unveiling the Biggest Contracts in Sports History
Professional athletes are renowned for their lucrative salaries, but some contracts reach astronomical heights, etching their names in the record books of sports history. Let’s dive into the world of mega-deals and meet the athletes who command these jaw-dropping figures.
The Reign of Baseball: A Home Run for Massive Contracts
Dominating the top spots are baseball stars, showcasing the sport’s immense popularity and financial prowess. Leading the pack is Japanese sensation Shohei Ohtani, a two-way phenom who signed a record-breaking $700 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2023. This deal, averaging a cool $70 million per year through 2033, underscores Ohtani’s exceptional talent and marketability.
Ohtani isn’t alone in the big leagues of baseball contracts. New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge inked a $360 million deal in 2023, securing his future with the Bronx Bombers through 2034. This contract, paying Judge a hefty $40 million annually, reflects his status as one of baseball’s premier power hitters.
Beyond the Diamond: Football and Boxing Make Their Mark
While baseball reigns supreme, football and boxing boast their fair share of mega-contracts. In a move that sent shockwaves through the soccer world, Cristiano Ronaldo signed a groundbreaking $214.5 million per year deal with Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr in December 2022. This agreement, extending through 2025, cemented Ronaldo’s position as one of the highest-paid athletes of all time.
Not to be outdone, boxing legend Canelo Alvarez landed a $365 million contract in 2018, spanning five years and averaging a staggering $73 million annually. This deal, a testament to Alvarez’s dominance in the ring, solidified his place among boxing’s highest earners.
The Top 10: A Glimpse into Sports’ Financial Stratosphere
Here’s a closer look at the top 10 most lucrative sports contracts in history:
- Shohei Ohtani (Baseball, Los Angeles Dodgers): $700 million over 10 years ($70 million per year)
- Lionel Messi (Soccer, Barcelona): $674 million over 4 years ($168.5 million per year)
- Cristiano Ronaldo (Soccer, Al Nassr): $214.5 million per year
- Patrick Mahomes (American Football, Kansas City Chiefs): $450 million over 10 years ($45 million per year)
- Karim Benzema (Soccer, Al-Ittihad): $223.65 million over 2 years ($111.8 million per year)
- Mike Trout (Baseball, Los Angeles Angels): $426.5 million over 11 years ($38.7 million per year)
- Canelo Alvarez (Boxing): $365 million over 5 years ($73 million per year)
- Mookie Betts (Baseball, Los Angeles Dodgers): $365 million over 12 years ($30.4 million per year)
- Aaron Judge (Baseball, New York Yankees): $360 million over 9 years ($40 million per year)
- Manny Machado (Baseball, San Diego Padres): $350 million over 11 years ($31.8 million per year)
These staggering figures highlight the immense value placed on elite athletic talent and the global appeal of professional sports. As the business of sports continues to evolve, we can expect to see even more record-breaking contracts in the years to come.
