65 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.
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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 more quickly, raking in untold riches in a little more than two 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, more than one player tied with the same contract value, so readers should expect to see some values repeated.
Last updated: July 12, 2021
65. Jamal Murray
Player information:
Sport: Basketball
Position: Point guard
Contract:
Team at time of signing: Denver Nuggets
Current team/status (if different): N/A
Value: $158,253,000
Length of contract: 5 years (2020-2024)
Average per year: $31,650,600
Signing bonus: N/A
End of contract: Current
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64. Brandon Ingram
Player information:
Sport: Basketball
Position: Small forward
Contract:
Team at time of signing: New Orleans Pelicans
Current team/status (if different): N/A
Value: $158,253,000
Length of contract: 5 years (2020-2024)
Average per year: $31,650,600
Signing bonus: N/A
End of contract: Current
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63. Kristaps Porziņģis
Player information:
Sport: Basketball
Position: Power forward
Contract:
Team at time of signing: Dallas Mavericks
Current team/status (if different): N/A
Value: $158,253,000
Length of contract: 5 years (2019–2024)
Average per year: $31,650,600
Signing bonus: N/A
End of Contract: Current
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62. Karl-Anthony Towns
Player information:
Sport: Basketball
Position: Center
Contract:
Team at time of signing: Minnesota Timberwolves
Current team/status (if different): N/A
Value: $158,253,000
Length of Contract: 5 years (2019-2024)
Average per year: $31,650,600
Signing bonus: N/A
End of Contract: Current
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61. Devin Booker
Player information:
Sport: Basketball
Position: Shooting guard
Contract:
Team at time of signing: Phoenix Suns
Current team/status (if different): N/A
Value: $158,253,000
Length of Contract: 5 years (2019-2024)
Average per year: $31,650,600
Signing bonus: N/A
End of contract: Current
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60. Buster Posey
Player information:
Sport: Baseball
Position: Catcher
Contract:
Team at time of signing: San Francisco Giants
Current team/status (if different): N/A
Value: $159,000,000
Length of contract: 8 years (2013-2021)
Average per year: $19,875,000
Signing bonus: $7,000,000
End of contract: Current
59. Chris Paul
Player information:
Sport: Basketball
Position: Point guard
Contract:
Team at time of signing: Houston Rockets
Current team/status (if different): Phoenix Suns
Value: $159,730,592
Length of contract: 4 years (2018-2022)
Average per year: $39,932,648
Signing bonus: N/A
End of contract: Current
58. Matt Kemp
Player information:
Sport: Baseball
Position: Left field
Contract:
Team at time of signing: Los Angeles Dodgers
Current team/status (if different): Miami Marlins
Value: $160,000,000
Length of contract: 2012-2019
Average per year: $20,000,000
Signing bonus: $2,000,000
End of contract: Released
57. Manny Ramírez
Player information:
Sport: Baseball
Position: Left field
Contract:
Team at time of signing: Boston Red Sox
Current team/status (if different): Retired
Value: $160,000,000
Length of contract: 8 years (2001-2008)
Average per year: $20,000,000
Signing bonus: N/A
End of contract: Retired
56. Dak Prescott
Player information:
Sport: Football
Position: Quarterback
Contract:
Team at time of signing: Dallas Cowboys
Current team/status (if different): N/A
Value: $160,000,000
Length of contract: 4 years (2021 - 2024)
Average per year: $40,000,000
Signing bonus: $10 million
End of contract: Upcoming
55. Chris Davis
Player information:
Sport: Baseball
Position: First base
Contract:
Team at time of signing: Baltimore Orioles
Current team/status (if different): N/A
Value: $161,000,000
Length of contract: 7 years (2016-2022)
Average per year: $23,000,000
Signing bonus: N/A
End of contract: Current
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54. CC Sabathia
Player information:
Sport: Baseball
Position: Starting pitcher
Contract:
Team at time of signing: New York Yankees
Current team/status (if different): Retired
