As sports contracts continue to break records, the race for the title of the largest deal in history has produced a lineup of astonishing figures. From baseball to soccer, athletes across the globe are landing contracts worth hundreds of millions, showcasing the ever-growing financial power of professional sports. This article explores the most lucrative contracts ever signed, highlighting the athletes and the staggering amounts involved.
The Changing Landscape of Sports Contracts
In March 2019, Mike Trout made headlines when he signed a 12-year, $430 million contract with the Los Angeles Angels, a deal believed to be the largest guaranteed contract awarded to an athlete at that time. Trout’s average salary amounted to approximately $36 million per year.
However, it soon became apparent that Lionel Messi was quietly raking in a far more substantial sum under his contract with FC Barcelona. In January 2021, Spanish newspaper El Mundo leaked details of Messi’s four-year contract, revealing an astronomical value of $674 million. This revelation shifted the narrative globally, showing that Messi, with an average annual salary of $168.5 million, actually held the title for the most lucrative sports contract up to that point.
The record for the largest sports contract has since continued to evolve. December 9, 2023, marked a new milestone when Shohei Ohtani signed a 10-year, $700 million deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers, surpassing all previous contracts in headline value. Barely two years later, this record was eclipsed by Juan Soto’s remarkable 15-year, $765 million contract with the New York Mets.
Ranking the Most Lucrative Sports Contracts
The following list ranks contracts based on total value at the time they were signed, rather than whether the full amount is ultimately paid or if the player remains with the original team. In total, 43 contracts signed by 42 athletes are included, with Major League Baseball dominating the field with 26 entries.
#1: Juan Soto, New York Mets – 15 years, $765 million
In late 2024, Juan Soto secured a monumental 15-year contract worth $765 million with the New York Mets, locking in the talented outfielder until his age-40 season. This massive extension not only reaffirmed Soto’s status as a superstar but also raised the bar for long-term contracts in baseball.
#2: Shohei Ohtani, Los Angeles Dodgers – 10 years, $700 million
Shohei Ohtani made history in December 2023 when he signed a 10-year deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers worth $700 million, becoming the highest-paid athlete in baseball history. Ohtani’s contract, which surpasses Mike Trout’s previous record with the Angels, features an average salary of $70 million—a substantial increase from his earnings with the Angels.
#3: Kylian Mbappé, Paris Saint-Germain – 3 years, $681 million
In 2022, Kylian Mbappé extended his contract with Paris Saint-Germain for three years at a staggering $681 million, which included a substantial signing bonus of $180 million. His decision to remain with PSG reflected his commitment to the club’s ambitious goals amidst interest from other top European teams.
#4: Lionel Messi, FC Barcelona – 4 years, $674 million
In 2017, Messi’s four-year, $674 million contract with FC Barcelona was leaked, cementing his position as the holder of the largest sports contract at that time. This lucrative deal encompassed base salary, image rights, and performance-based bonuses, averaging $168.5 million annually.
#5: Neymar, Paris Saint-Germain – 6 years, $595 million
Neymar’s record-setting transfer from FC Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain in August 2017, costing $263 million, was followed by a six-year contract valued at approximately $595 million, which included wages and bonuses that reshaped football economics.
#6: Cristiano Ronaldo, Al-Nassr – 2.5 years, $536 million
By signing a 2.5-year contract with Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr worth $536 million in December 2022, Cristiano Ronaldo solidified his reputation as the world’s highest-paid athlete. While his base salary is reported at $75 million, additional bonuses and commercial agreements could increase his earnings significantly.
#7: Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs – 10 years, $503 million
After winning the NFL MVP award in 2018 and a Super Bowl the following season, Patrick Mahomes signed a 10-year, $503 million extension with the Kansas City Chiefs in July 2020, making it the first sports contract to exceed half a billion dollars.
#8: Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Toronto Blue Jays – 14 years, $500 million
On April 2, 2025, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. secured a historic 14-year, $500 million extension with the Toronto Blue Jays, emphasizing the team’s commitment to building around their star slugger.
#9: Karim Benzema, Al-Ittihad Club – 2 years, $436 million
Karim Benzema signed a 2-year, $436 million deal with Saudi soccer club Al-Ittihad in June 2023, joining Cristiano Ronaldo in earning the highest average annual salary in sports history at $214,534,727.
#10: Mike Trout, Los Angeles Angels – 12 years, $430 million
Despite his substantial contract, Trout’s individual accolades have not yet translated to significant playoff success for the Angels, with the team only making one postseason appearance since he became a full-time player in 2012.
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