Year-ender | Sports deals of 2024 that brought in the big bucks

From breaking Ohtani's record to the most expensive player in IPL history, here are the biggest sports deals of the years:

Year-on-year we see sports deals become bigger and bigger. And 2024 was no different.

From breaking Ohtani's record to the most expensive player in IPL history, here are the biggest sports deals of the year:

Juan Soto to New York Mets - 15-year, $765 million contract

General view of the scoreboard at Citi Field during an introductory press conference for New York Mets right fielder Juan Soto.

Juan Soto, a four-time Major League Baseball All-Star, signed a record 15-year, $765 million contract with the New York Mets, eclipsing Shohei Ohtani's $700 million deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

His deal is the largest contract in sports history and will begin from the 2025 season.

Lewis Hamilton to Ferrari - $100 million multi year deal

Lewis Hamilton is seen pictured next to a Ferrari logo

Seven-time F1 champion Lewis Hamilton bid goodbye to Mercedes after the 2024 F1 season. After 2 seasons of the Mercedes car being unable compete with Red Bull, Hamilton decided to switch teams and join Ferrari.

Hamilton take the place of Spaniard Carlos Sainz alongside Leclerc at a team that was fighting for the constructors' championship this year.

Spanish publication Diario As reported that after all is said and done, Hamilton will earn around $100 million from his multi-year contract.

Kylian Mbappe to Real Madrid - 6-year, $78.19 million deal + $156 million signing bonus

Florentino Perez (left) and Kylian Mbappe.

French superstar Kylian Mbappe is technically a free deal for the Spanish giants Real Madrid, but they will reportedly pay $156 million in signing bonus, besides his $78.19 million p/a salary.

Mbappe has been hot and cold for Madrid so far, with 13 goals and 3 assists in 23 matches.

LeBron James to LA Lakers - 2-year contract extension for $101.3 million

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James.

LeBron James, the NBA's all-time leading scorer and 4-time champion, signed a two-year, $101.3 million contract with the Los Angeles Lakers.

It includes a player option for the 2025-26 season and a no-trade clause. Further, LA Laker also signed Bronny James, LeBron's son, allowing the duo to become the first father-son duo to share the court in an NBA game.

Julián Álvarez to Atletico Madrid - 6-year, $7.2 million deal + $99 million transfer fee to Manchester City

Atletico Madrid's Julian Alvarez

Argentinian sensation Julián Álvarez was officially the most expensive footballer in the 2024 summer window. His move cost Atletico Madrid $99 million in transfer fee, and he will earn $7.2 million p/a over his 6-year deal, AIScore reported.

He has had a slow start to life in Spain, with his bagging 12 goals and 2 assists in 26 matches.

Rishabh Pant to Lucknow Super Giants - Bought for Rs 27 crore per season deal

Rishabh Pant in action.

Rishabh Pant met the expectations of experts by becoming the most expensive player in IPL history, after his shock release from Delhi Capitals.

He was bought by the Lucknow Super Giants for a whopping Rs 27 crore.

Shreyas Iyer to Punjab Kings - Bought for Rs 26.75 crore per season

Shreyas Iyer

Prior to Pant's move to LSG, it was Shreyas Iyer who broke records after the Punjab Kings bid Rs 26.75 crores for him.

Shreyas being released by Kolkata Knight Riders was more shocking than Pant being released, as he had led them to the title this year.

Venkatesh Iyer to Kolkata Knight Riders - Bought back for Rs 23.75 crore

Venkatesh Iyer

Having released both Iyer's from their title winning team, Venky Mysore spent heavily bring back one of them to the Kolkata Knight Riders, paying Rs 23.75 crore for the all-rounder Venkatesh Iyer.

Heinrich Klassen retained by SunRisers Hyderabad - Retained for Rs 23 cr per season

Sunrisers Hyderabad batter Heinrich Klaasen plays a shot.

Following his amazing exploits last season, as well as his performance in the T20 World Cup, the SunRisers Hyderabad retained their star middle order batter Heinrich Klassen for Rs 23 croree, making him the most expensive retention of all time.

Virat Kohli to Royal Challengers Bengaluru - Retained for Rs 21 crore

Royal Challengers Bengaluru's Virat Kohli. 

Virat Kohli was always going to be retained by the Royal Challengers Bengaluru. The question was for how much, given the season he had for them this year. The most expensive Indian player in IPL history (at the time of retention) was RCB's answer to that.