53 Biggest Sports Contracts Ever
In the late 1950s, New York Yankees catcher Yogi Berra paid the bills by working in the offseason as a waiter. This was not uncommon. Shortly after shutting out the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 2 of the 1966 World Series, Baltimore Orioles pitcher Jim Palmer supplemented his income to the tune of $150 a week selling suits at a men’s clothing store. NFL legend Jim Brown held a side gig as a sales rep with Pepsi, Hall of Fame quarterback Y.A. Tittle sold insurance and Dodgers outfielder Carl Furillo ran a deli.
Today’s top players don’t have to worry about working a side gig in the offseason. Nine-figure contracts, once unheard of, are now the norm for the biggest sports stars. Some of the largest contracts are spread out over a dozen years or more. Other athletes collect much quicker — the tab for the richest deal in the sporting world, worth nearly a half-billion dollars, comes due in just 2.5 years.
In this study, GOBankingRates aggregated noteworthy contracts across multiple sports and ranked the most lucrative ones in descending order, from lowest to highest. The study used data from Spotrac, MLB and ESPN to dig into the contracts further. Boxing, baseball and basketball contracts came out on top. In some cases, like with Stephen Strasburg and Anthony Rendon, more than one player tied with the same contract value, so readers should expect to see some values repeated.
Keep reading to find out which players inked the deals that made them the highest-paid athletes in history.
Last updated: Aug. 17, 2020
53. Kristaps Porziņģis
Player information:
Age: 24
Sport: Basketball
Position: Power forward
Contract:
Team: Dallas Mavericks
Value: $158,253,000
Years in effect: 2019–2024
Average per year: $31,650,600
Signing bonus: N/A
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52. Karl-Anthony Towns
Player information:
Age: 24
Sport: Basketball
Position: Center
Contract:
Team: Minnesota Timberwolves
Value: $158,253,000
Years in effect: 2019-2024
Average per year: $31,650,600
Signing bonus: N/A
51. Devin Booker
Player information:
Age: 23
Sport: Basketball
Position: Shooting guard
Contract:
Team: Phoenix Suns
Value: $158,253,000
Years in effect: 2019-2024
Average per year: $31,650,600
Signing bonus: N/A
50. Chris Paul
Player information:
Age: 35
Sport: Basketball
Position: Point guard
Contract:
Team: Oklahoma City Thunder (contract signed with the Houston Rockets)
Value: $159,730,592
Years in effect: 2018-2022
Average per year: $39,932,648
Signing bonus: N/A
49. Matt Kemp
Player information:
Age: 35
Sport: Baseball
Position: Left field
Contract:
Team: Miami Marlins (contract signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers)
Value: $160,000,000
Years in effect: 2012-2019
Average per year: $20,000,000
Signing bonus: $2,000,000
48. Manny Ramírez
Player information:
Age: 48
Sport: Baseball
Position: Left field
Contract:
Team: Retired (contract signed with the Boston Red Sox)
Value: $160,000,000
Years in effect: 2001-2008
Average per year: $20,000,000
Signing bonus: N/A
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47. Chris Davis
Player information:
Age: 34
Sport: Baseball
Position: First base
Contract:
Team: Baltimore Orioles
Value: $161,000,000
Years in effect: 2016-2022
Average per year: $23,000,000
Signing bonus: N/A
46. CC Sabathia
Player information:
Age: 39
Sport: Baseball
Position: Starting pitcher
Contract:
Team: Retired (contract signed with the New York Yankees)
Value: $161,000,000
Years in effect: 2009-2015
Average per year: $23,000,000
Signing bonus: N/A
45. José Altuve
