List of largest sports contracts

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This is a **list of the largest sports contracts**. These figures include signing bonuses but exclude options, buyouts, and the 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, Steven Strasburg, Manny Machado, Kevin Durant, Steph Curry and Deshaun Watson 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, Cristiano Ronaldo, 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.

## Largest sports contracts

Footnotes
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*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)*

## See also

* Salary cap
* Gaius Appuleius Diocles
* List of most expensive association football transfers
* List of professional sports leagues

## Notes

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* Contracts in the NFL are often not guaranteed, meaning that players who retire, or who are cut, do not receive their contracted salaries after their release from the team.
* NBA and NHL seasons span two calendar years, as do seasons in all of the richest European association football leagues.
* During his contract years, Michael Schumacher had significantly higher annual earnings than the athletes on this list with larger total contracts. On top of his $31 million per year paid by the Ferrari team, which alone ranked as the highest annual earnings at the time, he also earned a significant amount more per year from race winnings.Template:Citation needed
* David Beckham signed a five-year deal with MLS soccer team Los Angeles Galaxy that was worth a reported $251 million, but that figure included commercial endorsements; only $5 million a year of that figure was salary from the club, while the rest came via existing endorsements and profit sharing with the club.
* Lewis Hamilton signed a contract with McLaren Mercedes worth at least £70 million (US$138 million) over 5 seasons (2008–2012). However, no official contract details were released by the team.

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## External links

* Why MLB Players Land The Best Pro Contracts (22 October 2018).Template:Cbignore

