List of largest sports contracts

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The following 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 largest contracts and thus is limited to athletes in team sports and auto racing. Athletes in individual sports, such as golf, tennis, and boxing 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 his opt-out clause). Included in this list are contracts totaling at least $100 million USD.

Contents

Largest sports contracts [edit]

Rank Player Team Sport Length of contract Contract value (USD) Average per year (USD) Average per game7 (USD) Ref
01 Rodriguez, AlexAlex Rodriguez New York Yankees Baseball 10 years (2008–2017) $275,000,000 $27,500,000 $169,753.09 [1]
02 Rodriguez, AlexAlex Rodriguez3 Texas Rangers* Baseball 10 years (2001–2010) $252,000,000 $25,200,000 $155,555.56 [2]
03 Pujols, AlbertAlbert Pujols Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim Baseball 10 years (2012–2021) $240,000,000 $24,000,000 $148,481.06 [3]
04 Votto, JoeyJoey Votto Cincinnati Reds Baseball 10 years (2014–2023) $225,000,000 $22,500,000 $138,888.89 [4]
05 Fielder, PrincePrince Fielder Detroit Tigers Baseball 9 years (2012–2020) $214,000,000 $23,777,777 $146,776.40 [5]
06 Jeter, DerekDerek Jeter New York Yankees Baseball 10 years (2001–2010) $189,000,000 $18,900,000 $116,666.67 [6]
07 Joe Mauer Minnesota Twins Baseball 8 years (2011–2018) $184,000,000 $23,000,000 $141,975.31 [7]
08 (tie) Floyd Mayweather ShowTime Sports Boxing 2 years (2013–2015) $180,000,000+ $72,000,000+ $30,000,000+ [8]
08 (tie) Mark Teixeira New York Yankees Baseball 8 years (2009–2016) $180,000,000 $22,500,000 $138,888.89 [9]
09 CC Sabathia New York Yankees Baseball 7 years (2009–2015) $161,000,000 $23,000,000 $141,975.31 [10]
10 (tie) Matt Kemp Los Angeles Dodgers Baseball 8 years (2012–2019) $160,000,000 $20,000,000 $123,456.79 [11]
10 (tie) Manny Ramírez Boston Red Sox* Baseball 8 years (2001–2008) $160,000,000 $20,000,000 $123,456.79 [12]
12 Troy Tulowitzki Colorado Rockies Baseball 10 years (2011–2020) $157,750,000 $15,775,000 $97,376.54 [13]
13 Adrián González Boston Red Sox* Baseball 7 years (2012–2018) $154,000,000 $22,000,000 $135,802.67 [14]
14 Kimi Räikkönen Ferrari Auto racing 3 years (2007–2009) $153,000,000 $51,000,000 $2,942,307.69 [15]
15 Miguel Cabrera Detroit Tigers Baseball 8 years (2008–2015) $152,300,000 $19,037,500 $117,515.43 [16]
16 Todd Helton Colorado Rockies Baseball 11 years (2001–2011) $151,500,000 $13,772,727 $85,016.83 [17]
17 Lionel Andres Messi FC Barcelona Association football 8 years (2008–2016) $148,800,000 $18,600,000 $500,000.00 [18][19][20]
18 Cole Hamels Philadelphia Phillies Baseball 6 years (2013–2018) $144,000,000 $24,000,000 $148,148.15 [21]
19 Carl Crawford Boston Red Sox* Baseball 7 years (2011–2017) $142,000,000 $20,285,714 $125,220.46 [22]
20 Johan Santana New York Mets Baseball 6 years (2008–2013) $137,500,000 $22,916,667 $141,460.91 [23]
21 Kobe Bryant Los Angeles Lakers Basketball 7 years (2004–2011) $136,400,000 $19,485,714 $237,630.66 [24]
22 Alfonso Soriano Chicago Cubs Baseball 8 years (2007–2014) $136,000,000 $17,000,000 $104,938.27 [25]
23 Calvin Johnson Detroit Lions American Football 8 years (2012–2019) $132,000,000 $16,500,000 $1,031,250.00 [26]
24 Joe Flacco Baltimore Ravens American Football 6 years (2013–2018) $130,600,000 $20,100,000 $1,256,250.00 [27]
25 Michael Vick5 Atlanta Falcons* American Football 10 years (2005–2014) $130,000,000 $13,000,000 $812,500.00 [28]
26 Jermaine O'Neal Indiana Pacers* Basketball 7 years (2003–2010) $126,558,000 $18,079,714 $220,484.32 [29]
27 (tie) Kevin Garnett Minnesota Timberwolves* Basketball 6 years (1999–2005) $126,000,000 $21,000,000 $256,097.56 [30]
27 (tie) Rashard Lewis Orlando Magic* Basketball 6 years (2007–2013) $126,000,000 $21,000,000 $256,097.56 [31]
27 (tie) Vernon Wells Toronto Blue Jays* Baseball 7 years (2008–2014) $126,000,000 $18,000,000 $111,111.11 [32]