Player information:
Age: 30
Sport: Baseball
Position: Second base
Contract:
Team: Houston Astros
Value: $163,500,000
Years in effect: 2018-2024
Average per year: $23,357,143
Signing bonus: $21,000,000
44. Kevin Durant
Player information:
Age: 31
Sport: Basketball
Position: Small forward
Contract:
Team: Brooklyn Nets (contract signed with the Golden State Warriors)
Value: $164,255,700
Years in effect: 2019-2023
Average per year: $41,063,925
Signing bonus: N/A
43. Buster Posey
Player information:
Age: 33
Sport: Baseball
Position: Catcher
Contract:
Team: San Francisco Giants
Value: $159,000,000
Years in effect: 2013-2021
Average per year: $18,555,556
Signing bonus: $7,000,000
42. Jamal Murray
Player information:
Age: 23
Sport: Basketball
Position: Point guard
Contract:
Team: Denver Nuggets
Value: $169,650,000
Years in effect: 2020-2025
Average per year: $33,930,000
Signing bonus: N/A
41. Ben Simmons
Player information:
Age: 23
Sport: Basketball
Position: Point guard
Contract:
Team: Philadelphia 76ers
Value: $169,650,000
Years in effect: 2020-2025
Average per year: $33,930,000
Signing bonus: N/A
40. John Wall
Player information:
Age: 29
Sport: Basketball
Position: Point guard
Contract:
Team: Washington Wizards
Value: $171,131,520
Years in effect: 2019-2023
Average per year: $42,782,880
Signing bonus: N/A
39. Blake Griffin
Player information:
Age: 31
Sport: Basketball
Position: Power forward
Contract:
Team: Detroit Pistons (contract signed with the Los Angeles Clippers)
Value: $171,174,820
Years in effect: 2017-2022
Average per year: $34,234,964
Signing bonus: N/A
38. Stephen Strasburg
Player information:
Age: 31
Sport: Baseball
Position: Starting pitcher
Contract:
Team: Washington Nationals
Value: $175,000,000
Years in effect: 2016-2023
Average per year: $25,000,000
Signing bonus: $10,000,000
37. Félix Hernández
Player information:
Age: 34
Sport: Baseball
Position: Starting pitcher
Contract:
Team: Atlanta Braves (contract signed with the Seattle Mariners)
Value: $175,000,000
Years in effect: 2013-2019
Average per year: $25,000,000
Signing bonus: $6,000,000
36. Khris Middleton
Player information:
Age: 28
Sport: Basketball
Position: Small forward
Contract:
Team: Milwaukee Bucks
Value: $177,500,000
Years in effect: 2019-2024
Average per year: $35,500,000
Signing bonus: N/A
35. Tobias Harris
Player information:
Age: 27
Sport: Basketball
Position: Small forward
Contract:
Team: Philadelphia 76ers
Value: $180,000,000
Years in effect: 2019-2024
Average per year: $36,000,000
Signing bonus: N/A
34. Mark Teixeira
Player information:
Age: 40
Sport: Baseball
Position: First base
Contract:
Team: Retired (contract signed with the New York Yankees)
Value: $180,000,000
Years in effect: 2009-2016
Average per year: $22,500,000
Signing bonus: $5,000,000
33. Justin Verlander
Player information:
Age: 37
Sport: Baseball
Position: Starting pitcher
Contract:
Team: Houston Astros (contract signed with the Detroit Tigers)
Value: $180,000,000
Years in effect: 2013-2019
Average per year: $25,714,286
Signing bonus: N/A
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32. Joe Mauer
Player information:
Age: 37
Sport: Baseball
Position: First base
Contract:
Team: Retired (contract signed with the Minnesota Twins)
Value: $184,000,000
Years in effect: 2011-2018
Average per year: $23,000,000
Signing bonus: N/A
31. Jason Heyward
Player information:
Age: 30
Sport: Baseball
Position: Right field
Contract:
Team: Chicago Cubs
Value: $184,000,000
Years in effect: 2016-2023
Average per year: $23,000,000
Signing bonus: $20,000,000
30. Derek Jeter
Player information:
Age: 45
Sport: Baseball
