Mahomes' big bet on football pays off with $503 million deal

Patrick Mahomes risked everything when he opted for football over baseball.

Turns out, he got baseball money anyway.

One day after the former two-sport star got a 10-year deal worth up to $503 million, the richest contract in American sports history, the reigning Super Bowl MVP repeatedly insisted this deal was about more than money. He wants to be the cornerstone of a dynasty in Kansas City.

“That’s how I’ve always been built — to follow my passions and do things to the best of my ability," the Chiefs quarterback said Tuesday on a Zoom call. “It's never been about money for me. I’m glad we have this done and I can go out and be the same player that I was and the same person that I was."

The Chiefs are banking on it.

They rewarded the 24-year-old Mahomes with $477 million in guarantee mechanisms, a no-trade clause and opt-out clauses if he doesn't hit those guarantees — clauses more commonly associated with baseball contracts than football deals.

But almost from the moment Kansas City traded up to select the Texas Tech star with the No. 10 overall pick in the 2017 draft, the front office had been mapping out a strategy to keep Mahomes.

“Going back to the first free agency I was part of in 2018, we had the idea of structuring deals with Pat in mind," general manager Brett Veach said.

“The one thing, as Pat's success kept going on, the numbers kept bigger and bigger. So it took off and that was a good challenge to have. But I remember when this first came out, (director of football administration) Brandt (Tilis) came to me said ‘Pat’s going to be a baseball contract, he’s that good.'”

He certainly has been the past two seasons.

His strong arm, fleet feet and uncanny ability to accurately throw from different angles already have made the...

source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/Mahomes-big-bet-on-football-pays-off-with-503-15392429.php