List of largest sports contracts
This is a list of the largest sports contracts. These figures include signing bonuses but exclude options, buyouts, and endorsement deals. This list does not reflect the highest annual salaries or career earnings, only the top 100 largest contracts and thus is largely limited to athletes in team sports and auto racing. Athletes in individual sports, such as golf, tennis, table tennis, boxing, kickboxing, and MMA, are not employed by a team and usually earn money primarily through event winnings. This list also does not necessarily reflect actual money collected by the athletes since some contracts are eventually terminated (usually due to an athlete either retiring or invoking an opt-out clause). Alex Rodriguez, Stephen Strasburg, Manny Machado, Deshaun Watson, and Giannis Antetokounmpo are on the list two times each.
Entries in this list also require an individual citation of the contract, so a number of the highest salaried athletes (according to Forbes) are not included as their contract details have not been officially confirmed, including the likes of Tiger Woods, Roger Federer, and Lewis Hamilton. This also skews the list towards sports with salary caps where salaries are therefore public knowledge and easy to cite.
The contract figures referenced below are presented at face value and do not reflect potential pre or post-tax treatments. For example, contracts with European sports teams are typically quoted on a post-tax basis.
| Name | Organization | Sport | Length of contract | Contract value (USD) |
Average per year (USD) |
Average per game/event (USD) |
Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Juan Soto | New York Mets | Baseball | 15 years (2025–2039) | $765,000,000 | $51,000,000 | $314,814 | |
| Shohei Ohtani | Los Angeles Dodgers | 10 years (2024–2033) | $700,000,000 | $70,000,000 | $432,099 | ||
| Lionel Messi | Barcelona | Association football | 4 years (2017–2021) | $674,000,000 | $168,500,000 | $4,434,210 | |
| Cristiano Ronaldo | Al Nassr | 2.5 years (2023–2025) | $536,336,818 | $214,534,727 | $7,151,158 | ||
| Vladimir Guerrero Jr. | Toronto Blue Jays | Baseball | 14 years (2026–2039) | $500,000,000 | $35,714,285 | $220,458 | |
| Patrick Mahomes‡ | Kansas City Chiefs | American football | 10 years (2020–2031) | $450,000,000 | $45,000,000 | $2,465,686 | |
| Mike Trout | Los Angeles Angels | Baseball | 12 years (2019–2030) | $426,500,000 | $35,541,667 | $219,393 | |
| Canelo Álvarez | DAZN* | Boxing | 5 years (2018–2023) | $365,000,000 | $73,000,000 | $33,181,818 | |
| Mookie Betts | Los Angeles Dodgers | Baseball | 12 years (2021–2032) | $365,000,000 | $30,416,667 | $187,757 | |
| Aaron Judge | New York Yankees | 9 years (2023–2031) | $360,000,000 | $40,000,000 | $246,913 | ||
| Manny Machado | San Diego Padres | 11 years (2023–2034) | $350,000,000 | $31,818,818 | $196,409 | ||
| Francisco Lindor | New York Mets | 10 years (2022–2031) | $341,000,000 | $34,100,000 | $210,494 | ||
| Fernando Tatís Jr. | San Diego Padres | 14 years (2021–2034) | $340,000,000 | $24,285,714 | $149,912 | ||
| Max Verstappen | Red Bull Racing | Auto racing | 6 years (2023–2028) | $330,000,000 | $55,000,000 | $2,500,000 | |
| Bryce Harper | Philadelphia Phillies | Baseball | 13 years (2019–2031) | $330,000,000 | $25,384,615 | $156,695 | |