Position: Shortstop
Contract:
Team: Retired (contract signed with the New York Yankees)
Value: $189,000,000
Years in effect: 2001-2010
Average per year: $18,900,000
Signing bonus: $16,000,000
29. Klay Thompson
Player information:
Age: 30
Sport: Basketball
Position: Shooting guard
Contract:
Team: Golden State Warriors
Value: $189,903,600
Years in effect: 2019-2024
Average per year: $37,980,720
Signing bonus: N/A
28. Damian Lillard
Player information:
Age: 29
Sport: Basketball
Position: Point guard
Contract:
Team: Portland Trail Blazers
Value: $196,000,000
Years in effect: 2021-2025
Average per year: $49,000,000
Signing bonus: N/A
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27. Stephen Curry
Player information:
Age: 32
Sport: Basketball
Position: Point guard
Contract:
Team: Golden State Warriors
Value: $201,158,790
Years in effect: 2017-2022
Average per year: $40,231,758
Signing bonus: N/A
26. Zack Greinke
Player information:
Age: 36
Sport: Baseball
Position: Starting pitcher
Contract:
Team: Houston Astros (contract signed with the Arizona Diamondbacks)
Value: $206,500,000
Years in effect: 2016-2021
Average per year: $34,416,667
Signing bonus: $18,000,000
25. Russell Westbrook
Player information:
Age: 31
Sport: Basketball
Position: Point guard
Contract:
Team: Houston Rockets (contract signed with the Oklahoma City Thunder)
Value: $206,794,070
Years in effect: 2018-2023
Average per year: $41,358,814
Signing bonus: N/A
24. Max Scherzer
Player information:
Age: 35
Sport: Baseball
Position: Starting pitcher
Contract:
Team: Washington Nationals
Value: $210,000,000
Years in effect: 2015-2021
Average per year: $30,000,000
Signing bonus: $50,000,000
23. Prince Fielder
Player information:
Age: 36
Sport: Baseball
Position: Designated hitter
Contract:
Team: Retired (contract signed with the Detroit Tigers)
Value: $214,000,000
Years in effect: 2012-2020
Average per year: $23,777,778
Signing bonus: N/A
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22. Clayton Kershaw
Player information:
Age: 32
Sport: Baseball
Position: Starting pitcher
Contract:
Team: Los Angeles Dodgers
Value: $215,000,000
Years in effect: 2014-2020
Average per year: $30,714,286
Signing bonus: $18,000,000
21. Christian Yelich
Player information:
Age: 28
Sport: Baseball
Position: Left field
Contract:
Team: Milwaukee Brewers
Value: $215,000,000
Years in effect: 2020-2028
Average per year: $23,888,889
Signing bonus: N/A
20. David Price
Player information:
Age: 34
Sport: Baseball
Position: Starting pitcher
Contract:
Team: Los Angeles Dodgers (contract signed with the Boston Red Sox)
Value: $217,000,000
Years in effect: 2016-2022
Average per year: $31,000,000
Signing bonus: N/A
19. Joey Votto
Player information:
Age: 36
Sport: Baseball
Position: First base
Contract:
Team: Cincinnati Reds
Value: $225,000,000
Years in effect: 2014-2024
Average per year: $22,500,000
Signing bonus: N/A
18. James Harden
Player information:
Age: 30
Sport: Basketball
Position: Shooting guard
Contract:
Team: Houston Rockets
Value: $228,000,000
Years in effect: 2017-2023
Average per year: $38,000,000
Signing bonus: N/A
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17. Robinson Canó
Player information:
Age: 37
Sport: Baseball
Position: Second base
Contract:
Team: New York Mets (contract signed with the Seattle Mariners)
Value: $240,000,000
Years in effect: 2014-2023
Average per year: $24,000,000
Signing bonus: N/A
16. Albert Pujols
Player information:
Age: 40
Sport: Baseball
Position: Designated hitter
Contract:
Team: Los Angeles Angels
Value: $240,000,000
Years in effect: 2012-2021
Average per year: $24,000,000
