Professional athletes are some of the highest-paid individuals in the world. They are compensated not only for their skills, but also for the value they bring to their teams and the entertainment they provide to fans. However, despite their high salaries, not all athletes perform up to their expected standards. In this article, we will look at some of the professional athletes with the most expensive contracts but the worst performances.
One of the athletes that immediately comes to mind is former NBA player Gilbert Arenas. In 2008, he signed a six-year, $111 million contract with the Washington Wizards, making him one of the highest-paid players in the league. However, his performance on the court did not match his salary. He was plagued with injuries and off-court controversies, including a gun incident in the locker room that resulted in a suspension from the league. He was eventually waived by the Wizards in 2010 and his contract was bought out.
Another NBA player with a hefty contract and disappointing performance is Chandler Parsons. In 2016, he signed a four-year, $94 million deal with the Memphis Grizzlies. However, his time with the team was marred by injuries and lackluster performances on the court. He played in just 95 games over two and a half seasons and averaged just 7.2 points per game. He was eventually traded to the Atlanta Hawks, where he continued to struggle with injuries and was eventually waived.
In the NFL, one of the most highly paid players with a disappointing performance is quarterback Brock Osweiler. In 2016, he signed a four-year, $72 million contract with the Houston Texans after spending the previous four seasons as a backup quarterback for the Denver Broncos. However, he struggled to live up to expectations and was eventually benched midway through his first season with the team. He was then traded to the Cleveland Browns, who released him after just one season.
Another NFL player with a massive contract and underwhelming performance is quarterback Joe Flacco. In 2019, he signed a three-year, $66.4 million deal with the Denver Broncos after spending the previous 11 seasons with the Baltimore Ravens. However, his time with the Broncos was plagued with injuries and inconsistent performances on the field. He was eventually benched in favor of a younger quarterback and was released by the team in 2020.
In Major League Baseball, one of the most highly paid players with a disappointing performance is pitcher David Price. In 2016, he signed a seven-year, $217 million contract with the Boston Red Sox, making him one of the highest-paid players in the league at the time. However, his time with the team was marred by injuries and inconsistent performances on the mound. He was eventually traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers, where he struggled with injuries and was limited to just five starts in the shortened 2020 season.
While professional athletes with the most expensive contracts are expected to perform at a high level, it is not always the case. These athletes may be plagued by injuries, off-court controversies, or simply be unable to meet the expectations set for them. Regardless, their high salaries will continue to draw scrutiny and attention from fans and the media alike.