In a groundbreaking announcement, Shohei Ohtani has officially inked a historic 10-year, $700 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers, setting a new MLB record for the highest-ever player deal and marking a milestone in the annals of North American sports.
Ohtani’s colossal contract not only propels him to the pinnacle of MLB’s highest-paid players but also secures his place in the history of North American sports, surpassing the financial benchmarks set by previous luminaries.
Notably, the deal eclipses the 12-year, $426.5 million contract inked by his former teammate, Mike Trout, with the Angels in 2019.
It also outshines the 10-year, $503 million contract secured by Chiefs’ star quarterback Patrick Mahomes, a landmark deal that made NFL history in 2020.
Taking to Instagram, the two-time American League MVP personally disclosed his decision to join the Dodgers, highlighting the significance of this monumental move.
The 10-year pact, valued at an astounding $700 million, was confirmed by Ohtani’s agent, Nez Balelo, and corroborated by various reputable media outlets, including ESPN, MLB.com, and CNN.
The magnitude of Ohtani’s deal prompts a comparison with the most substantial contracts in both MLB and North American sports history.
The Sporting News delves into the details to analyze how Ohtani’s freshly signed agreement with the Los Angeles Dodgers measures up against the titans of sports contracts.
Top 10 Richest Contracts in All of Sports
- Shohei Ohtani, Los Angeles Dodgers (MLB): 10 years, $700 million
- Lionel Messi, Barcelona (World Football): Four years, $674 million (2017 to ’21)
- Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs (NFL): 10 years, $450 million
- Karim Benzema, Al-Ittihad (World Football): Two years, $426 million
- Mike Trout, Los Angeles Angels (MLB): 12 years, $426.5 million
- Mookie Betts, Los Angeles Dodgers (MLB): 12 years, $365 million
- Aaron Judge, New York Yankees (MLB): Nine years, $360 million
- Manny Machado, San Diego Padres (MLB): 11 years, $350 million
- Francisco Lindor, New York Mets (MLB): 10 years, $341 million
- Fernando Tatis Jr., San Diego Padres (MLB): 14 years, $340 million
