List of largest sports contracts
Encyclopedia
The following is a list of the largest sports contracts. These figures include signing bonus
es but exclude options, buyouts, and endorsement deals. This list does not reflect the highest annual salaries or career earnings, only the largest contracts and thus is limited to athletes in team sports and auto racing
. Athletes in individual sport
s, such as golf
, tennis
, and boxing
are not employed by a team and usually earn money primarily through event winnings. This list also does not necessarily reflect actual money collected by the athletes, since some contracts are eventually terminated (usually due to an athlete either retiring or invoking his opt-out clause). Included in this list are contracts totaling at least $100 million USD
.
1 - Rodriguez opted out of this contract after the 2007 season
2 - Alonso opted out of this contract after the 2007 season
3 - Vick's contract was terminated by the Atlanta Falcons after the 2006 season
4 - Favre was traded by the Green Bay Packers to the New York Jets
after the 2008 season. He was unconditionally released from his contract by the Jets after the 2009 season.
5 - Based on regular season games only (excludes any playoff games), also in baseball, starting pitchers usually pitch every five games, resting during the interval between starts.
R - retired
free
* - no longer on team
‡ - entirety of contract salary not guaranteed
Signing bonus
A signing bonus or sign-on bonus is a sum of money paid to a new employee by a company as an incentive to join that company. They are often given as a way of making a compensation package more attractive to the employee, e.g., if the annual salary is lower than he or she desires...
es but exclude options, buyouts, and endorsement deals. This list does not reflect the highest annual salaries or career earnings, only the largest contracts and thus is limited to athletes in team sports and auto racing
Auto racing
Auto racing is a motorsport involving the racing of cars for competition. It is one of the world's most watched televised sports.-The beginning of racing:...
. Athletes in individual sport
Individual sport
-Examples:Examples of individual sports include:*Archery*Athletics*Bodybuilding*Badminton*Boomerang*Boxing*Chess*Croquet*Cycling*Darts*Equestrian*Fencing*Figure Skating*Golf*Gymnastics*Knife Throwing*Krav Maga*Judo*Lawn Bowls*Orienteering*Pilates...
s, such as golf
Golf
Golf is a precision club and ball sport, in which competing players use many types of clubs to hit balls into a series of holes on a golf course using the fewest number of strokes....
, tennis
Tennis
Tennis is a sport usually played between two players or between two teams of two players each . Each player uses a racket that is strung to strike a hollow rubber ball covered with felt over a net into the opponent's court. Tennis is an Olympic sport and is played at all levels of society at all...
, and boxing
Boxing
Boxing, also called pugilism, is a combat sport in which two people fight each other using their fists. Boxing is supervised by a referee over a series of between one to three minute intervals called rounds...
are not employed by a team and usually earn money primarily through event winnings. This list also does not necessarily reflect actual money collected by the athletes, since some contracts are eventually terminated (usually due to an athlete either retiring or invoking his opt-out clause). Included in this list are contracts totaling at least $100 million USD
United States dollar
The United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies....
.
