1. Skip to content
  2. Skip to main menu
  3. Skip to more DW sites

Stanton speaks up

November 20, 2014

Giancarlo Stanton's $325 million deal with the Major League Baseball team Miami Marlins is the richest contract in American sports history. But, the outfielder says, with the paycheck comes responsibility.

https://p.dw.com/p/1DqY3
Giancarlo Stanton
Image: imago/ZUMA Press

Baseball star Giancarlo Stanton has spoken out about his new contract worth $325 million (259 million euros), which he signed this week with the Miami Marlins.

"I know I have a lot of expectations I have to live up to, which I'm willing to do," he said at a press conference in Miami.

Giancarlo Stanton
Stanton was selected for the Major League Baseball All-Star Game in 2012 and 2014Image: imago/Icon SMI

Despite it being the biggest sports contract in the history of US sports, 25-year-old Stanton won't be immediately among the sport's top earners. Reports suggest the 13-year contract is back-loaded - meaning that more money will be paid out later on - and that he may earn 'only' $6.5 million next season.

Either way, the pressure of the huge grand total, which will be paid out if Stanton stays with Miami through until 2027, does not seem to worry the Californian.

"This isn't like having a winning lottery ticket and peace out," he said. "You win the lottery and go away, retire. This is the start of new work and a new job for this city. It's a huge responsibility."

Just part of the plan

Back-loading the deal allows Miami a chance to add some other key players to their roster over the course of next season.

"We have got to add pieces around me. We've got to trust that we're all in it to win it. That's why it's structured that way," Stanton, one of the game's most feared sluggers, said when asked about the back-loading.

"I want to win. Yeah, I'm financially good for the rest of my life, great, but I'm not trying to come here and get my butt kicked for 10 hours and go home to a lavish lifestyle every day. That's not fun for me."

"At the end of the day I want to be playing in October, I don't want to be on vacation."

Media reports have said that, under the new contract, Stanton would be paid $107 million over the first six years, before an opt-out clause kicks in. He would then be paid $218 million over the final seven years if he continues at the Marlins.

al/rd (Reuters, AP)