American sports have entered a new financial era, where top-tier athletes are signing contracts worth hundreds of millions of dollars.
Fueled by booming TV rights, streaming revenue, and international expansion, leagues like the NBA, NFL, MLB, and NHL are dishing out record-breaking deals.
The most recent and notable contract belongs to Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who has now positioned himself at the top of NBA earnings with a groundbreaking new deal.
Gilgeous-Alexander sets new NBA standard
Fresh off leading the Thunder to an NBA title and winning both the MVP and Finals MVP awards, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander signed a four-year, $285 million supermax extension.
The deal averages a staggering $71.35 million per year, making it the highest annual salary in NBA history. The contract begins in the 2027-28 season and runs through 2030-31.
Gilgeous-Alexander averaged 32.7 points per game in the regular season and 29.9 points, 6.5 assists, and 5.3 rebounds during the playoffs, justifying every penny of his massive deal. He now ranks fifth on the global list of highest average annual contract values.
Four other record-breaking athlete contracts
While SGA’s deal has set the tone in basketball, other American athletes have cashed in similarly across different sports. Here are four of the biggest contracts in American sports history:
Patrick Mahomes – NFL
The Kansas City Chiefs quarterback signed a 10-year, $450 million deal in 2020, the largest in total value in American sports history.
Although it averages $45 million annually, less than some modern QB deals, it was groundbreaking at the time. The contract includes incentives and guarantees tied to roster status and performance.
Mike Trout – MLB
In 2019, the Los Angeles Angels locked in their superstar center fielder with a 12-year, $426.5 million extension. Trout’s deal averages $35.5 million per year, and at the time of signing, it was the richest in professional sports.
Mookie Betts – MLB
Shortly after being traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2020, Mookie Betts signed a 12-year, $365 million contract. His consistent play, MVP-level talent, and marketability made the Dodgers’ long-term investment worthwhile.
Nikola Jokic – NBA
The Denver Nuggets‘ two-time MVP signed a five-year, $276 million supermax extension in 2022. At the time, it was the largest contract in NBA history, showcasing how elite players in the league continue to break salary ceilings.
A new era in athlete compensation
These astronomical deals reflect how much value franchises place on elite talent in an ultra-competitive sports economy.
With the rise of streaming platforms, international fanbases, and social media-driven branding, athletes are not just players, they are global businesses.
As salaries climb year over year, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander‘s new supermax might only be the beginning of the next financial frontier in American sports.
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