| Giancarlo Stanton | Miami Marlins* | 13 years (2015–2027) | $325,000,000 | $25,000,000 | $154,320 | ||
| Yoshinobu Yamamoto | Los Angeles Dodgers | 12 years (2024-2035) | $325,000,000 | $27,083,333 | $167,181 | ||
| Corey Seager | Texas Rangers | 10 years (2022–2031) | $325,000,000 | $32,500,000 | $200,617 | ||
| Gerrit Cole | New York Yankees | 9 years (2020–2028) | $324,000,000 | $36,000,000 | $222,222 | ||
| Jayson Tatum | Boston Celtics | Basketball | 5 years (2025–2030) | $314,000,000 | $62,800,000 | $765,853 | |
| Rafael Devers | Boston Red Sox | Baseball | 10 years (2024–2033) | $313,500,000 | $31,350,000 | $193,519 | |
| Jaylen Brown | Boston Celtics | Basketball | 5 years (2024–2029) | $303,734,891 | $60,746,978 | $740,816 | |
| Manny Machado | San Diego Padres | Baseball | 10 years (2019–2028) | $300,000,000 | $30,000,000 | $185,185 | |
| Trea Turner | Philadelphia Phillies | 11 years (2023–2033) | $300,000,000 | $27,272,727 | $168,350 | ||
| Bobby Witt Jr. | Kansas City Royals | 11 years (2024–2034) | $288,700,000 | $26,245,455 | $162,009 | ||
| Xander Bogaerts | San Diego Padres | 11 years (2023–2033) | $280,000,000 | $25,454,545 | $157,127 | ||
| Joe Burrow‡ | Cincinnati Bengals | American football | 5 years (2024–2029) | $275,000,000 | $55,000,000 | $3,235,294 | |
| Trevor Lawrence‡ | Jacksonville Jaguars | 5 years (2024–2029) | $275,000,000 | $55,000,000 | $3,235,294 | ||
| Alex RodriguezR | New York Yankees* | Baseball | 10 years (2008–2017) | $275,000,000 | $27,500,000 | $169,753 | |
| Brock Purdy‡ | San Francisco 49ers | American football | 5 years (2026-2030) | $265,000,000 | $53,000,000 | $3,117,647 | |
| Nikola Jokić | Denver Nuggets | Basketball | 5 years (2023–2028) | $264,000,000 | $52,800,000 | $643,902 | |
| Justin Herbert‡ | Los Angeles Chargers | American football | 5 years (2024–2029) | $262,500,000 | $52,500,000 | $3,088,235 | |
| Lamar Jackson‡ | Baltimore Ravens | 5 years (2023–2027) | $260,000,000 | $52,000,000 | $3,058,823 | ||
| Nolan Arenado | Colorado Rockies* | Baseball | 8 years (2019–2026) | $260,000,000 | $32,500,000 | $200,617 | |
| Josh Allen‡ | Buffalo Bills | American football | 6 years (2021–2028) | $258,000,000 | $43,000,000 | $2,529,412 | |
| Jalen Hurts‡ | Philadelphia Eagles | 5 years (2023–2027) | $255,000,000 | $51,000,000 | $3,000,000 | ||
| Alex RodriguezR | Texas Rangers* | Baseball | 10 years (2001–2010) | $252,000,000 | $25,200,000 | $155,555 | |
| Bradley Beal | Washington Wizards* | Basketball | 5 years (2022–2027) | $251,000,000 | $50,200,000 | $612,195 | |
| Miguel CabreraR | Detroit Tigers | Baseball | 8 years (2016–2023) | $248,000,000 | $31,000,000 | $191,358 | |
| Anthony Rendon | Los Angeles Angels | 7 years (2020–2026) | $245,000,000 | $35,000,000 | $216,049 | ||
| Stephen StrasburgInjury | Washington Nationals | 7 years (2020–2026) | $245,000,000 | $35,000,000 | $216,049 | ||
| Russell Wilson‡ | Denver Broncos* | American football | 5 years (2022–2026) | $242,588,236 | $48,517,647 | $2,853,979 | |
| Albert PujolsR | Los Angeles Angels* | Baseball | 10 years (2012–2021) | $240,000,000 | $24,000,000 | $148,148 | |
| Robinson CanóR | Seattle Mariners* | 10 years (2014–2023) | $240,000,000 | $24,000,000 | $148,148 | ||
