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.

Keep reading to find out which players inked the deals that made them the highest-paid athletes in history.

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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Andrew Lisa contributed to the reporting for this article.

Photo disclaimer: Please note that photos are for representation purposes only and may not reflect the athlete’s current team.