Juan Soto's Mega Deal: A Sports Money Shocker!

Juan Soto just signed a whopping 15-year, $765 million contract with the New York Mets. That's a lot of money! Let's break down how this deal stacks up against other sports numbers. First off, Soto's contract is more than the combined payroll of all teams in the AL and NL Central divisions for 2025. That's a big chunk of change! These divisions include teams that aren't usually big spenders. Next, the Pittsburgh Pirates and Athletics haven't spent that much in the last 10 years combined. These teams are known for their lower payrolls, so this comparison shows just how massive Soto's deal is. Now, think about all the bonuses given to MLB first-round draft picks in the last five years. That total is close to Soto's contract, but still not as high. Moving to other sports, Soto's deal is more than the combined career earnings of NFL legends Tom Brady and Peyton Manning. Even their long and successful careers didn't rack up that much. Same goes for NBA greats LeBron James and Michael Jordan. Together, they didn't make as much in their careers as Soto will in his new contract. Lastly, the Kansas City Chiefs spent less than Soto's contract in the last three years combined, even with a star quarterback like Patrick Mahomes. Soto's deal is truly eye-opening when you look at these comparisons. It shows how big the money is getting in sports!