The Biggest Contracts in American Sports

Today, sports have become the biggest spectacle on our planet, and sportsmen earn the biggest bucks. In 1979, Nolan Ryan was the first professional athlete to be paid $1 Million a year. Today, player salaries have skyrocketed, to say the least.  Now, Alex Rodriguez and the Yankees closed a deal that made A-Rod the highest-paid professional athlete in history…again.  So, let us take a look at the highest American sports contracts ever signed. All numbers mentioned in this report have been garnered from various news sources, including periodicals, press releases and internet publications (such as ESPN).

There’s a 5-way Tie for the 10th largest all-time American sports contract. Between 1998 and 2007, Barry Zito, Kevin Garnett, Jermaine O’Neal, Vernon Wells and Rashard Lewis all inked contracts in the neighborhood of $126 Million. Each contract was initially for 6-7 Years, netting each player between $18-21 Million per year.

At ninth place is Peyton Manning – Indianapolis Colts – $132 Million for 7 years – Signed in 2005 Selected 1st overall in 1998, Peyton has since remained with the Colts, and he’s been well compensated for his loyalty. Arguably the best Quarterback of all-time, his earnings are well deserved.

At eighth place is Alfonso Soriano – Chicago Cubs – $136 Million for 8 years – Signed in 2007 Starting his professional career in Japan, his original salary in that country was a paltry $40,000 a year. Rescued by the Yankees in 1998, he rose to stardom during their three consecutive World Series titles. After being traded for A-Rod, he bounced around the league until he settled down in Chicago, who this year signed him to a huge 8 year, $136 Million contract.

Seventh place Kobe Bryant – LA Lakers – $136.4 Million for 7 years – Signed in 2004 the franchise player for the Lakers for the entirety of his career, in 2004, amidst negative media attention he chose to sign with the team under a huge $136.4 Million contract over 7 years. Despite considering a deal with the cross-town Clippers, he couldn’t turn down the Lakers’ offer.

Number six in the list is Todd Helton – Colorado Rockies – $141.5 Million for 11 years – Signed in 2001 In 2000, in the midst of an existing contract, Todd Helton enjoyed the best season of his career. Hitting .372, with 147 RBI’s, the Rockiesextended his existing contract by $141.5 Million for 9 more years. He’ll recieve nearly $151.5 Million from 2001-2011. Leading the Rockies to the World Series in 2007, their investment is certainly starting to pay off.

At number five we have Manny Ramirez – Boston Red Sox – $160 Million for 8 years – Signed in 2001 Reinforcing their bats in 2001 with the addition of superstar Manny Ramirez, the Red Sox went on to win 2 World Series titles with his presence. For Boston fans, the result was priceless, and the huge salary was definitely worth it.

On the fourth place Michael Vick – Atlanta Falcons – $167 Million for 10 years – Signed in 2005 Vick’s recent legal problems have put his NFL career on ice indefinitely, but that doesn’t change the fact that in 2005 he signed the largest contract in NFL history – $167 Million for 10 years. After Vick’s off-the-field issues this fall, the Falcons organization have been trying to recouperate portions of his contract, and most of this enormous contract may be in jeopardy. It’s likely that that a large portion, if not all of Vick’s remaining contract will not be paid to the fallen superstar.

Third place goes to Derek Jeter – New York Yankees – $189 Million for 10 years – Signed in 2001 With the Yankees organization for the entirety of his career, Jeter signed a huge contract in 2001, the same year as A-Rod’s record-breaking contract. The captain of the Yankees is a perennial producer of solid numbers, the Yankees have ensured strong leadership for the long term with Jeter in the lineup.

On second place we have Alex Rodriguez – Texas Rangers – $252 Million for 10 years – Signed in 2001, pulling away from the pack, A-Rod set the record for largest sports contract of all time. Arguably one of the best performers of all-time, his actual value is determined by the highest bidder, like the Rangers in 2001. Throughout his career, A-Rod has been all about breaking records, and in 2007 he opted out of this contract in hopes of breaking his own record, and he may be doing just that.

And the most paid athlete is Alex Rodriguez – NY Yankees – $275 Million for 10 years A-Rod set a new record for being the highest paid professional athlete… ever. After opting out of the last 3 years of his previously gargantuan record-setting contract, to sign a longer and more lucrative deal $275 Million for 10 years.