Shai Gilgeous-Alexander takes center stage with a league-shifting new deal, sparking comparisons across major U.S. sports leagues
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is back in the spotlight after signing a record-breaking extension with the OKC Thunder. This comes after the point-guard guided Oklahoma City to its first NBA Championship last month.
SGA’s current deal, which is a designated rookie extension contract worth $179 million spread across five years. The annual average remains at $35.8 million. That agreement runs through 2027, after which his unprecedented four-year extension will officially begin.
The new deal makes Shai Gilgeous-Alexander the highest-paid athlete across all U.S. leagues, surpassing names like Shohei Ohtani and Joel Embiid. The 26-year-old will earn an annual average salary of $71.3 million from 2027.
Moreover, the contract is spread over four years worth a whopping $285.4 million. In his final year in 2031, SGA will earn an annual salary of $78 million, a historic figure unmatched by any athlete in U.S. sports history to date.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander now tops the list of the highest contracts across major US leagues that include MLB, NBA, NFL, and NHL. These leagues command massive global viewership and revenue streams. Shohei Ohtani, who plays for the Los Angeles Dodgers in the MLB is second on the list of highest paid athletes.
| Rank | Name | Team | Average Annual Salary | Contract Duration |
| 1 | Shai Gilgeous-Alexander | OKC Thunder (NBA) | $71.3 million | 2027-31 |
| 2 | Shohei Ohtani | Los Angeles Dodgers (MLB) | $70 million | 2024-34 |
| 3 | Joel Embiid | Philadelphia 76ers (NBA) | $64.3 million | 2026-28 |
| 4 | Jayson Tatum | Boston Celtics (NBA) | $62.7 million | 2025-29 |
| 5 | Steph Curry | Golden State Warriors (NBA) | $62.5 million | 2026-27 |
Shohei Ohtani’s contract with the Dodgers is officially for 10 years and $700 million, but the payment is spread over 20 years. He’ll earn just $2 million per year during the 10-year playing contract (2024–2033), and then receive $68 million annually from 2034 to 2043 as deferred payments. This structure keeps his average annual value (AAV) at $70 million for salary cap purposes, while helping the Dodgers manage payroll flexibility in the short term.
It’s one of the most creative financial deals in sports history. On the third is Philadelphia 76ers Joel Embiid, who earns an average of $64.3 million annually. However, critics argue Embiid’s frequent absences make his contract one of the worst deals in sports history.
Boston Celtics’ Jayson Tatum is not far with his annual NBA salary of $62.7 million. Tatum’s new five-year deal worth $313,933,410 will come into effect from the 2025-26 season. While NBA legend Steph Curry remains at the fifth position, but his new contract and salary will come into effect in 2026.
Curry signed a one-year veteran extension deal, through which he will earn $62.5 million in the 2026-27 season. The NBA clearly leads the pack in financial power, dominating athlete salary charts across U.S. leagues. Four out of the top five highest paid athletes are in the NBA, while only one is from the MLB.
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