The biggest contracts in sports

• The superstars in sports usually get paid handsomely for their prowess
• Japanese professional baseball player has the biggest contract ever in sports
• The list of the biggest contracts in sports is dominated by footballers

What are the biggest contracts in sports? Just earning a spot among the stars in the sporting world requires immense cultivation of skill, sacrifice and determination, proof being a professional athlete is no walk in the park. As a result, the biggest names in sports usually get paid handsomely for their prowess.

Whether its football, basketball or even boxing, you’ll notice the huge difference in the earnings of the top stars and the others. In this article, we are going to take a look at the biggest deals ever signed in the sporting world and the amount involved. Stay with us to the end to know if your favourite athlete made the list.

1. Shohei Ohtani

Shohei Ohtani was offered the biggest contract in sports by the Los Angeles Dodgers last year. Photo/ Sportsnet.

Someone made a joke that Ohtani is going to need a caravan of Brink’s trucks by the time his contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers expires.

Ohtani, a Japanese professional baseball player, was offered a contract of a 10-year $700 million contract by the Los Angles Dodgers last year. This means that he will be earning an annual salary of $70 million, topping a selected group of athletes who make $50 million or more fore their respective teams.

Well, he deserves it considering his outstanding performances in the Major League Baseball (MLB). The legend is the holder of very many baseball records.

2. Lionel Messi

One of the biggest names in the world of sports, Lionel Messi has won almost every major title as a player. Winning eight Ballon d’Ors is proof that Messi is the legend of the game.

During his time with FC Barcelona, the Argentine playmaker was offered a four year deal worth $674 million, topping the list of the biggest contracts in sports at that time. He left Barcelona after the expiry of the deal in 2021 as a free agent because the club could not sign an extension due to the financial restrictions by the Spanish League.

Lionel Messi. Photo/ Barca Blaugranes.

After a short spell in France with Paris Saint-Germain, where he was also offered a massive contract, Messi joined MLS club Inter Miami last summer.

3. Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo is not just a player but a brand also. When he moved to the Saudi Pro League at the start of last year, he signed one of the biggest contracts in sports. Well, that explains why he opted to be mocked by fans by going to play in a league that had no top players at the time.

According to various sources on the web, the Portuguese forward has a contract that runs for two and a half years and will see him pocket a whopping $533 million. He currently plays for Al Nassr and has been at the top of his game since joining them.

Cristiano Ronaldo. Photo/ Fox Sports.

4. Patrick Mahomes

The face of American football now, Patrick Mahomes has one of the biggest contracts in sports. His exploits in the field resulted to him being offered a deal which sees him earn an annual salary of $45 million.

Mahomes has won the Super Bowl three times, and he doesn’t look like he is ready to quit considering he is just 28. His other achievements include being named the NFL’s MVP in 2018 and 2022, being the league’s Offensive Player of the Year in 2018.

5. Karim Benzema

Winning the UEFA Champions League five times and also claiming the prestigious Ballon d’Or award, Benzema is considered one of the greatest players of all time.

After a successful spell with Real Madrid, the Frenchman joined Saudi Pro League club Al Ittihad signing one of the biggest contracts in sports. The deal is worth $436 million.

Karim Benzema. Photo/ Goal.com.

Conclusion