| Lauri Markkanen | Utah Jazz | Basketball | 5 years (2024–2029) | $238,000,000 | $47,600,000 | $580,488 | |
| Kyler Murray‡ | Arizona Cardinals | American football | 5 years (2022–2026) | $230,500,000 | $46,100,000 | $2,711,765 | |
| Deshaun Watson | Cleveland Browns | 5 years (2022–2026) | $230,000,000 | $46,000,000 | $2,705,882 | ||
| Giannis Antetokounmpo | Milwaukee Bucks | Basketball | 5 years (2021–2026) | $228,200,830 | $45,640,166 | $556,587 | |
| James Harden | Houston Rockets* | 6 years (2017–2023) | $228,000,000 | $38,000,000 | $463,414 | ||
| Joey VottoR | Cincinnati Reds | Baseball | 10 years (2014–2023) | $225,000,000 | $22,500,000 | $138,888 | |
| Devin Booker | Phoenix Suns | Basketball | 4 years (2024–2028) | $224,000,000 | $56,000,000 | $682,927 | |
| Karl-Anthony Towns | Minnesota Timberwolves* | 4 years (2024–2028) | $224,000,000 | $56,000,000 | $682,927 | ||
| Cade Cunningham | Detroit Pistons | 5 years (2025–2029) | $224,000,000 | $44,800,000 | $546,341 | ||
| Scottie Barnes | Toronto Raptors | 5 years (2025–2029) | 224,000,000 | $44,800,000 | $546,341 | ||
| Evan Mobley | Cleveland Cavaliers | 5 years (2025–2030) | $224,000,000 | $44,800,000 | $546,341 | ||
| Franz Wagner | Orlando Magic | 5 years (2025–2029) | $224,000,000 | $44,800,000 | $546,341 | ||
| Max Fried | New York Yankees | Baseball | 8 years (2025–2033) | $218,000,000 | $27,250,000 | $168,209 | |
| David PriceR | Boston Red Sox* | 7 years (2016–2022) | $217,000,000 | $31,000,000 | $191,358 | ||
| Stephen Curry | Golden State Warriors | Basketball | 4 years (2022–2026) | $215,353,664 | $53,838,416 | $656,566 | |
| Zach LaVine | Chicago Bulls* | 5 years (2022–2027) | $215,200,000 | $43,040,000 | $656,098 | ||
| Trae Young | Atlanta Hawks | 5 years (2022–2027) | $215,159,700 | $43,031,940 | $524,778 | ||
| Clayton Kershaw | Los Angeles Dodgers | Baseball | 7 years (2014–2020) | $215,000,000 | $30,714,286 | $189,594 | |
| Christian Yelich | Milwaukee Brewers | 9 years (2020–2028) | $215,000,000 | $23,888,889 | $147,462 | ||
| Prince FielderR | Detroit Tigers* | 9 years (2012–2020) | $214,000,000 | $23,777,778 | $146,776 | ||
| Tua Tagovailoa‡ | Miami Dolphins | American football | 4 years (2025–2029) | $212,400,000 | $53,100,000 | $3,123,529 | |
| Jared Goff‡ | Detroit Lions | 4 years (2025–2029) | $212,000,000 | $53,000,000 | $3,117,647 | ||
| Max Scherzer | Washington Nationals* | Baseball | 7 years (2015–2021) | $210,000,000 | $30,000,000 | $185,185 | |
| Julio Rodríguez | Seattle Mariners | 13 years (2022–2034) | $209,300,000 | $17,441,667 | $107,665 | ||
| Luka Dončić | Dallas Mavericks* | Basketball | 5 years (2022–2027) | $207,060,000 | $41,412,000 | $505,024 | |
| Russell Westbrook | Oklahoma City Thunder* | 5 years (2018–2023) | $206,794,070 | $41,358,814 | $504,375 | ||
| Zack GreinkeR | Arizona Diamondbacks* | Baseball | 6 years (2016–2021) | $206,500,000 | $34,416,667 | $212,448 | |
| Rudy Gobert | Utah Jazz* | Basketball | 5 years (2021–2026) | $205,000,000 | $41,000,000 | $500,000 | |
| Stephen Curry | Golden State Warriors | 5 years (2017–2022) | $201,158,790 | $40,231,758 | $490,631 | ||
| Carlos Correa | Minnesota Twins | Baseball | 6 years (2023–2028) | $200,000,000 | $33,333,333 | $205,761 | |
| Kevin Durant | Brooklyn Nets* | Basketball | 4 years (2022–2026) | $197,656,906 | $49,414,227 | $602,613 | |