27 (tie) Barry Zito San Francisco Giants Baseball 7 years (2007–2013) $126,000,000 $18,000,000 $111,111.11 [32]
27 (tie) Jayson Werth Washington Nationals Baseball 7 years (2011–2017) $126,000,000 $18,000,000 $111,111.11 [33]
32 Ryan Howard Philadelphia Phillies Baseball 5 years (2013–2017) $125,000,000 $25,000,000 $154,320.99 [34]
33 (tie) Michael Schumacher Ferrari Auto racing 4 years (1996–1999) $124,000,000 $31,000,000 $1,907,692.30 [35]
33 (tie) Alexander Ovechkin Washington Capitals Ice hockey 13 years (2008–2021) $124,000,000 $9,538,461 $116,322.70 [36]
35 Chris Webber Sacramento Kings* Basketball 7 years (2001–2007) $122,718,750 $17,531,250 $213,795.73 [37]
36 Tim Duncan San Antonio Spurs Basketball 7 years (2003–2010) $122,007,704 $17,429,672 $212,556.98 [38]
37 Mike Hampton Colorado Rockies* Baseball 8 years (2001–2008) $121,000,000 $15,125,000 $93,364.20 [17]
38 (tie) Jason Giambi New York Yankees* Baseball 7 years (2002–2008) $120,000,000 $17,142,857 $105,820.10 [39]
38 (tie) Shaquille O'NealR Los Angeles Lakers* Basketball 7 years (1996–2003) $120,000,000 $17,142,857 $209,059.23 [40]
38 (tie) Matt Holliday St. Louis Cardinals Baseball 7 years (2010–2016) $120,000,000 $17,142,857 $105,820.10 [41]
38 (tie) Larry Fitzgerald Arizona Cardinals American Football 8 years (2011–2018) $120,000,000 $15,000,000 $937,500.00 [42]
42 Carson Palmer Cincinnati Bengals* American Football 9 years (2006–2014) $119,750,000‡ $13,305,555 $831,597.19 [43]
43 Carlos Beltrán New York Mets* Baseball 7 years (2005–2011) $119,000,000 $17,000,000 $104,938.27 [44]
44 Ken Griffey, Jr. Cincinnati Reds* Baseball 9 years (2000–2008) $116,500,000 $12,944,444 $79,903.98 [17]
45 Donovan McNabb Philadelphia Eagles* American Football 12 years (2002–2013) $115,000,000‡ $9,583,333 $598,958.31 [45]
46 Matt Cain San Francisco Giants Baseball 6 years (2012–2017) $112,500,000 $18,666,667 $115,226.34 [46]
47 Gilbert Arenas4 Washington Wizards* Basketball 6 Years (2008–2013) $111,000,000 $18,500,000 $225,609.76 [47]
48 Shea Weber Nashville Predators Ice hockey 14 years (2012–2026) $110,000,000 $7,857,143 $95,818.82 [48]
49 LeBron James Miami Heat Basketball 6 years (2010–2016) $109,837,500 $18,306,250 $223,246.95 [49]
50 José Reyes Miami Marlins Baseball 6 years (2012–2017) $106,000,000 $17,666,666 $109,053.50 [50]
51 Kevin BrownR Los Angeles Dodgers* Baseball 7 years (1999–2005) $105,000,000 $15,000,000 $92,592.59 [17]
52 Sidney Crosby Pittsburgh Penguins Ice Hockey 12 years (2013–2025) $104,400,000 $8,700,000 $106,097.56 [51]
53 Jason Kidd New Jersey Nets* Basketball 6 years (2003–2009) $103,572,000 $17,262,000 $210,512.20 [52]
54 (tie) Ben Roethlisberger Pittsburgh Steelers American Football 8 years (2008–2015) $102,000,000‡ $12,750,000 $796,875.00 [53]
54 (tie) Cristiano Ronaldo Real Madrid CF Association football 6 years (2009–2015) $102,000,000 $17,000,000 $400,000.00 [54][55]
56 (tie) Drew Brees New Orleans Saints American Football 5 years (2012–2016) $100,000,000 $20,000,000 $1,250,000.00 [citation needed]
56 (tie) Shaquille O'Neal Miami Heat* Basketball 5 years (2005–2010) $100,000,000 $20,000,000 $243,902.44 [56]
56 (tie) Carlos Lee Houston Astros Baseball 6 years (2007–2012) $100,000,000 $16,666,666 $102,880.65 [57]
56 (tie) Michael Vick Philadelphia Eagles American Football 6 years (2011–2016) $100,000,000‡ $16,666,667 $1,041,667.00 [58]
56 (tie) Albert Haynesworth Washington Redskins* American Football 7 years (2009–2016) $100,000,000‡ $14,285,714 $892,857.13 [59]
56 (tie) Albert Pujols St. Louis Cardinals* Baseball 7 years (2004–2010) $100,000,000 $14,285,714 $88,183.42 [60]
56 (tie) Brett Favre6 Green Bay Packers* American Football 10 years (2001–2010) $100,000,000 $10,000,000 $625,000.00 [61]
56 (tie) Ilya Kovalchuk New Jersey Devils Ice Hockey 15 years (2010–2025) $100,000,000 $6,666,667 $81,300.81 [60][62]

