Juan Soto is on the brink of signing what is anticipated to be the most significant contract ever in sports history. Reports indicate that the 26-year-old Dominican outfielder has reached a preliminary agreement with the New York Mets for a staggering $765m (£600m) deal over 15 years.
While the Mets have yet to release an official statement, multiple sources in the U.S. have confirmed the details, although Soto must first pass a medical examination. MLB insiders revealed that Soto's contract includes an impressive $75m signing bonus and no deferred payments, raising its potential worth to an astonishing $800m (£627m).
This deal surpasses the previous record held by Shohei Ohtani, who signed a 10-year contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers valued at $700m (£558m). Unlike Soto’s agreement, Ohtani’s contract included a deferral of $680m (£541m), which is common practice in professional sports to alleviate immediate salary cap concerns.
The staggering size of Soto’s contract sets a new benchmark for professional sports salaries. Notably, Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott recently signed a four-year extension worth approximately $240m (£183m), while Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs previously secured a 10-year extension that brought him $450m, marking the largest contract in NFL history at the time.
In basketball, the Boston Celtics have locked in Jayson Tatum with a lucrative five-year deal worth around $314m (£245m). Meanwhile, soccer stars Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi also hold contracts that significantly impact the pay structure in their respective leagues, with Messi's deal at Inter Miami potentially reaching $60m per year.
Soto, who most recently played for the New York Yankees, was a highly sought-after free agent after a successful season that saw him elevate the team to the 2024 World Series, which they ultimately lost to the LA Dodgers 4-1. The Yankees had reportedly extended a $760m (£595m) 16-year contract offer to keep him, but the Mets emerged victorious in the bidding war.
During the last MLB season, Soto achieved a .288 batting average across 157 regular-season games, smashing a personal best of 41 home runs and driving in 109 runs batted in (RBIs). His playoffs performance maintained a .313 average, including a home run and an RBI. Throughout his career, Soto has accumulated impressive stats with 201 home runs and a .285 batting average spread across 936 regular-season games, previously playing for the Washington Nationals and San Diego Padres before his time with the Yankees.
While the Mets have yet to release an official statement, multiple sources in the U.S. have confirmed the details, although Soto must first pass a medical examination. MLB insiders revealed that Soto's contract includes an impressive $75m signing bonus and no deferred payments, raising its potential worth to an astonishing $800m (£627m).
This deal surpasses the previous record held by Shohei Ohtani, who signed a 10-year contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers valued at $700m (£558m). Unlike Soto’s agreement, Ohtani’s contract included a deferral of $680m (£541m), which is common practice in professional sports to alleviate immediate salary cap concerns.
The staggering size of Soto’s contract sets a new benchmark for professional sports salaries. Notably, Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott recently signed a four-year extension worth approximately $240m (£183m), while Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs previously secured a 10-year extension that brought him $450m, marking the largest contract in NFL history at the time.
In basketball, the Boston Celtics have locked in Jayson Tatum with a lucrative five-year deal worth around $314m (£245m). Meanwhile, soccer stars Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi also hold contracts that significantly impact the pay structure in their respective leagues, with Messi's deal at Inter Miami potentially reaching $60m per year.
Soto, who most recently played for the New York Yankees, was a highly sought-after free agent after a successful season that saw him elevate the team to the 2024 World Series, which they ultimately lost to the LA Dodgers 4-1. The Yankees had reportedly extended a $760m (£595m) 16-year contract offer to keep him, but the Mets emerged victorious in the bidding war.
During the last MLB season, Soto achieved a .288 batting average across 157 regular-season games, smashing a personal best of 41 home runs and driving in 109 runs batted in (RBIs). His playoffs performance maintained a .313 average, including a home run and an RBI. Throughout his career, Soto has accumulated impressive stats with 201 home runs and a .285 batting average spread across 936 regular-season games, previously playing for the Washington Nationals and San Diego Padres before his time with the Yankees.
