When people not familiar with baseball hear the name Will Smith, most of them think of the Hollywood superstar. However, in Los Angeles, another Will Smith is now emerging from the Dodger Stadium to compete for the representation of the name, opening many headlines on the way.
The thing is that the 29-year-old Dodgers catcher just secured one of baseball’s most succulent long-term deals. A 10-year, $140 million contract extension that guarantees that he will remain in Dodger blue until the 2033 season. The deal places him as one of the game’s top catchers while it redefines his financial future and net worth at the same time.
The marvellous contract
According to Spotrac, Smith’s 10-year deal includes $140 million in guaranteed money, making it one of the largest ever signed by a catcher. However, this deal seems different, as it features a unique payment structure that is meant to benefit both sides, the Dodgers and Smith.
Roughly $50 million of the total is deferred, to be paid out in annual $5 million installments between 2034 and 2043. This creative approach eases the Dodgers’ tax burden while still providing Smith with a steady income stream long after his retirement.
The deal also includes a $30 million signing bonus, which will be split into two payments of $15 million each, giving Smith an immediate financial benefit.
How this impacts Will Smith’s net worth
Before signing this record-breaking extension, Smith had earned just under $10 million in his MLB career, including his 2024 arbitration salary. Now, his total guaranteed earnings skyrocketed him into a new financial tier, where the great ones gather and compete.
According to Celebrity Net Worth, Will Smith’s estimated net worth sits around $25-30 million, a figure expected to keep rising season after season as the contract money begins to move. By the time he is done collecting, even his deferred payments, Smith’s lifetime baseball income will probably exceed the $150 million.
Therefore, and with all the figures and concepts we have seen, we can surely conclude that this is not just a paycheck. It is the beginning of a tremendous financial legacy that will resonate for nearly two decades, even after Smith retires.
By that time, who knows if he will be the one coming to our minds when we hear the name Will Smith. He might do like the singer Pitbull, whose name comes before the dog when you Google it.
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