Largest sports contracts
| Rank | Player | Team | Sport | Length of contract | Contract value (USD United States dollar The United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies.... ) |
Average per year (USD United States dollar The United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies.... ) |
Average per game5 (USD United States dollar The United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies.... ) |
Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Alex Rodriguez Alex Rodriguez Alexander Emmanuel "Alex" Rodriguez is an American professional baseball third baseman with the New York Yankees of Major League Baseball. Known popularly by his nickname A-Rod, he previously played shortstop for the Seattle Mariners and the Texas Rangers.Rodriguez is considered one of the best... |
New York Yankees New York Yankees The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division... |
Baseball Baseball Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond... |
10 years (2008-2017) | $275,000,000 | $27,500,000 | $169,753.09 | http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3153171 |
| 02 | Alex Rodriguez1 | Texas Rangers Texas Rangers (baseball) The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have... |
Baseball | 10 years (2001-2010) | $249,000,000 | $25,200,000 | $155,555.56 | http://static.espn.go.com/mlb/news/2000/1210/937273.html |
| 03 | Fernando Alonso Fernando Alonso Fernando Alonso Díaz is a Spanish Formula One racing driver and a two-time World Champion, who is currently racing for Ferrari.... |
Ferrari Scuderia Ferrari Scuderia Ferrari is the racing team division of the Ferrari automobile marque. The team currently only races in Formula One but has competed in numerous classes of motorsport since its formation in 1929, including sportscar racing.... |
Auto racing | 05 years (2011-2016) | $214,000,000 | $42,800,000 | $2,183,673.46 | http://www.hanzoautobuzz.com/2011/05/f1-2011-formula-one-driver-salary-list/ |
| 04 | Derek Jeter Derek Jeter Derek Sanderson Jeter is an American baseball shortstop who has played 17 years in Major League Baseball for the New York Yankees. A twelve-time All-Star and five-time World Series champion, Jeter's clubhouse presence, on-field leadership, hitting ability, and baserunning have made him a central... |
New York Yankees | Baseball | 10 years (2001-2010) | $189,000,000 | $18,900,000 | $116,666.67 | http://static.espn.go.com/classic/biography/s/Jeter_Derek.html |
| 05 | Joe Mauer Joe Mauer Joseph Patrick Mauer is a Major League Baseball catcher for the Minnesota Twins. He is the only catcher in Major League history to win three batting titles... |
Minnesota Twins | Baseball | 08 years (2011-2018) | $184,000,000 | $23,000,000 | $141,975.31 | http://wcco.com/local/mauer.contract.extension.2.1579043.html |
| 06 | Mark Teixeira Mark Teixeira Mark Charles Teixeira , nicknamed "Tex" is an American Major League Baseball player for the New York Yankees. Mostly a first baseman, he has also played third base and in the outfield... |
New York Yankees | Baseball | 08 years (2009-2016) | $180,000,000 | $22,500,000 | $138,888.89 | http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3790141 |
| 07 | CC Sabathia | New York Yankees | Baseball | 07 years (2009-2015) | $161,000,000 | $23,000,000 | $141,975.31 | http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20081219&content_id=3722891&vkey=hotstove2008&fext=.jsp |
| 08 (tie) | Manny Ramírez Manny Ramírez Manuel "Manny" Arístides Ramírez Onelcida is a retired Dominican-American professional baseball outfielder. He was recognized for great batting skill and power, a nine-time Silver Slugger and one of 25 players to hit 500 career home runs. Ramirez's 21 grand slams are third all-time, and his 28... |
Boston Red Sox Boston Red Sox The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"... * |
Baseball | 08 years (2001-2008) | $160,000,000 | $20,000,000 | $123,456.79 | http://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/mlbfs02.htm |
| 08 (tie) | Fernando Alonso Fernando Alonso Fernando Alonso Díaz is a Spanish Formula One racing driver and a two-time World Champion, who is currently racing for Ferrari.... 2 |
McLaren* | Auto racing Auto racing Auto racing is a motorsport involving the racing of cars for competition. It is one of the world's most watched televised sports.-The beginning of racing:... |
04 years (2007-2010) | $160,000,000 | $40,000,000 | $2,352,941.17 | http://www.inforally.sibiul.ro/formula1-news-8548-alonso_is_f1s_highest_paid_racer.html |
| 10 | Troy Tulowitzki Troy Tulowitzki Troy Trevor Tulowitzki , nicknamed Tulo, is a Major League Baseball shortstop for the Colorado Rockies.Tulowitzki's arm, range and instincts at shortstop are highly regarded... |
Colorado Rockies Colorado Rockies The Colorado Rockies are a Major League Baseball team based in Denver, Colorado. Established in 1991, they started play in 1993 and are in the West Division of the National League. The team is named after the Rocky Mountains... |
