Pitcher Gerrit Cole signed a jaw-dropping contract in November 2019 with the New York Yankees for $324 million for nine years. The $36 million per year average annual value of the contract is the highest in baseball history.
It seems that almost every year, some team shells out the big bucks for a coveted free agent, breaking the previous record. In 2000, Alex Rodriguez signed a 10-year, $252 million contract with the Texas Rangers, dwarfing the previous largest sports contract. Just 19 years later, that deal is not even among the top 50 most lucrative deals on an annual basis. In fact, all 50 of the highest paid athletes in sports history signed their most lucrative deals in 2015 or later.
To determine the highest paid athletes in sports history, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed data about the contracts of pro athletes in the NHL, NBA, NFL, and MLB using sports data website Spotrac. Athletes were ranked based on the average annual value of the contract.
These contracts represent a huge investment, but they don’t always pan out. The signing athlete may face injury issues; he may not fit into the scheme of a new coach; or he may simply lose effectiveness with age. Still, every dollar comes with an expected amount of production, and athletes who perform poorly after signing a big deal are sure to draw the ire of fans. These are the most overpaid athletes in pro sports.
It can be hard for franchises to decide on the best way to allocate money. With salary caps, teams have to use their limited resources wisely. The most successful franchises find quality players in the draft and get them to produce while still on their rookie contract, which typically does not pay nearly as well as a tenured athlete’s deal. Yet some franchises overpay established players who do not always succeed, which can throw off their budgets and set a team back for years. These are the hardest teams to be a fan of.
Click here to see the highest paid athletes in sports history.
Click here to see our detailed findings and methodology.
50. Joel Embiid
> Avg. annual value: $29,542,010
> Contract length, value: 5 years, $147.7 million
> First year in effect: 2018
> Position, team: Center, Philadelphia 76ers
> Accolades: 2x All-star
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49. Andrew Wiggins
> Avg. annual value: $29,542,010
> Contract length, value: 5 years, $147.7 million
> First year in effect: 2018
> Position, team: Small forward, Minnesota Timberwolves
> Accolades: 2015 Rookie of the Year
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48. Matt Ryan
> Avg. annual value: $30,000,000
> Contract length, value: 5 years, $150 million
> First year in effect: 2018
> Position, team: Quarterback, Atlanta Falcons
> Accolades: 4x Pro Bowl, MVP
47. Paul Millsap
> Avg. annual value: $30,000,000
> Contract length, value: 3 years, $90 million
> First year in effect: 2017
> Position, team: Power forward, Denver Nuggets
> Accolades: 4x All-Star
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46. Max Scherzer
> Avg. annual value: $30,000,000
> Contract length, value: 7 years, $210 million
> First year in effect: 2015
> Position, team: Starting pitcher, Washington Nationals
> Accolades: 7x All-Star, 3x Cy Young
45. Manny Machado
> Avg. annual value: $30,000,000
> Contract length, value: 10 years, $300 million
> First year in effect: 2019
> Position, team: Third base, San Diego Padres
> Accolades: 4x All-Star, 2x Gold Glove
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44. Kevin Love
> Avg. annual value: $30,100,543
> Contract length, value: 4 years, $120.4 million
> First year in effect: 2019
> Position, team: Center, Cleveland Cavaliers
> Accolades: 5x All-Star
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43. Mike Conley
> Avg. annual value: $30,521,115
> Contract length, value: 5 years, $152.6 million
> First year in effect: 2016
> Position, team: Point guard, Utah Jazz (signed w/Memphis Grizzlies)
> Accolades: 1x All-Defensive 2nd team
42. Clayton Kershaw