Value: $161,000,000
Length of contract: 7 years (2009-2015)
Average per year: $23,000,000
Signing bonus: N/A
End of contract: Retired
53. Jayson Tatum
Player information:
Sport: Basketball
Position: Power forward
Contract:
Team at time of signing: Boston Celtics
Current team/status (if different): N/A
Value: $163,000,590
Length of contract: 5 years (2021-2025)
Average per year: $32,600,118
Signing bonus: N/A
End of contract: Upcoming
52. Edrice 'Bam' Adebayo
Player information:
Sport: Basketball
Position: Power forward
Contract:
Team at time of signing: Miami Heat
Current team/status (if different): N/A
Value: $163,000,590
Length of contract: 5 years (2021-2025)
Average per year: $32,600,118
Signing bonus: N/A
End of contract: Upcoming
51. Donovan Mitchell
Player information:
Sport: Basketball
Position: Shooting guard
Contract:
Team at time of signing: Utah Jazz
Current team/status (if different): N/A
Value: $163,000,590
Length of contract: 5 years (2021-2025)
Average per year: $32,600,118
Signing bonus: N/A
End of contract: Upcoming
50. De'Aaron Fox
Player information:
Sport: Basketball
Position: Point guard
Contract:
Team at time of signing: Sacramento Kings
Current team/status (if different): N/A
Value: $163,000,590
Length of contract: 5 years (2021-2025)
Average per year: $32,600,118
Signing bonus: N/A
End of contract: Upcoming
49. José Altuve
Player information:
Sport: Baseball
Position: Second base
Contract:
Team at time of signing: Houston Astros
Current team/status (if different): N/A
Value: $163,500,000
Length of contract: 7 years (2018-2024)
Average per year: $23,357,143
Signing bonus: $21,000,000
End of contract: Current
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48. Kevin Durant
Player information
Sport: Basketball
Position: Small forward
Contract:
Team at time of signing: Golden State Warriors
Current team/status (if different): Brooklyn Nets
Value: $164,255,700
Length of contract: 2019-2023
Average per year: $41,063,925
Signing bonus: N/A
End of contract: Current
47. Jamal Murray
Player information:
Sport: Basketball
Position: Point guard
Contract:
Team at time of signing: Denver Nuggets
Current team/status (if different): N/A
Value: $169,650,000
Length of contract: 5 years (2020–2025)
Average per year: $33,930,000
Signing bonus: N/A
End of contract: Current
46. John Wall
Player information:
Sport: Basketball
Position: Point guard
Contract:
Team at time of signing: Washington Wizards
Value: $171,131,520
Years in effect: 4 years (2019-2023)
Average per year: $42,782,880
Signing bonus: N/A
End of contract: Current
45. Blake Griffin
Player information:
Sport: Basketball
Position: Power forward
Contract:
Team at time of signing: Los Angeles Clippers
Current team/status (if different): Detroit Pistons
Value: $171,174,820
Length of contract: 5 years (2017-2022)
Average per year: $34,234,964
Signing bonus: N/A
End of contract: Current
44. Stephen Strasburg
Player information:
Sport: Baseball
Position: Starting pitcher
Contract:
Team at time of signing: Washington Nationals
Current team/status (if different): N/A
Value: $175,000,000
Length of contract: 7 years (2016-2023)
Average per year: $25,000,000
Signing bonus: $10,000,000
End of contract: Opted out
43. Félix Hernández
Player information:
Sport: Baseball
Position: Starting pitcher
Contract:
Team at time of signing: Seattle Mariners
Current team/status (if different): Atlanta Braves
Value: $175,000,000
Length of contract: 7 years (2013-2019)
Average per year: $25,000,000
Signing bonus: $6,000,000
End of contract: Expired, not revisited
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42. Ben Simmons
Player information:
Sport: Basketball
Position: Point guard
Contract:
Team at time of signing: Philadelphia 76ers
Current team/status (if different): N/A
Value: $169,650,000
Length of contract: 5 years (2020-2025)
Average per year: $33,930,000
Signing bonus: N/A
End of contract: Current
41. Khris Middleton
Player information:
Sport: Basketball
Position: Small forward
Contract:
Team at time of signing: Milwaukee Bucks
Current team/status (if different): N/A
Value: $177,500,000
Length of contract: 5 years (2019-2024)
Average per year: $35,500,000
Signing bonus: N/A
End of contract: Current
40. Mark Teixeira
Player information:
