Juan Soto has officially set the sports world ablaze with his groundbreaking 15-year, $765 million contract with the New York Mets, a deal that is now the richest known contract in the history of professional sports. This record-breaking agreement eclipses previous milestones, including those in the NFL, NBA, NHL, and MLB. But how does Soto’s historic deal stack up against some of the largest contracts in other major sports leagues? Let’s break it down.
Juan Soto’s new deal surpasses all previous sports contracts in both total value and length, marking a monumental shift in MLB’s financial landscape. The 25-year-old outfielder will earn an average of $51 million per year over the next 15 years, with no deferred payments. Soto’s contract eclipses Shohei Ohtani’s $700 million, 10-year deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers, which had set a new standard in MLB just a year ago. However, Soto’s contract surpasses Ohtani’s in total value and duration, solidifying his place as one of the sport’s premier stars.
NFL: Patrick Mahomes – $477 Million (10 years) Patrick Mahomes holds the title for the largest contract in NFL history with his 10-year, $477 million deal signed in 2020. Though Mahomes’ contract is shorter and lower in total value compared to Soto’s, it still remains the largest in NFL history. Mahomes has since led the Kansas City Chiefs to multiple Super Bowls, solidifying his status as one of the NFL’s top players. While Mahomes’ deal averages $47.7 million per year, Soto’s surpasses it by earning $51 million annually.
NFL Honorable Mention: Dak Prescott – $240 Million (4 years) Dak Prescott’s four-year, $240 million contract with the Dallas Cowboys is significantly smaller than Mahomes’ deal, but it stands out for its enormous annual value of $60 million. Prescott’s deal tops Mahomes’ in terms of average annual salary, although it falls short in total contract value and length.
NBA: Jayson Tatum – $314 Million (5 years) The NBA’s richest contract belongs to Boston Celtics superstar Jayson Tatum, who inked a five-year, $314 million extension, which translates to an average annual value (AAV) of $62.8 million. Tatum’s deal surpasses Soto’s on an annual basis, but Soto’s contract wins in overall value and duration, proving that MLB contracts can exceed even the highest-paid NBA deals in total worth.
NHL: Alex Ovechkin – $124 Million (13 years) In the NHL, Washington Capitals legend Alex Ovechkin holds the record with his 13-year, $124 million deal signed back in 2008. Though Ovechkin’s deal is a fraction of Soto’s contract in value, it still remains the largest in NHL history. Ovechkin’s AAV is just $9.5 million, far behind Soto’s, yet the longevity of his deal remains a rare feat in the NHL.
Soto’s landmark contract could signal a new era of sports contracts, particularly in baseball, where long-term deals are becoming more common. Soto’s deal places him in a category all his own, but as the sports landscape evolves, other stars in MLB and beyond could use Soto’s deal as a benchmark for their future negotiations.
While NBA and NFL stars are known for commanding hefty annual values, baseball contracts are increasingly stretching longer durations with record-breaking guarantees. This change reflects both the increasing financial power of major league teams and the importance of securing top talent for extended periods.
Juan Soto’s $765 million deal is a historic achievement, redefining what’s possible in sports contracts. As the largest known contract in history, Soto’s deal sets a new bar not only for MLB players but also for athletes across all major sports. His deal will likely influence the trajectory of future contract negotiations in MLB and beyond, with young stars in every league now eyeing the possibility of breaking records of their own.
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