> Avg. annual value: $31,000,000
> Contract length, value: 3 years, $93 million
> First year in effect: 2019
> Position, team: Starting pitcher, Los Angeles Dodgers
> Accolades: 8x All-Star, 3x Cy Young, 1x MVP
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41. David Price
> Avg. annual value: $31,000,000
> Contract length, value: 7 years, $217 million
> First year in effect: 2016
> Position, team: Starting pitcher, Boston Red Sox
> Accolades: 5x All-Star, 1x Cy Young
40. Miguel Cabrera
> Avg. annual value: $31,000,000
> Contract length, value: 8 years, $248 million
> First year in effect: 2016
> Position, team: First base, Detroit Tigers
> Accolades: 11x All-Star, 4x Batting Title, 2x MVP
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39. Kristaps Porzingis
> Avg. annual value: $31,650,600
> Contract length, value: 5 years, $158.3 million
> First year in effect: 2019
> Position, team: Power forward, Dallas Mavericks
> Accolades: 1x All-Star
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38. Devin Booker
> Avg. annual value: $31,650,600
> Contract length, value: 5 years, $158.3 million
> First year in effect: 2019
> Position, team: Shooting guard, Phoenix Suns
> Accolades: 2015-2016 All Rookie Team 1st Team
37. Karl-Anthony Towns
> Avg. annual value: $31,650,600
> Contract length, value: 5 years, $158.3 million
> First year in effect: 2019
> Position, team: Center, Minnesota Timberwolves
> Accolades: 2x All-Star, Rookie of the Year
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36. Gordon Hayward
> Avg. annual value: $31,957,493
> Contract length, value: 4 years, $127.8 million
> First year in effect: 2017
> Position, team: Small forward, Boston Celtics
> Accolades: 1x All-Star
35. Carson Wentz
> Avg. annual value: $32,000,000
> Contract length, value: 4 years, $128 million
> First year in effect: 2019
> Position, team: Quarterback, Philadelphia Eagles
> Accolades: 1x Pro Bowl
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34. Pascal Siakam
> Avg. annual value: $32,480,000
> Contract length, value: 4 years, $129.9 million
> First year in effect: 2020
> Position, team: Power forward, Toronto Raptors
> Accolades: 2019 Most Improved Player
33. Nolan Arenado
> Avg. annual value: $32,500,000
> Contract length, value: 8 years, $260 million
> First year in effect: 2019
> Position, team: Third base, Colorado Rockies
> Accolades: 5x All-Star, 7x Gold Glove
32. Justin Verlander
> Avg. annual value: $33,000,000
> Contract length, value: 2 years, $66 million
> First year in effect: 2019
> Position, team: Starting pitcher, Houston Astros
> Accolades: 8x All-Star, 2x Cy Young, 1x MVP
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31. Kyle Lowry
> Avg. annual value: $33,333,333
> Contract length, value: 3 years, $100 million
> First year in effect: 2017
> Position, team: Point guard, Toronto Raptors
> Accolades: 5x All-Star
30. C.J. McCollum
> Avg. annual value: $33,333,333
> Contract length, value: 3 years, $100 million
> First year in effect: 2021
> Position, team: Shooting guard, Portland Trail Blazers
> Accolades: 2016 Most Improved Player
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29. Jared Goff
> Avg. annual value: $33,500,000
> Contract length, value: 4 years, $134 million
> First year in effect: 2019
> Position, team: Quarterback, Los Angeles Rams
> Accolades: 2x Pro Bowl
28. Aaron Rodgers
> Avg. annual value: $33,500,000
> Contract length, value: 4 years, $134 million
> First year in effect: 2018
> Position, team: Quarterback, Green Bay Packers
> Accolades: 7x Pro Bowl, 2x MVP
27. Ben Simmons
> Avg. annual value: $33,930,000
> Contract length, value: 5 years, $169.7 million
> First year in effect: 2020
> Position, team: Point guard, Philadelphia 76ers
> Accolades: 1x All-Star, Rookie of the Year
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26. Jamal Murray
> Avg. annual value: $33,930,000
> Contract length, value: 5 years, $169.7 million
> First year in effect: 2020
> Position, team: Point guard, Denver Nuggets
> Accolades: 2017 All Rookie 2nd team