Baseball | 10 years (2011-2020) | $157,750,000 | $15,775,000 | $97,376.54 | http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=5868290 |
| 11 | Adrián González Adrián González Adrian Gonzalez is an American professional baseball first baseman with the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball.Gonzalez was the first overall pick in the 2000 Major League Baseball Draft by the Florida Marlins. He was traded to the Texas Rangers, and later to the San Diego Padres, where he... |
Boston Red Sox | Baseball | 07 years (2012-2018) | $154,000,000 | $22,000,000 | $135,802.67 | http://sports.espn.go.com/boston/mlb/news/story?id=6359978 |
| 12 | Kimi Räikkönen Kimi Räikkönen Kimi Matias Räikkönen , nicknamed Iceman, is a Finnish racing driver, who will drive in Formula One for Lotus in . After nine seasons racing in Formula One, in which he took the Formula One World Drivers' Championship, he competed in the World Rally Championship from 2009-2011.Räikkönen entered... |
Ferrari Scuderia Ferrari Scuderia Ferrari is the racing team division of the Ferrari automobile marque. The team currently only races in Formula One but has competed in numerous classes of motorsport since its formation in 1929, including sportscar racing.... |
Auto racing | 03 years (2007-2009) | $153,000,000 | $51,000,000 | $2,942,307.69 | http://www.forumula1.com/2006/f1/f1-news/raikkonen-is-f1s-highest-paid-driver |
| 13 | Miguel Cabrera Miguel Cabrera José Miguel Cabrera Torres nicknamed "Miggy", is a Venezuelan professional baseball first baseman with the Detroit Tigers of Major League Baseball. He bats and throws right-handed.... |
Detroit Tigers Detroit Tigers The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant... |
Baseball | 08 years (2008-2015) | $152,300,000 | $19,037,500 | $117,515.43 | http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jspymd=20080325&content_id=2457042&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb |
| 14 | Todd Helton Todd Helton Todd Lynn Helton is a Major League Baseball first baseman for the Colorado Rockies. He is a five-time All-Star, four-time Silver Slugger, four-time National League Player of the Month, and three-time Gold Glove winner.... |
Colorado Rockies | Baseball | 11 years (2001-2011) | $151,500,000 | $13,772,727 | $85,016.83 | http://static.espn.go.com/mlb/news/2001/0328/1163791.html |
| 15 | Carl Crawford Carl Crawford Carl Demonte Crawford is an American professional baseball outfielder who plays for the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball. He bats and throws left-handed... |
Boston Red Sox | Baseball | 07 years (2011-2017) | $142,000,000 | $20,285,714 | $125,220.46 | http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2010/12/red-sox-agree-to-sign-carl-crawford.html |
| 16 | Johan Santana Johan Santana Johan Alexander Santana Araque is a Major League Baseball left-handed starting pitcher who is currently playing for the New York Mets. He is a native of Venezuela.... |
New York Mets New York Mets The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League... |
Baseball | 06 years (2008-2013) | $137,500,000 | $22,916,667 | $141,460.91 | http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_ylt=AhITHnx_6e21aG3Td.5_awkRvLYF?slug=ap-mets-santana&prov=ap&type=lgns |
| 17 | Kobe Bryant Kobe Bryant Kobe Bean Bryant is an American professional basketball player who plays shooting guard for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association . Bryant enjoyed a successful high school basketball career at Lower Merion High School, where he was recognized as the top high school... |
Los Angeles Lakers Los Angeles Lakers The Los Angeles Lakers are an American professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association... |
Basketball Basketball Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules... |
07 years (2004-2011) | $136,400,000 | $19,485,714 | $237,630.66 | http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=1840336 |
| 18 | Alfonso Soriano Alfonso Soriano Alfonso Guilleard Soriano is a Major League Baseball outfielder for the Chicago Cubs.... |
Chicago Cubs Chicago Cubs The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National... |
Baseball | 08 years (2007-2014) | $136,000,000 | $17,000,000 | $104,938.27 | http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2668465 |
| 19 | Michael Vick Michael Vick Michael Dwayne Vick is an American football quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League... 3 |
Atlanta Falcons Atlanta Falcons The Atlanta Falcons are a professional American football team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are a member of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League... * |
American football American football American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by... |