Sport: Baseball
Position: First base
Contract:
Team at time of signing: New York Yankees
Current team/status (if different): Retired
Value: $180,000,000
Length of contract: 8 years (2009-2016)
Average per year: $22,500,000
Signing bonus: $5,000,000
End of contract: Expired/retired
39. Justin Verlander
Player information:
Sport: Baseball
Position: Starting pitcher
Contract:
Team at time of signing: contract signed with the Detroit Tigers
Current team/status (if different): Houston Astros
Value: $180,000,000
Length of contract: 7 years (2013-2019)
Average per year: $25,714,286
Signing bonus: N/A
End of contract: Expired, followed by extension
38. Tobias Harris
Player information:
Sport: Basketball
Position: Small forward
Contract:
Team at time of signing: Philadelphia 76ers
Current team/status (if different): N/A
Value: $180,000,000
Length of contract: 5 years (2019-2024)
Average per year: $36,000,000
Signing bonus: N/A
End of contract: Current
37. Joe Mauer
Player information:
Sport: Baseball
Position: First base
Contract:
Team at time of signing: Minnesota Twins
Current team/status (if different): Retired
Value: $184,000,000
Length of contract: 2011-2018
Average per year: $23,000,000
Signing bonus: N/A
End of contract: Expired
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36. Jason Heyward
Player information:
Sport: Baseball
Position: Right field
Contract:
Team at time of signing: Chicago Cubs
Current team/status (if different): N/A
Value: $184,000,000
Length of contract: 8 years (2016-2023)
Average per year: $23,000,000
Signing bonus: $20,000,000
End of contract: Current
35. Christian Yelich
Player information:
Sport: Baseball
Position: Left field
Contract:
Team at time of signing: Milwaukee Brewers
Current team/status (if different): N/A
Value: $215,000,000
Length of contract: 7 years (2020-2028)
Average per year: $23,888,889
Signing bonus: N/A
End of contract: Current
34. Derek Jeter
Player information:
Sport: Baseball
Position: Shortstop
Contract:
Team at time of signing: New York Yankees
Current team/status (if different): Retired
Value: $189,000,000
Length of contract: 2001-2010
Average per year: $18,900,000
Signing bonus: $16,000,000
End of contract: Expired, followed by extension
33. Anthony Davis
Player information:
Sport: Basketball
Position: Power forward
Contract:
Team at time of signing: Los Angeles Lakers
Current team/status (if different): N/A
Value: $189,903,600
Length of contract: 5 years (2020-2024)
Average per year: $37,980,720
Signing bonus: N/A
End of contract: Current
32. Klay Thompson
Player information:
Sport: Basketball
Position: Shooting guard
Contract:
Team at time of signing: Golden State Warriors
Current team/status (if different): N/A
Value: $189,903,600
Length of contract: 5 years (2019-2024)
Average per year: $37,980,720
Signing bonus: N/A
End of contract: Current
31. Damian Lillard
Player information:
Sport: Basketball
Position: Point guard
Contract:
Team at time of signing: Portland Trail Blazers
Current team/status (if different): N/A
Value: $196,000,000
Length of contract: 4 years (2021-2025)
Average per year: $49,000,000
Signing bonus: N/A
End of contract: Upcoming
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30. Stephen Curry
Player information
Sport: Basketball
Position: Point guard
Contract:
Team at time of signing: Golden State Warriors
Current team/status (if different): N/A
Value: $201,158,790
Length of contract: 4 years (2017-2022)
Average per year: $40,231,758
Signing bonus: N/A
End of contract: Current
29. Rudy Gobert
Player information:
Sport: Basketball
Position: Center
Contract:
Team at time of signing: Utah Jazz
Current team/status (if different): N/A
Value: $205,000,002
Length of contract: 5 years (2021-2025)
Average per year: $41,000,000
Signing bonus: N/A
End of contract: Current
28. Zack Greinke
Player information:
Sport: Baseball
Position: Starting pitcher
Contract:
Team at time of signing: Arizona Diamondbacks
Current team/status (if different): Houston Astros
Value: $206,500,000
Length of contract: 6 years (2016-2021)
Average per year: $34,416,667
Signing bonus: $18,000,000
End of contract: Current
27. Russell Westbrook
Player information:
Sport: Basketball
Position: Point guard
Contract:
Team at time of signing: Oklahoma City Thunder
