The reported 10-year, $700 million contract between Shohei Ohtani and the Los Angeles Dodgers is making history in sports. After years of speculation and a covert courtship process per Ohtani’s request, the internet went crazy on the fateful day he made his decision.
[Mintz:[Mintz:Shohei Ohtani’s flight to nowhere: A timeline of the weirdest day of the MLB offseason]
Sealing the deal the following day, Ohtani is now set to be a Dodger for the next decade. His saga is just the latest in a series of dramatic free-agency periods across various sports.
Reggie White: Green Bay Packers, 1993
Three decades have passed since Reggie White made a significant impact as a free agent in the NFL. His signing with the Green Bay Packers set a new standard for how elite talent is valued in the league.
White’s move to Green Bay for four years and $17 million, including $9 million in the first year, set the bar high for free-agency negotiations. His postseason contributions cemented his legacy, leading the Packers to a Super Bowl win in 1996.
The Defensive Player of the Year award in his final year with the Packers capped off a Hall of Fame career, with White leaving a lasting impact on the NFL.
Deion Sanders: San Francisco 49ers, 1994; Dallas Cowboys, 1995
Rarely does a Hall of Famer become available in free agency, let alone two years in a row. Deion Sanders brought his prime skills to both the San Francisco 49ers and the Dallas Cowboys, making a lasting impact in both cities.
Sanders’ ability to make game-changing plays helped secure two Super Bowl victories for both teams, making him one of the highest-paid defensive players in the NFL at the time.
