Joe Burrow’s bumper new $275MILLION contract has seen him become the third highest-paid athlete in major US sports, AHEAD of Inter Miami star Lionel Messi in fourth… but who are the top-five highest earners?

Joe Burrow’s new bumper contract has made him the third highest-paid athlete in major American sports.

The new five-year deal, worth $275 million, makes the quarterback the highest-paid player in NFL history.

Inter Miami star Lionel Messi is also in the top five after his move to David Beckham’s club in July.

The Argentinian star has had a wonderful start in the MLS so far. Messi helped the club to their first-ever trophy in August, beating Nashville in the Leagues Cup final.

Mail Sport analyzes which US athletes are the country’s highest earners.

5) Shea Weber – $110 million

NHL star Shea Weber is fifth on the list of highest-earning players. Weber signed a fourteen-year contract with the Nashville Predators in July 2012.

The contract, worth £88 million ($110 million), has a maximum amount of £6.2 million (7.8 million) per season. It also included a sign-on bonus worth £54.5 million ($68 million).

In 2023-2024, Weber will earn a base salary of £802,000 ($1 million).

4) Lionel Messi – $150 million

Lionel Messi officially signed for David Beckham’s Inter Miami in July. The Argentinian, who won the World Cup with his beloved country last year, has signed a two-and-a-half-year contract with the MLS club and is the highest-paid player in the league.

Messi, who won four Champions League titles with Barcelona and scored 672 goals in 778 appearances for the club, is said to have been offered a £60 million-a-year contract ($74 million) by Inter Miami, including new deals with Adidas and Apple. .

The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner will bank money from the sale of adidas shirts and Apple MLS subscriptions, while the deal would also include an option that could see him become part owner of the club.

He has had a perfect start to life in Miami so far, scoring eleven goals in as many games for the club.

3) Joe Burrow – $275 million

Cincinnati Bengals’ Joe Burrow has agreed to a record £220 million extension with the side.

The new five-year deal means the quarterback is the highest-paid player in NFL history. According to ESPN, the extension includes almost £176.3 million ($220 million) in guarantees.

Burrow, who led the Bengals to AFC North titles the past two seasons and a Super Bowl appearance in 2021, has been negotiating a long-term deal with the Bengals for some time.

While Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes has the largest total contract value at £360.8 million ($450 million) through 2031, his average annual salary of £36.8 million ($45 million) is still lower than Burrow’s £44.1 million ($55 million).

2) Jaylen Brown – $304 million

Boston Celtic signed Jaylen Brown on a whopping five-year £243 million ($304 million) extension in July.

Brown has played seven seasons in Boston and has developed into one of the top stars in the NBA.

The two-time All-Star averaged a career-high 26.6 points last season. along with 6.9 rebounds per night.

He had previously signed a four-year, £85.2 million ($106.3 million) contract extension in 2019. Brown’s new contract starts for the 2024-2025 season.

1) Mike Trout – $426.5 million

At No. 1, Mike Trout’s £341 million ($426.5 million) deal makes him the highest-paid athlete in major American sports.

The MLB star signed the huge contract extension with the Los Angeles Angels in 2019.

The 12-year deal also includes rewards that pay him £40,000 ($50,000) for winning the All-Star Game MVP, £80,000 ($100,000) for winning a Gold Glove, Silver Slugger or ALCS MVP and £400,000 ($500,000) for winning the AL MVP.

His stunning deal also included a home games suite and Diamond Club seats as part of the package.