Following the news of Erling Haaland’s staggering new nine-and-a-half year deal with Manchester City, SportsCasting has taken a look at the biggest contracts in sporting history.
The Norwegian international put pen to paper on the new deal which will keep him at Manchester City until the summer of 2034.
It ended concerns over his future, with just two years left on his previous deal. It is also positive news for City with the looming 130 charges hanging over the club with an announcement reportedly expected in March.
Haaland will see a boost to his £400,000-a-week wages making it one of the largest contracts in history. The Sun have reported that he will receive £260m across the duration of his contract.
SportsCasting takes a look at the 10 biggest contracts in sporting history, according to numbers reported from Spanish outlet Marca.
The 10 Biggest Contracts In Sporting History
10. Canelo Alvarez – £281.9m Five-Year Deal With Dazn
It is no surprise to see a boxer make the list for the biggest contracts in sporting history.
Canelo Alvarez has received some huge paydays throughout his legendary career. His five-year, 11-fight deal with DAZN between 2018 and 2023 was reportedly worth a staggering £281.9m – around £56.38m per year.
His only defeat during the course of that contract was against Dmitry Bivol in May 2022.
9. Mookie Betts – £285.8m 12-Year Deal With Los Angeles Dodgers
Baseball might not be the biggest sport in the world, but the fact there are four MLB stars in the top 10 shows how massive it is in the United States.
Mookie Betts signed a 12-year contract in 2021 believed to be worth £285.8m ($365m). The Los Angeles Dodgers were rewarded with a World Series triumph last year beating the New York Yankees.
However, success has come at a price, with ESPN reporting deferred payments for seven players now exceeding £783m (($1 billion) for the three-peat West Division champions.
8. Mike Trout – £334m 12-Year Deal With Los Angeles Angels
The Dodgers aren’t the only Los Angeles MLB side paying big money for their stars.
Mike Trout makes the list for the biggest contracts in sporting history after signing an 11-year £334m ($426.5m) deal with the Los Angeles Angels in 2019.
No championships have come the Angels’ way, but Trout in an 11-time MLB All-Star and a three-time American League MVP – showing why his side were keen to pay him such a luxurious salary.
7. Karim Benzema – £335.1m 2-Year Deal with Al-Ittihad
Karim Benzema is the first of three football stars to make the list for the biggest contracts in sporting history.
The Frenchman signed a two-year £335.1m deal when he joined Al-Ittihad in 2023 – with the option of a third year.
As per the Metro, Benzema’s staggering contract is worth around £5.46 per second. The deal showcased the staggering wealth of the Saudi Pro League with a number of big-name stars heading over from Europe’s top leagues.
6. Patrick Mahomes – £393.9m 10-Year Deal With Kansas City Chiefs
Patrick Mahomes signed a ten-year extension in 2021 worth £393.9m ($503m) making him the only NFL player on this list.
The Kansas City Chiefs’ star quarterback will see him remain at the franchise until 2031- when by he will hope he can surpass Tom Brady’s record seven Super Bowl rings.
Mahomes has already acquired three Super Bowl rings during his career to date.
Patrick Mahomes' deal could surpass half a billion dollars:
💵 10-year extension worth up to $503 million
💵 Includes $477m in guarantee mechanisms(via @adamschefter) pic.twitter.com/b8p3wTIXZo
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) July 6, 2020
5. Jon Rahm – £411.1m Six-Year Deal With LIV Golf
It is not just in football where Saudi Arabia has an influence on this list. Jon Rahm is the only golf star to make the list thanks to his £411.1m deal he signed with LIV Golf in 2023.
Rahm was arguably the biggest name to sign a deal with the Saudi circuit since its launch one year prior.
The Spanish two-time major winner’s contract with the breakaway Saudi circuit runs until 2029.
4. Cristiano Ronaldo – £420m Three-Year Deal With Al-Nassr
Cristiano Ronaldo is fourth on the list of the biggest contracts in sporting history.
The Portuguese international is one of the greatest footballers of all time and was rewarded with a £420m three-year deal when he joined Al Nassr in late 2022.
It was the first real coup for the Saudi Pro League and helped make then a competitor for Europe’s top players over the years that have followed. However, Ronaldo will be disappointed to be behind one footballer on this list.
3. Lionel Messi – £527m Four-Year Deal With Barcelona
Lionel Messi beats his greatest rival when it comes to the biggest contract in football history – and third when it comes to all sports.
His final contract at Barcelona from 2017 to 2021 reportedly earned him a staggering £527m.
However, financial issues would arise at Barcelona which still linger to this day. Messi left for Paris Saint-Germain at the end of his Barcelona contract with Barcelona’s issues causing complications in getting their greatest ever player to sign a new deal.
2. Shohei Otani – £547.3m Ten-Year Deal With The Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are the only club side across the sporting world to have a second star to appear on this list with Shohei Otani.
The four-time All-Star signed a staggering £547.3m ($700m) contract running from 2023 to 2033.
Despite battling with an elbow injury last year, the Japanese star delivered a record-breaking season to lead the Dodgers to the championship in the World Series.
1. Juan Soto – £599m 15-Year Deal With The New York Mets
This comparison to Juan Soto's history making contract 😧 pic.twitter.com/FEePyonXFt
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) December 9, 2024
Juan Soto was awarded the biggest contract in sporting history when he signed a 15-year deal worth £599m ($765m) with the New York Mets last month.
The deal included a no-trade clause, a £58.7m signing bonus, an opt-out option after five years and no deferred money. It was reported at the time that the contract was worth more than LeBron James and Tom Brady’s combined career salary earnings.
The Mets went all out on Soto who they described as a ‘generational talent’ to get the free agent who was previously at the New York Yankees.