Signing bonus: N/A
15. Stephen Strasburg
Player information:
Age: 31
Sport: Baseball
Position: Starting pitcher
Contract:
Team: Washington Nationals
Value: $245,000,000
Years in effect: 2020-2026
Average per year: $35,000,000
Signing bonus: N/A
14. Anthony Rendon
Player information:
Age: 30
Sport: Baseball
Position: Third base
Contract:
Team: Los Angeles Angels
Value: $245,000,000
Years in effect: 2020-2026
Average per year: $35,000,000
Signing bonus: $4,000,000
13. Miguel Cabrera
Player information:
Age: 37
Sport: Baseball
Position: Designated hitter
Contract:
Team: Detroit Tigers
Value: $248,000,000
Years in effect: 2016-2023
Average per year: $31,000,000
Signing bonus: N/A
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12. Alex Rodriguez
Player information:
Age: 44
Sport: Baseball
Position: Designated hitter
Contract:
Team: Retired (contract signed with the Texas Rangers)
Value: $252,000,000
Years in effect: 2001-2010
Average per year: $25,200,000
Signing bonus: $10,000,000
11. Nolan Arenado
Player information:
Age: 29
Sport: Baseball
Position: Third base
Contract:
Team: Colorado Rockies
Value: $260,000,000
Years in effect: 2019-2026
Average per year: $32,500,000
Signing bonus: N/A
10. Alex Rodriguez
Player information:
Age: 44
Sport: Baseball
Position: Designated hitter
Contract:
Team: Retired (contract signed with the New York Yankees)
Value: $275,000,000
Years in effect: 2008-2017
Average per year: $27,500,000
Signing bonus: $10,000,000
9. Manny Machado
Player information:
Age: 27
Sport: Baseball
Position: Third base
Contract:
Team: San Diego Padres
Value: $300,000,000
Years in effect: 2019-2028
Average per year: $30,000,000
Signing bonus: $20,000,000
8. Gerrit Cole
Player information:
Age: 29
Sport: Baseball
Position: Starting pitcher
Contract:
Team: New York Yankees
Value: $324,000,000
Years in effect: 2020-2028
Average per year: $36,000,000
Signing bonus: N/A
7. Giancarlo Stanton
Player information:
Age: 30
Sport: Baseball
Position: Designated hitter
Contract:
Team: New York Yankees (contract signed with the Miami Marlins)
Value: $325,000,000
Years in effect: 2015-2027
Average per year: $25,000,000
Signing bonus: N/A
6. Bryce Harper
Player information:
Age: 27
Sport: Baseball
Position: Right field
Contract:
Team: Philadelphia Phillies
Value: $330,000,000
Years in effect: 2019-2031
Average per year: $25,384,615
Signing bonus: $20,000,000
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5. Mookie Betts
Player information:
Age: 27
Sport: Baseball
Position: Right field
Contract:
Team: Los Angeles Dodgers
Value: $365,000,000
Years in effect: 2020-2032
Average per year: $30,416,667
Signing bonus: $65,000,000
4. Canelo Álvarez
Player information:
Age: 29
Sport: Boxing
Position: N/A
Contract:
Streaming service: DAZN
Value: $365,000,000
Years in effect: 2018-2023
Average per year: $73,000,000
Signing bonus: N/A
3. Mike Trout
Player information:
Age: 28
Sport: Baseball
Position: Center field
Contract:
Team: Los Angeles Angels
Value: $426,500,000
Years in effect: 2019-2030
Average per year: $35,541,667
Signing bonus: $20,000,000
2. Floyd Mayweather
Player information:
Age: 43
Sport: Boxing
Position: N/A
Contract:
Streaming service: Showtime/CBS
Value: $450,000,000
Years in effect: 2013-2015
Average per year: $180,000,000
Signing bonus: N/A
1. Patrick Mahomes
Player information:
Age: 24
Sport: Football
Position: Quarterback
Contract:
Team: Kansas City Chiefs
Value: $450,000,000
Years in effect: 2020-2031
Average per year: $45,000,000
Signing bonus: $10,000,000
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 53 Biggest Sports Contracts Ever