10 years (2005-2014) | $130,000,000 | $13,000,000 | $812,500.00 | http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1355/is_3_107/ai_n9771537 |
| 20 | Jermaine O'Neal Jermaine O'Neal Jermaine Lee O'Neal is an American professional basketball player for the Boston Celtics. The 6 ft 11 in , 255 lb forward-center had a successful high school career and declared his eligibility for the 1996 NBA Draft straight out of high school... |
Indiana Pacers Indiana Pacers The Indiana Pacers are a professional basketball team based in Indianapolis, Indiana. They are members of the Central Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association... * |
Basketball | 07 years (2003-2010) | $126,558,000 | $18,079,714 | $220,484.32 | http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/nba/players/3120/ |
| 21 (tie) | Kevin Garnett Kevin Garnett Kevin Maurice Garnett is an American professional basketball player who currently plays power forward for the Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association . After a high school basketball career at Farragut Career Academy which included winning a national player of the year award, he... |
Minnesota Timberwolves Minnesota Timberwolves The Minnesota Timberwolves are an American professional basketball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . Founded in 1989, the team is currently owned by Glen Taylor... * |
Basketball | 06 years (1999-2005) | $126,000,000 | $21,000,000 | $256,097.56 | http://www.realgm.com/src_playerfile/332/kevin_garnett/ |
| 21 (tie) | Barry Zito Barry Zito Barry Zito is a Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher for the San Francisco Giants. He previously played seven seasons with the Oakland Athletics, where he won the 2002 American League Cy Young Award and made three All-Star teams.... |
San Francisco Giants San Francisco Giants The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division.... |
Baseball | 07 years (2007-2013) | $126,000,000 | $18,000,000 | $111,111.11 | http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2698288 |
| 21 (tie) | Vernon Wells | Toronto Blue Jays Toronto Blue Jays The Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League .... * |
Baseball | 07 years (2008-2014) | $126,000,000 | $18,000,000 | $111,111.11 | http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2698288 |
| 21 (tie) | Rashard Lewis Rashard Lewis Rashard Quovon Lewis is an American professional basketball player, currently with the NBA's Washington Wizards as a small forward and a power forward.-Seattle SuperSonics:... |
Orlando Magic Orlando Magic The Orlando Magic is a professional basketball team based in Orlando, Florida. They play in the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association and are currently coached by Stan Van Gundy... * |
Basketball | 06 years (2007-2013) | $126,000,000 | $21,000,000 | $256,097.56 | http://www.hoopshype.com/salaries/orlando.htm |
| 21 (tie) | Jayson Werth Jayson Werth Jayson Richard Gowan Werth is an American professional baseball outfielder for the Washington Nationals of Major League Baseball. He has previously played for the Toronto Blue Jays, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Philadelphia Phillies. He bats and throws right-handed.-Background:Werth was born in... |
Washington Nationals Washington Nationals The Washington Nationals are a professional baseball team based in Washington, D.C. The Nationals are a member of the Eastern Division of the National League of Major League Baseball . The team moved into the newly built Nationals Park in 2008, after playing their first three seasons in RFK Stadium... |
Baseball | 07 years (2011-2017) | $126,000,000 | $18,000,000 | $111,111.11 | http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=5888329 |
| 26 | Ryan Howard Ryan Howard Ryan James Howard is a Major League Baseball first baseman for the Philadelphia Phillies. Nicknamed "The Big Piece", Howard stands and weighs . He bats and throws left-handed.... |
Philadelphia Phillies Philadelphia Phillies The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League... |
Baseball | 05 years (2013-2017) | $125,000,000 | $25,000,000 | $154,320.99 | http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=5137456 |
| 27 (tie) | Michael Schumacher Michael Schumacher Michael Schumacher is a German Formula One racing driver for the Mercedes GP team. Famous for his eleven-year spell with Ferrari, Schumacher is a seven-time World Champion and is widely regarded as the greatest F1 driver of all time... |
Ferrari | Auto racing | 04 years (1996-1999) | $124,000,000 | $31,000,000 | $1,907,692.30 | http://www.forbes.com/2002/09/02/schumacher.html |
| 27 (tie) | Alexander Ovechkin Alexander Ovechkin Alexander Mikhaylovich Ovechkin is a Russian professional ice hockey left winger and captain of the Washington Capitals of the National Hockey League... |
