List of largest sports contracts
Encyclopedia
The following is a list of the largest sports contracts. These figures include signing bonus
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"...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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 ....

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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....

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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...

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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:...

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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...

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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...

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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

The source of this article is wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.  The text of this article is licensed under the GFDL.
 
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