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

PlayerSigned TeamLengthValue
Shohei OhtaniDodgers10$700 million
Mike TroutAngels12$426.5 million
Mookie BettsDodgers12$365 million
Aaron JudgeYankees9$360 million
Manny MachadoPadres11$350 million
Francisco LindorMets10$341 million
Fernando Tatis Jr.Padres14$340 million
Bryce HarperPhillies13$330 million
Giancarlo StantonMarlins13$325 million
Corey SeagerRangers10$325 million
Yoshinobu YamamotoDodgers12$325 million

Average annual value

PlayerSigned TeamLengthValue
Shohei OhtaniDodgers10$70 million
Max ScherzerMets3$43.3 million
Justin VerlanderMets2$43.3 million
Aaron JudgeYankees9$40 million
Jacob deGromRangers5$37 million
Gerrit ColeYankees9$36 million
Mike TroutAngels12$35.5 million
Carlos CorreaTwins3$35.1 million
Anthony RendonAngels7$35 million
Stephen StrasburgNationals7$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

AthleteTeamYearsValue
Shohei OhtaniAngels10$700 million
Patrick MahomesChiefs10$503 million
Mike TroutAngels12$426.5 million
Canelo ÁlvarezDAZN5$365 million
Mookie BettsDodgers12$365 million
Aaron JudgeYankees9$360 million
Manny MachadoPadres11$350 million
Francisco LindorMets10$341 million
Fernando Tatís Jr.Padres14$340 million
Bryce HarperPhillies13$330 million

Average annual value

AthleteTeamYearsAAV
Canelo ÁlvarezDAZN5$73 million
Shohei OhtaniDodgers10$70 million
Damian LillardBucks2$60.9 million
Anthony DavisLakers3$59 million
Giannis AntetokounmpoBucks3$59 million
Jaylen BrownCeltics5$57.7 million
Devin BookerSuns4$55.7 million
Karl-Anthony TownsTimberwolves4$55.6 million
Nikola JokicNuggets5$55.2 million
Joe BurrowBengals5$55 million

Kyle Irving

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.