Biggest Sports Contract Of All Times: Shohei Ohtani’s Deal Broke MLB’s Record

Shohei Ohtani ultimately touched down where most people anticipated him to. Ohtani made his agreement with the Los Angeles Dodgers official on Saturday afternoon. The parameters of the contract are astounding: $700 million over 10 years. With a $673 million contract, signed by Lionel Messi with FC Barcelona, it is the richest contract in sports history.

Biggest Sports Contract Of All Times: Shohei Ohtani’s Deal Broke MLB’s Record

MLB.com reports that Ohtani’s contract has “unprecedented deferrals,” which were purportedly Ohtani’s idea. In order to allow the Dodgers to invest more in the squad surrounding him, he sought to reduce his competitive balance tax number. Ohtani receives deferred pay in its whole. As of right now, the deferrals’ precise terms are unknown.

The average yearly worth of a player’s contract determines his competitive balance tax (CBT) number; hence, a straight 10-year deal worth $700 million would carry a payroll-busting $70 million CBT hit for 10 years. Deferrals lower the present-day value of the contract and thus the CBT hit because $1 today is worth more than $1 tomorrow.

Shohei Ohtani has excelled not just baseball players but also other athletes. His current contract is more than that of Lionel Messi, who signed a $674 million deal with FC Barcelona, and quarterback Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs ($450 million).

This illustrates the potential that Ohtani has for the team. His accomplishments have amazed his followers beyond their wildest expectations. Everywhere he goes, he even has his own distinct fan following with him.

Biggest contracts in MLB history

Overall value

Player Signed Team Length Value
Shohei Ohtani Dodgers 10 $700 million
Mike Trout Angels 12 $426.5 million
Mookie Betts Dodgers 12 $365 million
Aaron Judge Yankees 9 $360 million
Manny Machado Padres 11 $350 million
Francisco Lindor Mets 10 $341 million
Fernando Tatis Jr. Padres 14 $340 million
Bryce Harper Phillies 13 $330 million
Giancarlo Stanton Marlins 13 $325 million
Corey Seager Rangers 10 $325 million

Average annual value

Player Signed Team Length Value
Shohei Ohtani Dodgers 10 $70 million
Max Scherzer Mets 3 $43.3 million
Justin Verlander Mets 2 $43.3 million
Aaron Judge Yankees 9 $40 million
Jacob deGrom Rangers 5 $37 million
Gerrit Cole Yankees 9 $36 million
Mike Trout Angels 12 $35.5 million
Carlos Correa Twins 3 $35.1 million
Anthony Rendon Angels 7 $35 million
Stephen Strasburg Nationals 7 $35 million

Biggest contracts in North American sports history

Overall value

Athlete Team Years Value
Shohei Ohtani Angels 10 $700 million
Patrick Mahomes Chiefs 10 $503 million
Mike Trout Angels 12 $426.5 million
Canelo Álvarez DAZN 5 $365 million
Mookie Betts Dodgers 12 $365 million
Aaron Judge Yankees 9 $360 million
Manny Machado Padres 11 $350 million
Francisco Lindor Mets 10 $341 million
Fernando Tatís Jr. Padres 14 $340 million
Bryce Harper Phillies 13 $330 million

Average annual value

Athlete Team Years AAV
Canelo Álvarez DAZN 5 $73 million
Shohei Ohtani Dodgers 10 $70 million
Damian Lillard Bucks 2 $60.9 million
Anthony Davis Lakers 3 $59 million
Giannis Antetokounmpo Bucks 3 $59 million
Jaylen Brown Celtics 5 $57.7 million
Devin Booker Suns 4 $55.7 million
Karl-Anthony Towns Timberwolves 4 $55.6 million
Nikola Jokic Nuggets 5 $55.2 million
Joe Burrow Bengals 5 $55 million

 

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