Current team/status (if different): Houston Rockets
Value: $206,794,070
Length of contract: 5 years (2018-2023)
Average per year: $41,358,814
Signing bonus: N/A
End of contract: Current
26. Max Scherzer
Player information:
Sport: Baseball
Position: Starting pitcher
Contract:
Team at time of signing: Washington Nationals
Current team/status (if different): N/A
Value: $210,000,000
Length of contract: 7 years (2015-2021)
Average per year: $30,000,000
Signing bonus: $50,000,000
End of contract: Current
25. Prince Fielder
Player information:
Sport: Baseball
Position: Designated hitter
Contract:
Team at time of signing: Detroit Tigers
Current team/status (if different): Retired
Value: $214,000,000
Length of contract: 9 years (2012-2020)
Average per year: $23,777,778
Signing bonus: N/A
End of contract: Released/retired
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24. Clayton Kershaw
Player information:
Sport: Baseball
Position: Starting pitcher
Contract:
Team at time of signing: Los Angeles Dodgers
Current team/status (if different): N/A
Value: $215,000,000
Length of contract: 7 years (2014-2020)
Average per year: $30,714,286
Signing bonus: $18,000,000
End of contract: Opted out
23. David Price
Player information:
Sport: Baseball
Position: Starting pitcher
Contract:
Team at time of signing: Boston Red Sox
Current team/status (if different): Los Angeles Dodgers
Value: $217,000,000
Length of contract: 7 years (2016-2022)
Average per year: $31,000,000
Signing bonus: N/A
End of contract: Current
22. Joey Votto
Player information:
Sport: Baseball
Position: First base
Contract:
Team at time of signing: Cincinnati Reds
Current team/status (if different): N/A
Value: $225,000,000
Length of contract: 10 years (2014-2024)
Average per year: $22,500,000
Signing bonus: N/A
End of contract: Current
21. James Harden
Player information:
Sport: Basketball
Position: Shooting guard
Contract:
Team at time of signing: Houston Rockets
Current team/status (if different): N/A
Value: $228,000,000
Length of contract: 6 years (2017-2023)
Average per year: $38,000,000
Signing bonus: N/A
End of contract: Current
20. Giannis Antetokounmpo
Player information:
Sport: Basketball
Position: Power forward
Contract:
Team at time of signing: Milwaukee Bucs
Current team/status (if different): N/A
Value: $228,200,826
Length of contract: 5 years (2021-2025)
Average per year: $45,640,165
Signing bonus: N/A
End of contract: Upcoming
19. Robinson Canó
Player information:
Sport: Baseball
Position: Second base
Contract:
Team at time of signing: Seattle Mariners
Current team/status (if different): New York Mets
Value: $240,000,000
Length of contract: 10 years (2014-2023)
Average per year: $24,000,000
Signing bonus: N/A
End of contract: Current
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18. Albert Pujols
Player information:
Sport: Baseball
Position: Designated hitter
Contract:
Team at time of signing: Los Angeles Angels
Current team/status (if different): N/A
Value: $240,000,000
Length of contract: 10 years (2012-2021)
Average per year: $24,000,000
Signing bonus: N/A
End of contract: Released, signed smaller contract with Dodgers
17. Stephen Strasburg
Player information:
Sport: Baseball
Position: Starting pitcher
Contract:
Team at time of signing: Washington Nationals
Current team/status (if different): N/A
Value: $245,000,000
Length of contract: 7 years (2020-2026)
Average per year: $35,000,000
Signing bonus: N/A
End of contract: Current
16. Anthony Rendon
Player information:
Sport: Baseball
Position: Third base
Contract:
Team at time of signing: Los Angeles Angels
Current team/status (if different): N/A
Value: $245,000,000
Length of contract: 7 years (2020-2026)
Average per year: $35,000,000
Signing bonus: $4,000,000
End of contract: Current
15. Miguel Cabrera
Player information:
Sport: Baseball
Position: Designated hitter
Contract:
Team at time of signing: Detroit Tigers
Current team/status (if different): N/A
Value: $248,000,000
Length of contract: 8 years (2016-2023)
Average per year: $31,000,000
Signing bonus: N/A
End of contract: Current
14. Alex Rodriguez
Player information:
Sport: Baseball
Position: Designated hitter
Contract:
Team at time of signing: Texas Rangers
Current team/status (if different): Retired