25. Ben Roethlisberger
> Avg. annual value: $34,000,000
> Contract length, value: 2 years, $68 million
> First year in effect: 2019
> Position, team: Quarterback, Pittsburgh Steelers
> Accolades: 6x Pro Bowl
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24. Kyrie Irving
> Avg. annual value: $34,122,650
> Contract length, value: 4 years, $136.5 million
> First year in effect: 2019
> Position, team: Point guard, Brooklyn Nets
> Accolades: 6x All-Star
23. Paul George
> Avg. annual value: $34,227,984
> Contract length, value: 4 years, $136.9 million
> First year in effect: 2018
> Position, team: Small forward, Los Angeles Clippers (signed w/Oklahoma City Thunder)
> Accolades: 6x All-Star, 2x All Defensive 1st team
22. Blake Griffin
> Avg. annual value: $34,234,964
> Contract length, value: 5 years, $171.2 million
> First year in effect: 2017
> Position, team: Power forward, Detroit Pistons (signed w/Los Angeles Clippers)
> Accolades: 6x All-Star, Rookie of the Year
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21. Kawhi Leonard
> Avg. annual value: $34,379,100
> Contract length, value: 3 years, $103.1 million
> First year in effect: 2019
> Position, team: Small forward, Los Angeles Clippers
> Accolades: 3x All-Star, 2x Defensive Player of the Year
20. Zack Greinke
> Avg. annual value: $34,416,667
> Contract length, value: 6 years, $206.5 million
> First year in effect: 2016
> Position, team: Starting pitcher, Houston Astros (signed w/Arizona Diamondbacks)
> Accolades: 6x All-Star, 6x Gold Glove, 1x Cy Young
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19. Russell Wilson
> Avg. annual value: $35,000,000
> Contract length, value: 4 years, $140 million
> First year in effect: 2019
> Position, team: Quarterback, Seattle Seahawks
> Accolades: 5x Pro Bowl
18. Anthony Rendon
> Avg. annual value: $35,000,000
> Contract length, value: 7 years, $245 million
> First year in effect: 2020
> Position, team: Third base, Los Angeles Angels
> Accolades: 1x All-Star, 2x Silver Slugger
17. Stephen Strasburg
> Avg. annual value: $35,000,000
> Contract length, value: 7 years, $245 million
> First year in effect: 2020
> Position, team: Starting pitcher, Washington Nationals
> Accolades: 3x All-Star, 1x Silver Slugger
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16. Jimmy Butler
> Avg. annual value: $35,197,650
> Contract length, value: 4 years, $140.8 million
> First year in effect: 2019
> Position, team: Shooting guard, Miami Heat (signed w/Philadelphia 76ers)
> Accolades: 4x All-Star
15. Kemba Walker
> Avg. annual value: $35,197,650
> Contract length, value: 4 years, $140.8 million
> First year in effect: 2019
> Position, team: Point guard, Boston Celtics (signed w/Charlotte Hornets)
> Accolades: 3x All-Star
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14. Khris Middleton
> Avg. annual value: $35,500,000
> Contract length, value: 5 years, $177.5 million
> First year in effect: 2019
> Position, team: Small forward, Milwaukee Bucks
> Accolades: 1x All-Star
13. Mike Trout
> Avg. annual value: $35,541,667
> Contract length, value: 12 years, $426.5 million
> First year in effect: 2019
> Position, team: Catcherenterfielder, Los Angeles Angels
> Accolades: 8x All-Star, 3x MVP
12. Bradley Beal
> Avg. annual value: $35,882,215
> Contract length, value: 2 years, $71.8 million
> First year in effect: 2021
> Position, team: Shooting guard, Washington Wizards
> Accolades: 2x All-Star
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11. Tobias Harris
> Avg. annual value: $36,000,000
> Contract length, value: 5 years, $180 million
> First year in effect: 2019
> Position, team: Small forward, Philadelphia 76ers
> Accolades: Nov. 2018 Player of the Month
10. Gerrit Cole
> Avg. annual value: $36,000,000
> Contract length, value: 9 years, $324 million
> First year in effect: 2020
> Position, team: Starting pitcher, New York Yankees
> Accolades: 3x All-Star, 1x ERA title
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9. Klay Thompson
> Avg. annual value: $37,980,720