| Ja Morant | Memphis Grizzlies | 5 years (2023–2027) | $197,230,450 | $39,446,090 | $481,050 | ||
| Klay Thompson | Golden State Warriors | 5 years (2019–2024) | $189,903,600 | $37,980,720 | $463,179 | ||
| Derek JeterR | New York Yankees | Baseball | 10 years (2001–2010) | $189,000,000 | $18,900,000 | $116,666 | |
| Jimmy Butler | Miami Heat* | Basketball | 4 years (2022–2026) | $186,592,000 | $46,648,000 | $568,878 | |
| Giannis Antetokounmpo | Milwaukee Bucks | 3 years (2025–2028) | $186,000,000 | $62,000,000 | $756,098 | ||
| Jacob deGrom | Texas Rangers | Baseball | 5 years (2023–2027) | $185,000,000 | $37,000,000 | $228,395 | |
| Joe MauerR | Minnesota Twins | 8 years (2011–2018) | $184,000,000 | $23,000,000 | $141,975 | ||
| Jason Heyward | Chicago Cubs* | 8 years (2016–2023) | $184,000,000 | $23,000,000 | $141,975 | ||
| Kris Bryant | Colorado Rockies | 7 years (2022–2028) | $182,000,000 | $26,000,000 | $160,493 | ||
| Wander Franco | Tampa Bay Rays | 11 years (2022–2032) | $182,000,000 | $16,545,455 | $102,132 | ||
| Mark TeixeiraR | New York Yankees | 8 years (2009–2016) | $180,000,000 | $22,500,000 | $138,888 | ||
| Justin Verlander | Detroit Tigers* | 7 years (2013–2019) | $180,000,000 | $25,714,286 | $158,730 | ||
| Kirk Cousins | Atlanta Falcons | American football | 4 years (2024–2027) | $180,000,000 | $45,000,000 | $2,674,059 | |
| Tobias Harris | Philadelphia 76ers | Basketball | 5 years (2019–2024) | $180,000,000 | $36,000,000 | $429,024 | |
| Khris Middleton | Milwaukee Bucks | 5 years (2019–2024) | $177,500,000 | $35,500,000 | $432,926 | ||
| Deshaun Watson‡ | Houston Texans* | American football | 6 years (2020–2025) | $177,500,000 | $29,583,333 | $1,740,196 | |
| Ben Simmons | Philadelphia 76ers* | Basketball | 5 years (2020–2025) | $177,243,360 | $35,448,672 | $432,301 | |
| Dansby Swanson | Chicago Cubs | Baseball | 7 years (2023–2029) | $177,000,000 | $25,285,714 | $156,085 | |
| Paul George | Los Angeles Clippers* | Basketball | 4 years (2021–2025) | $176,265,468 | $44,066,367 | $544,029 | |
| Kawhi Leonard | Los Angeles Clippers | 4 years (2021–2025) | $176,265,152 | $44,066,288 | $544,028 | ||
| Damian Lillard | Portland Trail Blazers* | 4 years (2021–2025) | $176,265,152 | $44,066,288 | $544,028 | ||
| Félix HernándezR | Seattle Mariners* | Baseball | 7 years (2013–2019) | $175,000,000 | $25,000,000 | $154,320 | |
| Stephen StrasburgR | Washington Nationals | 7 years (2017–2023) | $175,000,000 | $25,000,000 | $154,320 | ||
| Marcus Semien | Texas Rangers | 7 years (2022–2028) | $175,000,000 | $25,000,000 | $154,320 | ||
| Shai Gilgeous-Alexander | Oklahoma City Thunder | Basketball | 5 years (2022–2027) | $172,550,000 | $34,510,000 | $420,854 | |
| Blake GriffinR | Los Angeles Clippers* | 5 years (2017–2022) | $171,174,820 | $34,234,964 | $417,499 | ||
| John WallR | Washington Wizards* | 4 years (2019–2023) | $171,174,820 | $42,793,708 | $521,874 |
- Footnotes
- ↑ Based on number of regular-season games only (excludes any playoff games). In baseball, starting pitchers usually pitch every five games, resting during the interval between starts. In association football, teams are involved in multiple competitions in a season—league matches, domestic cups, and very often continental club competitions.
