Biggest contracts in sports history: How Shohei Ohtani's new deal obliterates record for MLB, other stars

Kyle Irving

Biggest contracts in sports history: How Shohei Ohtani's new deal obliterates record for MLB, other stars image

The biggest story of the MLB offseason has come to a close. Shohei Ohtani announce he has signed with the Dodgers for a MLB record-shattering $700 million contract across 10 years.

The monster contract naturally makes the two-way star not only the highest-paid player in MLB history, but in the history of North American sports as well.

Ohtani's deal clears his former teammate Mike Trout's 12-year, $426.5 million contract that he signed with the Angels back in 2019. It also surpasses Chiefs star QB Patrick Mahomes' monster 10-year, $503 million contract that made NFL history in 2020.

How does Ohtani's freshly signed deal with Los Angeles stack up against the biggest contracts in MLB and North American sports history? The Sporting News takes a closer look below.

MORE: Details to know about Shohei Ohtani's $700 million contract

Biggest contracts in MLB history

Ohtani's deal gives him the title for both the most lucrative contract and the highest average annual value in MLB. It is the first $500 million deal 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
Yoshinobu Yamamoto Dodgers 12 $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

Ohtani's $700 million contract soars past Mahomes for the largest deal in North American sports history by nearly $200 million. He's set to earn $70 annually, which would give Ohtani the second-richest AAV on any contract by an athlete in North America.

Professional boxer Canelo Alvarez held that title, earning $73 million a year in his contract with DAZN. NBA All-Star Damian Lillard has the highest AAV among team sport athletes, earning $60.9 million a year after signing a monster two-year max extension in 2022. 

FAGAN: Winners and losers from Shohei Ohtani sweepstakes

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

Kyle Irving

Kyle Irving Photo

You read that wrong – not Kyrie Irving. From Boston, graduated from the University of New Hampshire. Sixth season as a content producer for NBA.com's Global editions. Covering the NBA Draft has become his annual "dream come true" moment on the job. Irving has a soft spot for pass-first point guards, with Rajon Rondo and Steve Nash being two of his favorite players of all time.