> Contract length, value: 5 years, $189.9 million
> First year in effect: 2019
> Position, team: Shooting guard, Golden State Warriors
> Accolades: 5x All-Star
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8. LeBron James
> Avg. annual value: $38,328,212
> Contract length, value: 4 years, $153.3 million
> First year in effect: 2018
> Position, team: Small forward, Los Angeles Lakers
> Accolades: 15x All-Star, 12x All NBA 1st team, 4x MVP
7. Chris Paul
> Avg. annual value: $39,932,648
> Contract length, value: 4 years, $159.7 million
> First year in effect: 2018
> Position, team: Point guard, Oklahoma City Thunder (signed w/Houston Rockets)
> Accolades: 9x All-Star, 4x All NBA 1st team
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6. Stephen Curry
> Avg. annual value: $40,231,758
> Contract length, value: 5 years, $201.2 million
> First year in effect: 2017
> Position, team: Point guard, Golden State Warriors
> Accolades: 6x All-Star, 2x MVP
5. Kevin Durant
> Avg. annual value: $41,063,925
> Contract length, value: 4 years, $164.3 million
> First year in effect: 2019
> Position, team: Small forward, Brooklyn Nets (signed w/Golden State Warriors)
> Accolades: 10x All-Star, 1x MVP
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4. Russell Westbrook
> Avg. annual value: $41,358,814
> Contract length, value: 5 years, $206.8 million
> First year in effect: 2018
> Position, team: Point guard, Houston Rockets (signed w/Oklahoma City Thunder)
> Accolades: 8x All-Star, 1x MVP
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3. John Wall
> Avg. annual value: $42,782,880
> Contract length, value: 4 years, $171.1 million
> First year in effect: 2019
> Position, team: Point guard, Washington Wizards
> Accolades: 5x All-Star
2. James Harden
> Avg. annual value: $42,782,880
> Contract length, value: 4 years, $171.1 million
> First year in effect: 2019
> Position, team: Shooting guard, Houston Rockets
> Accolades: 7x All-Star, 2x scoring champ, 1x MVP
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1. Damian Lillard
> Avg. annual value: $49,000,000
> Contract length, value: 4 years, $196 million
> First year in effect: 2021
> Position, team: Point guard, Portland Trail Blazers
> Accolades: 4x All-Star, Rookie of the Year
Detailed findings & methodology:
Many contracts are not evenly distributed, either paying the player the bulk of their earnings at the beginning or end of the deal, or paying the player a large bonus instead of a consistent salary. Bonuses and endorsements were not considered when ranking athletes’ average annual salaries.
Joel Embiid, Andrew Wiggins, and Nikola Jokic signed identical deals that tied for the 49th highest paying contract in pro sports. Only Embiid and Wiggins made the list because their deals are fully guaranteed, while Jokic’s is not.
Players were only eligible to appear once on the list. Even though LeBron James made over $33 million per year in his second stint with the Cleveland Cavaliers, which would have also qualified him for this list, he makes significantly more in his Los Angeles Lakers contract, so that is the salary we used for his entry.
Over time, salaries have been getting higher. In fact, all of the highest paid athletes in sports history signed their lucrative deals in 2015 or later. Some players, like Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum of the Portland Trail Blazers, have signed extensions to their existing deals that will make them among the highest paid athletes. Since these deals are guaranteed, they were considered to be their own separate contracts and considered for this list.
Each of the nine highest-paying contracts in pro sports were signed by Basketball players. NBA contracts make up the bulk of this list, with 32 of the 50 highest paid athletes. There are also 12 MLB players and six from the NFL — all quarterbacks. The highest paying NHL contract is worth just $12.5 million per year — nowhere close to enough to qualify for this list.
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