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Juan Soto made history by becoming the highest paid athlete in the World with his contract with New York Mets breaking Shohei Ohtani's earlier record. The New York Mets have made a bold move by offering Juan Soto a groundbreaking 15-year contract worth an eye-popping $765 million, setting a new benchmark in the world of sports. With this deal, Soto becomes the highest-paid athlete globally, a title previously held by other sports icons. Additionally, Soto's contract includes an impressive $75 million signing bonus, further cementing his place as one of Major League Baseball’s most prized players.
This monumental $765 million contract is the largest ever in the history of professional sports, surpassing previous high-profile deals in football, basketball, and other major leagues. For comparison, Soto’s agreement outstrips Shohei Ohtani’s $700 million deal signed the previous year. In terms of annual value, Soto will receive an average of $51 million per year. If he chooses to opt out in 2029, the total value of the contract could increase to $805 million, raising his annual earnings to $55 million.
Soto's Contract Breakdown
With a $765 million deal, Soto will earn about $314,815 for each game he plays over the course of the contract. To put this into perspective, based on his 2024 performance, Soto is set to make approximately $1.2 million for every home run, $467,890 for each RBI, and $307,229 for every hit. His pay also extends to $671,053 for each extra-base hit. Even when Soto swings and misses, he still racks up $46,322 per swing. These numbers assume that Soto continues to stay healthy and maintain his high level of performance in the years ahead.
The Mets’ Rich Owner and Competitive Push
The Mets' owner, Steve Cohen, is the richest in MLB with a net worth of $21.3 billion according to Forbes. Since Cohen took over the team in 2020, he’s been focused on making the Mets a powerhouse in baseball. His willingness to spend big on talent has reshaped the franchise, and the Soto deal is the pinnacle of his efforts.
Cohen’s approach to recruiting Soto was personal and strategic. While other teams, including the Yankees, courted Soto during free agency, Cohen made a bold move by inviting Soto to meet at his Beverly Hills mansion. The Mets were in direct competition with the New York Yankees, who also made a significant offer of $760 million. However, Soto reportedly wanted to be close to his team’s owner, similar to the relationship that Yankees star Aaron Judge shares with Hal Steinbrenner. This personal connection may have been the deciding factor in Soto’s decision to join the Mets and make the move across New York from the Yankees’ Bronx to the Mets’ Queens.