Washington Capitals Washington Capitals The Washington Capitals are a professional ice hockey team based in Washington, D.C. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Since their founding in 1974, "The Caps" have won one conference championship to reach the 1998 Stanley Cup... |
Ice hockey Ice hockey Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take... |
13 years (2008-2021) | $123,000,000 | $9,538,461 | $116,322.70 | http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=3190712 |
| 29 | Chris Webber Chris Webber Mayce Edward Christopher "Chris" Webber, III , nicknamed C-Webb, is a retired American professional basketball player. He is a five-time NBA All-Star, a former All-NBA First Teamer, a former NBA Rookie of the Year, and a former #1 overall NBA Draftee... |
Sacramento Kings Sacramento Kings The Sacramento Kings are a professional basketball team based in Sacramento, California, United States. They are currently members of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association... * |
Basketball | 07 years (2001-2007) | $122,718,750 | $17,531,250 | $213,795.73 | http://www.realgm.com/src_playerfile/59/chris_webber/ |
| 30 | Tim Duncan Tim Duncan Timothy Theodore "Tim" Duncan is an American professional basketball player for the San Antonio Spurs of the National Basketball Association . The 6-foot 11-inch , 255-pound power forward/center is a four-time NBA champion, two-time NBA MVP, three-time NBA Finals MVP, and NBA Rookie of the Year... |
San Antonio Spurs San Antonio Spurs The San Antonio Spurs are an American professional basketball team based in San Antonio, Texas. They are part of the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association .... |
Basketball | 07 years (2003-2010) | $122,007,704 | $17,429,672 | $212,556.98 | http://web.archive.org/web/20070527142645/http://www.cbc.ca/cp/nba/061120/v112004A.html |
| 31 | Mike Hampton Mike Hampton Michael William Hampton is a left-handed former Major League Baseball pitcher. During his career, Hampton was well known for being one of the best hitting pitchers of his time, as well as for his large contract and frequent injuries.-Early career:Mike Hampton was drafted by the Seattle Mariners in... |
Colorado Rockies* | Baseball | 08 years (2001-2008) | $121,000,000 | $15,125,000 | $93,364.20 | http://static.espn.go.com/mlb/news/2001/0328/1163791.html |
| 32 (tie) | Shaquille O'Neal Shaquille O'Neal Shaquille Rashaun O'Neal , nicknamed "Shaq" , is a former American professional basketball player. Standing tall and weighing , he was one of the heaviest players ever to play in the NBA... |
Los Angeles Lakers* | Basketball | 07 years (1996-2003) | $120,000,000 | $17,142,857 | $209,059.23 | http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1355/is_21_98/ai_67151669 |
| 32 (tie) | Jason Giambi Jason Giambi Jason Gilbert Giambi is an American professional baseball first baseman with the Colorado Rockies of Major League Baseball.He was the American League MVP in 2000 while with the Oakland Athletics, and is a five-time All-Star who has led the American League in walks four times, in on base percentage... |
New York Yankees* | Baseball | 07 years (2002-2008) | $120,000,000 | $17,142,857 | $105,820.10 | http://static.espn.go.com/mlb/news/2001/1213/1295293.html |
| 32 (tie) | Matt Holliday Matt Holliday Matthew Thomas Holliday , nicknamed "Big Daddy", is an American Major League Baseball left fielder for the St. Louis Cardinals. Holliday was originally drafted by the Colorado Rockies in the seventh round of the 1998 Major League Baseball Draft.Holliday is a five-time All-Star and Silver Slugger... |
St. Louis Cardinals | Baseball | 07 years (2010-2016) | $120,000,000 | $17,142,857 | $105,820.10 | http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100107&content_id=7886746&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb |
| 32 (tie) | Cliff Lee Cliff Lee Clifton Phifer "Cliff" Lee is a Major League Baseball left-handed starting pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies. Lee has also played for the Cleveland Indians, the Seattle Mariners, and the Texas Rangers.... |
Philadelphia Phillies | Baseball | 05 years (2011-2016) | $120,000,000 | $24,000,000 | $148,148.15 | http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=5917145 |
| 32 (tie) | Larry Fitzgerald Larry Fitzgerald Larry Darnell Fitzgerald, Jr. is an American football wide receiver for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League, and currently ranks fourth all-time in league history in receiving yards per game for a career , behind Andre Johnson, Torry Holt, and Marvin Harrison... |
Arizona Cardinals | American Football | 08 years (2011-2018) | $120,000,000 | $15,000,000 | $937,500.00 | http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/6880867/arizona-cardinals-re-sign-larry-fitzgerald-eight-years-120-million-sources-say |
| 37 | Carson Palmer Carson Palmer Carson Palmer is an American professional football quarterback for the Oakland Raiders of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals first overall in the 2003 NFL Draft. He played collegiately at the University of Southern California and won the Heisman Trophy in 2002... |
