In brief
In what is poised to become the largest contract in sports history, MLB star Juan Soto is set to sign a remarkable 15-year deal worth approximately $765m (£600m) with the New York Mets. The contract, which remains unconfirmed by the team pending a medical examination for the 26-year-old Dominican, would grant Soto a hefty $75m signing bonus with no deferred payments, ultimately allowing it to reach an estimated value of up to $800m (£627m).
This potential contract surpasses the previous record held by Shohei Ohtani, who signed a $700m (£558m) deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers that involved deferring a significant portion of his earnings. Comparatively, Soto's contract is distinct as it does not involve deferred payments. In the larger landscape of professional sports, some of the most substantial contracts include a four-year, $240m (£183m) extension for NFL quarterback Dak Prescott, a $450m contract for Patrick Mahomes, and a five-year, $314m (£245m) deal for NBA player Jayson Tatum. Soto, who played last season for the New York Yankees and contributed to their journey to the 2024 World Series, faces significant competition, as they had also proposed a competitive $760m (£595m) offer for his services. Over his extensive career, Soto boasts impressive stats, including a batting average of .288 and 201 home runs. He is now set to make his mark in New York as the Mets look to capitalize on his outstanding performance and popularity in baseball.