Value: $252,000,000
Length of contract: 2001-2010
Average per year: $25,200,000
Signing bonus: $10,000,000
End of contract: Opted out
13. Nolan Arenado
Player information:
Sport: Baseball
Position: Third base
Contract:
Team at time of signing: Colorado Rockies
Current team/status (if different): St. Louis Cardinals
Value: $260,000,000
Length of contract: 8 years (2019-2026)
Average per year: $32,500,000
Signing bonus: N/A
End of contract: Current
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12. Alex Rodriguez
Player information:
Sport: Baseball
Position: Designated hitter
Contract:
Team at time of signing: New York Yankees
Current team/status (if different): Retired
Value: $275,000,000
Years in effect: 10 years (2008-2017)
Average per year: $27,500,000
Signing bonus: $10,000,000
End of contract: Released/retired
11. Manny Machado
Player information:
Sport: Baseball
Position: Third base
Contract:
Team at time of signing: San Diego Padres
Current team/status (if different): N/A
Value: $300,000,000
Length of contract: 10 years (2019-2028)
Average per year: $30,000,000
Signing bonus: $20,000,000
End of contract: Current
10. Gerrit Cole
Player information:
Sport: Baseball
Position: Starting pitcher
Contract:
Team at time of signing: New York Yankees
Current team/status (if different): N/A
Value: $324,000,000
Length of contract: 9 years (2020-2028)
Average per year: $36,000,000
Signing bonus: N/A
End of contract: Current
9. Giancarlo Stanton
Player information:
Sport: Baseball
Position: Designated hitter
Contract:
Team at time of signing: Miami Marlins
Current team/status (if different): New York Yankees
Value: $325,000,000
Length of contract: 13 years (2015-2027)
Average per year: $25,000,000
Signing bonus: N/A
8. Bryce Harper
Player information
Sport: Baseball
Position: Right field
Contract:
Team at time of signing: Philadelphia Phillies
Current team/status (if different): N/A
Value: $330,000,000
Length of contract: 13 years (2019-2031)
Average per year: $25,384,615
Signing bonus: $20,000,000
End of contract: Current
7. Fernando Tatis Jr.
Player information:
Sport: Baseball
Position: Short stop
Contract:
Team at time of signing: San Diego
Current team/status (if different): N/A
Value: $340,000,000
Length of contract: 14 years (2021-2034)
Average per year: $24,285,714
Signing bonus: $10,000,000
End of contract: Current
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6. Francisco Lindor
Player information:
Sport: Baseball
Position: Short stop
Contract:
Team at time of signing: New York Mets
Current team/status (if different): N/A
Value: $341,000,000
Length of contract: 10 years (2021-2031)
Average per year: $34,100,000
Signing bonus: $21,000,000
End of contract: Current
5. Mookie Betts
Player information:
Sport: Baseball
Position: Right field
Contract:
Team at time of signing: Los Angeles Dodgers
Current team/status (if different): N/A
Value: $365,000,000
Length of contract: 12 years (2020-2032)
Average per year: $30,416,667
Signing bonus: $65,000,000
End of contract: Current
4. Canelo Álvarez
Player information:
Sport: Boxing
Position: N/A
Contract:
Streaming service: DAZN
Value: $365,000,000
Years in effect: 5 years (2018-2023)
Average per year: $73,000,000
Signing bonus: N/A
End of contract: Current
3. Mike Trout
Player information:
Sport: Baseball
Position: Center field
Contract:
Team at time of signing: Los Angeles Angels
Current team/status (if different): N/A
Value: $426,500,000
Length of contract: 12 years (2019-2030)
Average per year: $35,541,667
Signing bonus: $20,000,000
End of contract: Current
2. Patrick Mahomes
Player information:
Sport: Football
Position: Quarterback
Contract:
Team at time of signing: Kansas City Chiefs
Current team/status (if different): N/A
Value: $450,000,000
Length of contract: 10 years (2020-2031)
Average per year: $45,000,000
Signing bonus: $10,000,000
End of contract: Current
1. Floyd Mayweather
Player information:
Sport: Boxing
Position: N/A
Contract:
Streaming service: Showtime/CBS
Value: $450,000,000
Length of contract: 2.5 years (2013-2015)
Average per year: $180,000,000
Signing bonus: N/A
End of contract: Retired with scattered fights, runs own production company
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 65 Biggest Sports Contracts Ever
