The Toronto Blue Jays made perhaps their most impactful business decision in franchise history this weekend when they opted to keep Vladimir Guerrero Jr. on a long-term deal.
The reported US$500-million contract over 14 years isn’t just the biggest in Blue Jays history by a long shot — it’s actually the biggest contract in Canadian sports history for a single athlete and the fifth-largest in the history of professional sports.
Guerrero is a dual citizen of Canada and the Dominican Republic. He was born in Montreal during his father’s time with the Montreal Expos, but he always represents his family’s heritage internationally.
George Springer’s US$150-million contract over six years was the previous largest in Blue Jays history, while Joey Votto’s US$225-million deal with the Cincinnati Reds was the previous high for a Canadian-born player.
Looking at NHL deals, it’s no real comparison.
Of Canadian players, Shea Weber actually holds the record for most total money in a contract, with a US$110-million deal signed by the Nashville Predators on the same 14-year timeline. Given that Weber will not play in the final four years of his deal (and has already been inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame before it expires in 2026), you can understand why the NHL capped out future deals at eight years in a later collective bargaining agreement.
Of players on a Canadian team, Leon Draisaitl’s eight-year, US$112-million deal with the Edmonton Oilers is the biggest ever, though Connor McDavid has a shot at topping that with his next contract.
In the NBA, Scottie Barnes has a five-year extension that has yet to kick in for the Raptors, which is worth anywhere from US$234 million to US$270 million, depending on performance bonuses. Of Canadian players, Jamal Murray makes a similar figure, as he’s signed to a five-year deal worth US$243 million in guaranteed cash. Leading MVP candidate and Toronto native Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will likely top that deal when his current US$179-million contract expires after the 2026-27 season.
There are obviously no NFL teams in Canada, but Guerrero’s getting paid more than any players there too, topping Patrick Mahomes’ 10-year, US$450-million deal with the Kansas City Chiefs.
For the CFL, the yearly salary cap for the entire league is C$54 million, so Guerrero could probably take control of the entire league if he wanted to.
With such a large price tag attached to the deal, the pressure is now on for the Blue Jays and Guerrero to take the team on a deep postseason run in the coming years.
John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