- 1 2 $680 million of Ohtani's contract will be deferred until it expires. He will receive $2 million per year for the 10 years of the contract's duration, and the remaining $680 million will be paid out at $68 million per year over the following 10 years.
- ↑ Based on the following data:
- 38 La Liga matches per season.
- Minimum of one match in each edition of Spain's domestic cup competition, Copa del Rey.
- This count does not include preseason friendly matches, whether domestic or international.
- ↑ Ronaldo's contract is two-and-a-half years starting 1 January 2023 and ending 30 June 2025. He will receive $107,668,409 for the half-season he will play from 1 January 2023–30 June 2023; He will then receive $214,384,204.50/season for each of the two full seasons he will play 1 July 2023–30 June 2025.
- ↑ Based on the following data:
- 30 Saudi Pro League matches per season
- Minimum of one match in each edition of Saudi Arabia's domestic cup competition
- This count does not include preseason friendly matches, whether domestic or international.
- ↑ Mahomes signed a 10-year extension on 6 July 2020. When the deal was first reported, it was reported as being 10 years for $503 million. It was later revealed that this amount includes the final years of the contract he was under at the time, which lasted until the end of the 2021 NFL season, and the money remaining on that contract.
- 1 2 Reflects the expansion of the NFL regular season from 16 to 17 games in 2021.
- ↑ Machado extended his contract by using an opt-out available after the 2023 season to be able to get a new deal.
- ↑ Alex Rodriguez's 2014 salary was reduced to $2,868,853 due to his season-long suspension related to the Biogenesis baseball scandal.
- ↑ Justin Herbert's five-year extension includes $133.7 million fully guaranteed, $193.7 million with the injury guarantee and springing potentially to $218.7 million guaranteed.
- ↑ Rodriguez and Greinke opted out of their contracts after the 2007 and 2015 seasons, respectively.
- ↑ Based on the following data: Based on 2022–2028 MVP Votes 0 Top 10 votes: 8 years, $200M ($25M annually) 2 Top 10 votes: 8 years $240M ($30M annually) 4 Top 10 votes: 8 years, $260M ($32.5M annually) 1 Win + 1 Top 5 vote or 3 Top 5 votes: 8 years, $280M ($35M annually) 2 Wins or 4 Top 5 votes: 10 years, $350M ($35M annually) If the team declines the 2030 option, it converts to a 5 year, $90M player option (2030–2034) Player Option Escalator: 8 combined Silver Slugger or All-Star Selections: 5 years, $100M ($20M annually) 10 combined Silver Slugger or All-Star Selections: 5 years, $110M ($22M annually) 1 MVP + 2 All-Star Selections: 5 years, $125M ($25M annually)
- ↑ Contract length included the 2 years remaining on Watson's rookie contract, plus a 4-year extension worth $156 million.
- ↑ Total value of remaining rookie contract plus extension.
- ↑ Includes escalator clause triggered when Simmons was named to the All-NBA third team in 2019–20.
- ↑ Gilgeous-Alexander's contract includes an escalator clause that will increase its total value to $207,060,000 should he be named to the All-NBA team at any level in the 2021–22 season.
R – retired
Injury – While still technically under contract, injury has ended his career
* – left team (or streaming service) before expiration of contract
‡ – entirety of contract salary not guaranteed
(tie) – score of two or more above mentioned athletes heretofore considered equal if their contracts have been signed within a given timeframe providing negligible inflation ratio (during the same year)