2 – Gross income figure. Net income estimated at $15,000,000 per year
 3 – Rodriguez opted out of this contract after the 2007 season
 4 – Gilbert went to prison for a year with a gun charge his contract was voided by the league for the Wizards
 5 – Vick's contract was terminated by the Atlanta Falcons after the 2006 season
 6 – Favre was traded by the Green Bay Packers to the New York Jets after the 2008 season. He was unconditionally released from his contract by the Jets after the 2009 season.
 7 – Based on regular season games only (excludes any playoff games), also in baseball, starting pitchers usually pitch every five games, resting during the interval between starts.
 R – retired
 free * – no longer on team
‡ – entirety of contract salary not guaranteed

Notes [edit]

  • 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.
  • Michael Vick was suspended by the NFL in 2007. The Atlanta Falcons were unsuccessful in a civil legal process to attempt to recoup $20 million of the $100 million in bonuses paid to Vick under terms of his contract extension.
  • 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.
  • David Beckham signed a 5-year deal with MLS soccer team Los Angeles Galaxy that was worth a reported $251 million,[63] but that figure included commercial endorsements; only $5 million a year of that figure is salary from the club, while the rest will come via existing endorsements and profit sharing with the club.[64][65]
  • Lewis Hamilton signed a contract with McLaren Mercedes worth at least ₤70 million ($138 million USD) over 5 seasons (2008–2012). However, no official contract details have been released by the team.[66]
  • In 2010, the NHL rejected a 17-year, $102 contract between the New Jersey Devils and Ilya Kovalchuk, saying that the contract was "a circumvention of the collective bargaining agreement." The later years of the contract would have paid Kovalchuk only $550,000 per year, which lowered the average value per year of the contract. (The NHL's salary cap is based on the average value per year.) [67]

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See also [edit]

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