Template:Most Expensive

1. ↑ Kirkland, Alex (30 January 2021). Lionel Messi's leaked Barcelona contract the biggest in sports history – report. ESPN.
2. ↑ https://www.newtraderu.com/2023/01/03/top-10-worlds-highest-paid-athletes-2023-annual-contracts/.
3. ↑ Chiefs, Patrick Mahomes agree to 10-year, $450M extension.
4. ↑ https://www.newtraderu.com/2023/01/03/top-10-worlds-highest-paid-athletes-2023-annual-contracts/.
5. ↑ Bollinger, Rhett (20 March 2019). Trout, Halos make record $400M+ deal official. MLB.
6. ↑ Canelo Alvarez Signs Richest Athlete Contract in Sports History (17 October 2018).
7. ↑ Passan, Jeff (22 July 2020). Mookie Betts agrees to 12-year, $365 million extension with Dodgers.
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9. ↑ Manny Machado, San Diego Padres finalizing $350M extension. ESPN (26 February 2023).
10. ↑ New York Mets and All-Star shortstop Francisco Lindor agree to 10-year, $341 million deal, source says. ESPN (31 March 2021).
11. ↑ Passan, Jeff (17 February 2021). Source: San Diego Padres, Fernando Tatis Jr. agree on 14-year, $340 million deal.
12. ↑ Bryce Harper, Phillies agree to record-breaking $330 million free agent deal.
13. ↑ Brown, Tim (17 November 2014). Marlins slugger Giancarlo Stanton agrees to 13 year, $325 million contract extension. yahoo.com.
14. ↑ Landry, Kennedi (1 December 2021). Rangers officially sign Seager to 10-year deal.
15. ↑ Pickman, Ben (11 December 2019). Report: Gerrit Cole Signs Record-Breaking Contract with Yankees. si.com.
16. ↑ Red Sox and third baseman Rafael Devers agree on ten-year contract extension through 2033 season. MLB.
17. ↑ Celtics' Brown lands richest deal in NBA history (en) (2023-07-25).
18. ↑ Manny Machado, San Diego Padres reach 10-year, $300 million deal. ESPN (19 February 2019).
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21. ↑ Joe Burrow reportedly signs 5-year, $275 million contract extension with Bengals.
22. ↑ Rodriguez finalizes $275M deal with Yankees. ESPN (13 December 2007).
23. ↑ Max Verstappen signs new contract to stay at Red Bull until 2028.
24. ↑ Nikola Jokic contract details: Two-time league MVP re-signs with Nuggets on richest deal in NBA history. Sporting News.
25. ↑ Justin Herbert, Chargers agree to five-year, $262.5 million extension.
26. ↑ Lamar Jackson, Ravens agree to terms on five-year, $260 million contract (en-US).
27. ↑ Why $260 million deal is a win for Nolan Arenado and the Rockies (26 February 2019).
28. ↑ 28.0 28.1 Louis-Jacques, Marcel (6 August 2021). Buffalo Bills sign QB Josh Allen to 6-year extension; deal worth $258M with $150M guaranteed, sources say.
29. ↑ Stark, Jayson (18 July 2003). Rangers go for broke: A-Rod deal worth $252M. ESPN.
30. ↑ Bradley Beal contract details: Wizards make star guard one of the NBA's highest-paid players. Sporting News.
31. ↑ Miggy, Tigers agree on record extension (28 March 2014).
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33. ↑ Stephen Strasburg returning to Nationals on 7-year, $245 million deal. yahoo.com (9 December 2011).
34. ↑ Russell Wilson Contract Details.
35. ↑ Albert Pujols' deal completed with Los Angeles Angels; worth $240M over 10 years. ESPN (5 January 2012).
36. ↑ Robinson Cano Agrees to deal with seattle mariners. ESPN (6 December 2013).
37. ↑ Kyler Murray Contract Details.
38. ↑ Deshaun Watson's Contract Details, Salary Cap Impact, and Bonuses. Pro Football Network (18 March 2022).
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40. ↑ 40.0 40.1 Adams, Luke (27 November 2020). 2020/21 NBA Contract Extension Tracker.
41. ↑ Supermax extension to pay James Harden record $228M through 2022–23. ESPN (9 July 2017).
42. ↑ ESPN.com news services (4 April 2014). Joey Votto agrees to biggest contract in Cincinnati Reds history.
43. ↑ Devin Booker contract details: Suns star signing supermax extension to remain in Phoenix. Sporting News.
44. ↑ Karl-Anthony Towns contract details: Timberwolves star signing supermax extension to remain in Minnesota. Sporting News.
45. ↑ Red Sox To Sign David Price. MLB Trade Rumors (1 December 2015).
46. ↑ Feldman, Dan (3 August 2021). Report: Stephen Curry signing four-year, $215M contract extension with Warriors. NBC Sports.
47. ↑ How Zach LaVine's contract signing impacts free agency: Bulls cap space, roster needs. Sporting News.
48. ↑ Trae Young Contract. spotrac.
49. ↑ Clayton Kershaw and Dodgers Officially Agree on 7-Year Contract Extension (15 January 2014).
50. ↑ Yelich on contract extension: 'A natural fit' (6 March 2020).
51. ↑ Source: Tigers to sign Prince Fielder. ESPN (25 January 2012).
52. ↑ Nationals deal with Max Scherzer for $210M, half deferred. CBSSports.com.
53. ↑ Inside J-Rod's megadeal and how it came together (29 August 2022).
54. ↑ NBA Contract Details: Luka Doncic.
55. ↑ Westbrook's 5-year/$205M extension with OKC gives him richest deal in NBA history.
56. ↑ Wilmoth, Charles (4 December 2015). Diamondbacks To Sign Zack Greinke. MLB Trade Rumors.
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58. ↑ Wojnarowski, Adrian (30 June 2017). Stephen Curry's supermax deal becomes richest in NBA history. ESPN.
59. ↑ Angelina, Martin (11 January 2023). Correa passes Twins physical, agrees to six-year, $200M deal. NBC Sports.
60. ↑ NBA Contract Details: Kevin Durant.
61. ↑ NBA Contract Details: Ja Morant.
62. ↑ Shapiro, Michael (1 July 2019). Report: Klay Thompson, Warriors Agree to Five-Year, $190 Million Contract. si.com.
63. ↑ Jeter drives the Yankees. ESPN.
64. ↑ NBA Contract Details: Jimmy Butler.
65. ↑ Passan, Jeff (2 December 2022). Sources: Rangers, Jacob deGrom agree to 5-year, $185M deal.
66. ↑ Joe Mauer Agrees To 8-Year Contract With Twins.
67. ↑ Cubs add to offseason haul by adding Jason Heyward on 8-year, $184M deal. ESPN (11 December 2015).
68. ↑ Rockies Repeat History, Seemingly Expecting a Different Result. Sports Illustrated (17 March 2022).
69. ↑ Wander Franco finalizes $182 million, 11-year contract in 'great day' for Tampa Bay Rays. ESPN (27 November 2021).
70. ↑ Olney, Buster (23 December 2008). Sources: 'Tex' takes Yanks' 8-year deal. ESPN.
71. ↑ Justin Verlander gets record deal. ESPN (29 March 2013).
72. ↑ Chiari, Mike (30 June 2019). Tobias Harris, 76ers Agree to 5-Year, $180M Contract; No Player Option Included. bleacherreport.com.
73. ↑ Khris Middleton Reportedly Re-Signs with Bucks on 5-Year, $178M Contract. bleacherreport.com (30 June 2019).
74. ↑ Where Deshaun Watson's New Texans Contract Ranks Among NFL's Biggest Deals | Bleacher Report | Latest News, Videos and Highlights.
75. ↑ NBA Contract Details: Ben Simmons.
76. ↑ Rogers, Jesse (17 December 2022). Sources: Cubs, Dansby Swanson agree to 7-year, $177M deal.
77. ↑ NBA Contract Details: Kawhi Leonard.
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82. ↑ Cite error: Invalid `<ref>` tag; no text was provided for refs named `SGA`
83. ↑ Kent, Austin (30 June 2016). Blake Griffin To Sign 5-Year Deal With Clippers. Hoops Rumors.
84. ↑ John Wall NBA Salary. HoopsHype (30 June 2016).
85. ↑ Nick Bosa Contract Extension: What It Means For The San Francisco 49ers.
86. ↑ Olney, Buster (15 March 2022). Atlanta Braves sign Matt Olson to 8-year, $168 million deal through 2029 season. ESPN.
87. ↑ Links, Zack (29 March 2013). Giants Extend Buster Posey. MLB Trade Rumors.
88. ↑ Shiller, Drew (10 July 2019). New details emerge regarding Kevin Durant's contract with the Nets. nbcsports.com.
89. ↑ Altuve agrees to deal through 2024 with Astros (16 March 2018).
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94. ↑ Freddie Freeman signs with Dodgers: Ex-Braves star gets six-year, $162 million deal in L.A. (18 March 2022).
95. ↑ Passan, Jeff (8 December 2022). Sources: Mets signing CF Brandon Nimmo, RHP David Robertson.
96. ↑ CC revels no longer being the big fish | MLB.com: News. Mlb.mlb.com (19 June 2012).
97. ↑ Chris Davis, Orioles agree to 7-year, $161 million deal. Baltimore Sun (16 January 2016).
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99. ↑ Gurnick, Ken (18 November 2011). Dodgers finalize Kemp's eight-year deal.
100. ↑ Archer, Todd (9 March 2021). Dallas Cowboys QB Dak Prescott's contract includes $1 million Super Bowl incentive.
101. ↑ ABC News. Beckham Looking Forward to U.S. Challenge Template:Webarchive. 12 January 2007. Retrieved 26 January 2008.
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