Professional sports owners seemed to be in a generous mood in 2018, handing out eye-popping (if not record-setting) contracts in Major League Baseball, the NFL, NBA, and NHL.
Even the NCAA saw some big-money contracts, with college football coaches among the highest paid public employees in the country.
Here are some of the big winners in the salary game in 2018:
Baseball Can’t Bat 1.000
There were two notable free agent signings in the offseason, a smaller number than usual for the offseason. But from the end of the season through 2018 spring training, owners were a bit stingy with the cash.
Of the deals that did get done, the Boston Red Sox signed JD Martinez to a five-year, $110 million deal. He certainly delivered, ending the regular season with 43 home runs, a league-leading 130 RBI, and a .330 batting average.
“This is a guy who can not only hit homers, but he has the ability to hit for average, too,” Boston manager Alex Cora said. “We not only got better lineup-wise and on the field, what he brings in that clubhouse, the way he prepares, I’m looking forward to him connecting with players, help young players.”
But the biggest off-season free agent signing in baseball might’ve been the least effective. The Cubs spent $126 million for 32-year-old right-handed pitcher Yu Darvish. The six-year deal could reach $150 million with performance incentives.
Darvish was with the Dodgers the prior season and notoriously flamed out in the World Series, which Los Angeles lost to Houston in seven games.
He didn’t fare much better this season with the Cubs. He only had eight starts for a 1-3 record and a 4.95 ERA over 40 innings. He right elbow was injured most of the year, and finally in September he opted for season-ending elbow surgery.
NFL Spreading Wealth
It is routine for quarterbacks to get paid. Derek Carr of the Raiders, Matt Stafford of the Lions, and Matt Ryan of the Falcons all signed then record deals. The one that trumped them all was Green Bay’s Aaron Rodgers.
The Packers signal caller, who has won a Super Bowl, agreed to a five-year, $150 million extension in August. It was one of many big money deals.
Odell Beckham Jr. became the highest paid wide receiver when he signed a deal worth $95 million over six years.
LA Rams defensive specialist Aaron Donald ended his holdout a week before the season began after getting six years and $135 million, including $87 million guaranteed. Donald’s signing bonus was $40 million.
The most anticipated deal of the offseason, though, was disgruntled Raider Khalil Mack. The linebacker was traded to Chicago and immediately signed an extension worth $141 million over six years.
Tavares Makes Toronto Maple Leafs Matter
There was only one big signing in the NHL offseason, but it was a big one. Forward John Tavares was courted by several teams, but decided to sign with his childhood favorite, the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Tavares signed a 7-year $77 million deal, one of the richest in the sports history. News of his going to his hometown Maple Leafs made Toronto an instant favorite to win the Stanley Cup.
The Maple Leafs opened at 10/1 to win it all before the Tavares signing. Once he joined the team, however, the odds dropped to 8/1.
LeBron and Love Lead NBA
Arguably the most anticipated free agent in all of sports was where LeBron James would end up. He ultimately joined the Lakers, getting a four-year deal worth $154 million. He was instantly hailed as a savior for the Los Angeles team, which hadn’t been to the playoffs since 2013.
James’ former team, the Cleveland Cavaliers, turned to Kevin Love to lead a team that saw its NBA Championship odds plummet the minute James went out West. The other All-Star forward inked an extension deal for four-years, $120 million.
College Football Government Contracts
It wasn’t just the pros that were signing for large sums of cash. Football coaches Nick Saban and Ohio State’s Urban Meyer were backing up the Brinks truck to their respective places of employment.
Saban had his contract reworked to give him eight years and anywhere from $8.3 million to $10 million depending on the year.
Meyer, who was suspended for the first three games of the season for his handling of a staff member’s domestic violence incident, was the next highest at $7.6 million.
Both coaches are the highest paid state employee in their respective states.