Spanish golf star John Rahm tops the list of huge contracts in the history of sports by joining the Saudi League of Live Golf, thus surpassing sports celebrities in the world. The value of the 4-year contract amounted to $520 million, excluding bonuses, incentives and tournament profits.
The Spanish newspaper “Marca” described this deal as the largest and most important ever in the history of global sports, because it exceeded the deals of international stars in football, basketball, boxing, and Formula 1 racing, such as Michael Jordan, the late Johan Cruyff, the legend Pele, and the boxer Muhammad Ali Clay, along with the two stars Lionel. Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen.
These are the most expensive contracts in the history of various sports:
- Michael Jordan’s contract with the Chicago Bulls
In 1984, Jordan moved to the Chicago Bulls in a deal exceeding $30 million. He also receives 5% for every pair of Jordan shoes sold by Nike, and the value of regular annual sales can reach $500 million, and with a simple calculation, the American basketball legend receives $25 million annually.
- Johan Cruyff’s contract with Spanish club Levante
After his adventures in the United States with the Los Angeles Aztex and Washington Diplomats, the Dutch flying winger Cruyff moved to Levante in 1981 for 40 million pesetas (former Spanish currency), the current equivalent of 240,000 euros.
Furthermore, Cruyff was entitled to a share of the sale of match tickets.
📸 | Johan Cruyff played ten games for Levante UD in 1981 pic.twitter.com/iAnuKueIqw
— Culé Source™ (@CuleSource) December 15, 2018
- The legend Pele’s contract with the American Cosmos
After winning three consecutive World Cup titles with the Brazilian national team (1958-1962-1970), the “Black Jewel” became famous in the United States and the New York Cosmos club wanted to sign him.
The Brazilian legend moved to the American club in 1975, after negotiations in which the recently deceased US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger participated.
The magician Pele’s contract amounted to approximately $3 million per season, which was a large sum at the time, and today it is equivalent to more than $200 million, according to Forbes magazine estimates.
Pele in action for the New York Cosmos with George Best of the LA Aztecs hot on his trail. Glorious. pic.twitter.com/0TAbVGt3Dq
— Irish Football Pics (@irish_pics) January 23, 2023
- Messi’s contracts are with Barcelona and Ronaldo’s with Al-Nasr
In January 2021, Argentine Messi extended his contract with Barcelona for 4 years, and the value of the deal exceeded 555 million euros.
On the other hand, Portuguese star Ronaldo chose to move to Al-Nassr Saudi Arabia at the beginning of this season in a deal worth 600 million euros.
It’s been three years since Leo Messi told Barcelona that he wanted to leave. It’s been a wild ride since:
▪️ Aug 25, 2020: Asks to leave
▪️ Sep 4, 2020: Stays due to release clause issues
▪️ Jun 30, 2021: Contract expires despite wanting to stay
▪️ Aug 5, 2021: Barca announce… pic.twitter.com/VMYVqW3zGz— B/R Football (@brfootball) August 25, 2023
- Holding the legend Muhammad Ali Clay in the fight of the century
American Muhammad Ali Clay and his rival, Joe Frazier, received $2.5 million each for fighting the fight of the century in 1971. Four years later, Clay signed another confrontation with the same opponent in Manila (Philippines) for $4.5 million.
The Fight of the Century (1971)
Muhammad Ali: “Don’t you know I’m God”
Joe Frazier: “God, you in the wrong place tonight.” pic.twitter.com/lX82ndV6qB— Past To Present Stories (@past2present_x) December 2, 2023
- Dutch driver Max Verstappen’s contract with Red Bull
In 2022, Max Verstappen signed with the Red Bull Formula 1 team until 2028 for 400 million euros. The Dutchman, a three-time world champion, became the highest-paid player in the history of this sport, surpassing German Michael Schumacher, who earned about 700 million euros throughout his career.
Max Verstappen, three-time world champion.
🔸2021
🔸2022
🔸2023 pic.twitter.com/DdI9RzCgNi— Max Argento 🇦🇷 (@MaxArgento33) December 8, 2023