Cincinnati Bengals Cincinnati Bengals The Cincinnati Bengals are a professional football team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the AFC's North Division in the National Football League . The Bengals began play in 1968 as an expansion team in the American Football League , and joined the NFL in 1970 in the AFL-NFL... * |
American football | 09 years (2006-2014) | $119,750,000‡ | $13,305,555 | $831,597.19 | http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2274314 |
| 38 | Carlos Beltrán Carlos Beltrán Carlos Iván Beltrán is a Major League Baseball outfielder.-Early life:In his youth, Beltrán excelled in many sports, with volleyball and baseball being his favorites. At his father's urging, he gave up volleyball to concentrate on baseball when he was seventeen... |
New York Mets New York Mets The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League... * |
Baseball | 07 years (2005-2011) | $119,000,000 | $17,000,000 | $104,938.27 | http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=1963185 |
| 39 | Ken Griffey, Jr. Ken Griffey, Jr. George Kenneth "Ken" Griffey, Jr. , nicknamed "Junior" and "The Kid", is a former Major League Baseball outfielder and during his final years, designated hitter... |
Cincinnati Reds Cincinnati Reds The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890.... * |
Baseball | 09 years (2000-2008) | $116,500,000 | $12,944,444 | $79,903.98 | http://static.espn.go.com/mlb/news/2001/0328/1163791.html |
| 40 | Donovan McNabb Donovan McNabb Donovan Jamal McNabb is an American football quarterback who is currently a free agent. He was the Philadelphia Eagles' quarterback from 1999 to 2009 and spent the 2010 season with the Washington Redskins and a portion of the 2011 season with the Minnesota Vikings. In college, McNabb played... |
Philadelphia Eagles Philadelphia Eagles The Philadelphia Eagles are a professional American football team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League... * |
American football | 12 years (2002-2013) | $115,000,000‡ | $9,583,333 | $598,958.31 | http://www.askmen.com/men/sports_60/64c_donovan_mcnabb.html |
| 41 | Gilbert Arenas Gilbert Arenas Gilbert Jay Arenas, Jr. is an American professional basketball player for the Orlando Magic of the National Basketball Association . He plays as a point guard and shooting guard.... |
Washington Wizards Washington Wizards The Washington Wizards are a professional basketball team based in Washington, D.C., previously known as Washington Bullets. They play in the National Basketball Association .-Early years:... * |
Basketball | 06 Years (2008-2013) | $111,000,000 | $18,500,000 | $225,609.76 | http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/07/03/AR2008070304161.html |
| 42 | LeBron James LeBron James LeBron Raymone James is an American professional basketball player for the Miami Heat of the National Basketball Association . Nicknamed "King James", he was a three-time "Mr. Basketball" of Ohio in high school, and was highly promoted in the national media as a future NBA superstar while a... |
Miami Heat | Basketball | 06 years (2010-2016) | $109,837,500 | $18,306,250 | $223,246.95 | http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1208/is_n45_v220/ai_18832260 |
| 43 | Kevin BrownR | Los Angeles Dodgers Los Angeles Dodgers The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming... * |
Baseball | 07 years (1999-2005) | $105,000,000 | $15,000,000 | $92,592.59 | http://static.espn.go.com/mlb/news/2001/0328/1163791.html |
| 44 | Jason Kidd Jason Kidd Jason Frederick Kidd is an American professional basketball point guard who plays for the Dallas Mavericks of the National Basketball Association. Raised in Oakland, California, Kidd played college basketball at the University of California, Berkeley and was drafted second overall by the Dallas... |
New Jersey Nets New Jersey Nets The New Jersey Nets are a professional basketball team based in Newark, New Jersey. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association... * |
Basketball | 06 years (2003-2009) | $103,572,000 | $17,262,000 | $210,512.20 | http://www.realgm.com/src_playerfile/162/jason_kidd/ |
| 45 | Ben Roethlisberger Ben Roethlisberger Benjamin Todd "Ben" Roethlisberger , nicknamed Big Ben, is an American football quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Steelers in the first round in the 2004 NFL Draft... |
Pittsburgh Steelers Pittsburgh Steelers The Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC... |
American Football | 08 years (2008-2015) | $102,000,000‡ | $12,750,000 | $796,875.00 | http://postgazette.com/pg/08063/862127-66.stm |
| 46 (tie) | Albert Pujols Albert Pujols José Alberto Pujols Alcántara , better known as Albert Pujols , is a Dominican-American professional baseball player, who is currently a free agent... |
