The Miami Marlins signed slugging outfielder Giancarlo Stanton to a record 13-year, £208million ($325m) deal on Wednesday, the most lucrative player contract in US sports history.
The deal trumps the two previous highest contracts in baseball. Miguel Cabrera was given a £186m ($291m) deal over 10 years with the Detroit Tigers in March 2014 and Alex Rodriguez bagged a £176m ($275m) deal over a decade with New York Yankees in 2008.
Stanton's deal also trumps sport's other heavyweight earners in terms of length; Floyd Mayweather bagged £131.5m ($206m) for six fights over a 30-month period and LA Lakers legend Kobe Bryant earned himself a deal worth £86m ($136m) over seven years in 2004.
Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo estimated salary of £33.2m is upped by £17.9m in endorsements, but his contract ends in four years time.
In ice hockey, The Capital's Alexander 'the Great' Ovechkin broke the NHL's £100m deal without an agent at just 22, landing $124m from 2009 to 2021.
But despite the deal which could take Stanton through to 2027, the right-hander says he doesn't feel like he has won the lottery.
'Everyone wants to talk about the record-breaking deal but I want records on the field, I want to do things on the field and that's what it is all about,' two-time All-Star Stanton told a news conference.
'This isn't a lottery ticket and peace out. This is the start of new work and a new job for this city. It is a huge responsibility and one I am willing to take,' the 25-year-old added.
The Marlins, owned by New York-based art dealer Jeffrey Loria, hope Stanton can help mend shattered relations between the team and disillusioned fans after a widely criticised taxpayer funded deal to build a new ballpark.
The team has also drawn ire for gutting its roster in recent years and revealing millions in profits after lobbying for public funds.
The ballpark deal led voters to out the sitting mayor in 2010 and has been a black eye for professional sports in Miami, souring recent efforts by retired former Manchester United and England star David Beckham to launch a Major League Soccer team in the city.
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