TAKE IT TO THE BANK
WHO HAVE BEEN THE STAR NAMES TO SIGN THE MOST LUCRATIVE DEALS IN SPORTS HISTORY? WE REVEAL THE TOP
The expectation was that the contract would be worth some 500 million US dollars, perhaps even stretching to above the $600 million mark. The sort of money that once converted to rands becomes almost unfathomable.
But in the end the deal was for $700 million (around R13 billion) as Shohei Ohtani was wildly beyond expectation, breaking records when the Japanese baseballer signed for Los Angeles Dodgers. It is the biggest contract in sporting history, a 10-year deal that keeps the 29-year-old at the club for the next decade.
These the 10 richest contracts in all of sports:
SHOHEI OHTANI, LOS ANGELES DODGERS
SPORT: BASEBALL
VALUE: YEARS, MILLION
USA Today columnist Bob Nightengale says: “Ohtani is basically Taylor Swift in baseball spikes.” And he reckons they will make their money back. “Every Dodgers game will now be broadcast live in Japan. They will have billboards touting Ohtani all over Southern
California. There will be lucrative Japanese advertising in the rotating signs behind home plate at Dodger Stadium. There will be sponsorships. Merchandise. Jerseys. Caps. Licensing. You name it, Ohtani will be on it.”
LIONEL MESSI, BARCELONA
SPORT: FOOTBALL
VALUE: YEARS, MILLION
This was a financially crippling deal for Barcelona, signed in 2017, as they sought to keep their Argentine superstar during the prime of his career. When Messi finally wanted to leave as the club’s prospects began to wane, it was revealed the contract had a $700-million buyout clause. He eventually departed for Paris St Germain as a free agent in 2021 when the contract ran out.
PATRICK MAHOMES, KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
SPORT: AMERICAN FOOTBALL
VALUE: YEARS, MILLION
The man with the golden arm, and a three-time Super Bowl winner, agreed to a contract extension in 2020. At the time, it was the largest contract in NFL history in terms of total value. Since then, the Kansas City Chiefs have restructured his contract, which is to see him become the highest-paid NFL player over a fourseason period. He is now being paid $210.6 million until 2026 in a new deal.
KARIM BENZEMA, AL ITTIHAD
SPORT: FOOTBALL
VALUE: YEARS, MILLION
The deal that opened the floodgates for others to flow to Saudi Arabia, eclipsing what was offered to Cristiano Ronaldo at Al-Nassr. Benzema had long been
linked with a big-money move to the Middle East and was unveiled as an Al-Ittihad player after his contract at Real Madrid ended. The France international signed a two-year deal with an option for a further year, plus extra payments for publicly supporting Saudi Arabia’s bid to host the 2034 World Cup.
MIKE TROUT, LOS ANGELES ANGELS
SPORT: BASEBALL
VALUE: YEARS, . MILLION
A three-time American League MVP and 11-time All-Star, Trout signed his multi-year deal before the 2019 season, effectively under contract through 2030. But it has not gone well for him, hampered by injury, sparking rumours of a move. “I think the biggest thing right now and taking the easy way out is just to ask for a trade,” Trout says. “There might be a time. Maybe. I really haven’t thought about this. But when I signed that contract, I’m loyal. I want to win a championship here.”
MOOKIE BETTS, LOS ANGELES DODGERS
SPORT: BASEBALL
VALUE: YEARS, MILLION
Another massive signing by the Dodgers. The outfielder and shortstop signed his record-setting 12year contract extension in 2020, just over four months after he was acquired in a trade with the Boston Red Sox. Betts earned himself a $65 million signing bonus, split up in 15 staggered annual payments every November 1 beginning in 2021.
AARON JUDGE, NEW YORK YANKEES
SPORT: BASEBALL
VALUE: YEARS, MILLION
The slugger agreed to re-sign with the Yankees in December despite an even higher offer from San Diego.
Last year, Judge had arguably the most dominant offensive season in the history of baseball, hitting an American League record 62 home runs, scoring 133 runs and driving in 131.
FERNANDO TATIS JR., SAN DIEGO PADRES SPORT: BASEBALL VALUE: YEARS, MILLION
The shortstop from the Dominican Republic is 25 years old and the Padres are banking on him being a star for a long time to come.