St. Louis Cardinals St. Louis Cardinals The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to... |
Baseball | 07 years (2004-2010) | $100,000,000 | $14,285,714 | $88,183.42 | http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/4201009/ |
| 46 (tie) | Carlos Lee Carlos Lee Carlos Noriel Lee is a first basemen in Major League Baseball who plays for the Houston Astros. He bats and throws right-handed.... |
Houston Astros Houston Astros The Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field... |
Baseball | 06 years (2007-2012) | $100,000,000 | $16,666,666 | $102,880.65 | http://www.kffl.com/player/5504/mlb |
| 46 (tie) | Shaquille O'Neal | Miami Heat Miami Heat The Miami Heat is a professional basketball team based in Miami, Florida, United States. The team is a member of the Southeast Division in the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association . They play their home games at American Airlines Arena in Downtown Miami... * |
Basketball | 05 years (2005-2010) | $100,000,000 | $20,000,000 | $243,902.44 | http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2122716 |
| 46 (tie) | Brett Favre Brett Favre Brett Lorenzo Favre is a former American football quarterback who spent the majority of his career with the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League . He was a 20-year veteran of the NFL, having played quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons , Green Bay Packers , New York Jets and Minnesota... 4 |
Green Bay Packers Green Bay Packers The Green Bay Packers are an American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Packers are the current NFL champions... * |
American Football | 10 years (2001-2010) | $100,000,000 | $10,000,000 | $625,000.00 | http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/story?columnist=pasquarelli_len&id=1952387 |
| 46 (tie) | Albert Haynesworth Albert Haynesworth -Tennessee Titans:Haynesworth was elected to the Pro Bowl for the first time for the 2007 NFL season. During this season following the stomping incident, he ranked second on the team with six sacks in his 11 games played up to the selection, led or tied for the team-high in total tackles three... |
Washington Redskins Washington Redskins The Washington Redskins are a professional American football team and members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team plays at FedExField in Landover, Maryland, while its headquarters and training facility are at Redskin Park in Ashburn,... * |
American Football | 07 years (2009-2016) | $100,000,000‡ | $14,285,714 | $892,857.13 | http://www.philly.com/dailynews/sports/20090228__Skins_sign_Haynesworth_to__100M__7-year_contract.html |
| 46 (tie) | Ilya Kovalchuk Ilya Kovalchuk Ilya Valerevich Kovalchuk is a Russian professional ice hockey left winger who is an alternate captain of the New Jersey Devils of the National Hockey League. Drafted first overall in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft by the Atlanta Thrashers, he began his NHL career in 2001–02 with Atlanta and was... |
New Jersey Devils New Jersey Devils The New Jersey Devils are a professional ice hockey team based in Newark, New Jersey, United States. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League... |
Ice Hockey | 15 years (2010-2025) | $100,000,000 | $6,666,667 | $81,300.81 | http://capgeek.com/players/display.php?id=339 |
| 46 (tie) | Michael Vick Michael Vick Michael Dwayne Vick is an American football quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League... |
Philadelphia Eagles Philadelphia Eagles The Philadelphia Eagles are a professional American football team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League... |
American Football | 06 years (2011-2016) | $100,000,000‡ | $16,666,667 | $1,041,667.00 | http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/6907779/philadelphia-eagles-michael-vick-reach-6-year-100m-deal-source-says |
1 - Rodriguez opted out of this contract after the 2007 season
2 - Alonso opted out of this contract after the 2007 season
3 - Vick's contract was terminated by the Atlanta Falcons after the 2006 season
4 - Favre was traded by the Green Bay Packers to the New York Jets
New York Jets
The New York Jets are a professional football team headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, representing the New York metropolitan area. The team is a member of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
after the 2008 season. He was unconditionally released from his contract by the Jets after the 2009 season.
5 - Based on regular season games only (excludes any playoff games), also in baseball, starting pitchers usually pitch every five games, resting during the interval between starts.
R - retired
free
* - no longer on team
‡ - entirety of contract salary not guaranteed
See also
- Gaius Appuleius Diocles
- List of highest paid baseball players
- Transfer (association football), contains a list of most expensive transfers in association football