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Boardroom is a sports, media and entertainment brand co-founded by Kevin Durant and Rich Kleiman and focused on the intersection of sports and entertainment. Boardroom’s flagship media arm features premium video/audio, editorial, daily and weekly newsletters, showcasing how athletes, executives, musicians and creators are moving the business world forward. Boardroom’s ecosystem encompasses B2B events and experiences (such as its renowned NBA and WNBA All-Star events) as well as ticketed conferences such as Game Plan in partnership with CNBC. Our advisory arm serves to consult and connect athletes, brands and executives with our broader network and initiatives.

Recent film and TV projects also under the Boardroom umbrella include the Academy Award-winning Two Distant Strangers (Netflix), the critically acclaimed scripted series SWAGGER (Apple TV+) and Emmy-nominated documentary NYC Point Gods (Showtime).

Boardroom’s sister company, Boardroom Sports Holdings, features investments in emerging sports teams and leagues, including the Major League Pickleball team, the Brooklyn Aces, NWSL champions Gotham FC, and MLS’ Philadelphia Union.

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Rafael Devers Contract & Salary Breakdown

Last Updated: July 12, 2023
The Red Sox would stop at nothing to keep their star third baseman in town — Boardroom takes a look at Boston’s record-setting Rafael Devers contract extension particulars.

The Boston Red Sox had yet to make a major move to light the 2022-23 MLB offseason ablaze, but that wasn’t to suggest that they’re suddenly some sort of small market team. And taking into account that this franchise already saw stars like Mookie Betts and Xander Bogaerts leave town after being unable to come to terms on long-term extensions, strike three probably meant you’re out for this front office. The task was clear: re-sign All-Star third baseman Rafael Devers or start circling items in the want ads.

Fortunately, after Chaim Bloom and Co. bought some time by agreeing to a $17.5 million salary number for 2023 for the purposes of avoiding arbitration, the Fenway faithful were given nine figures’ worth of reasons to cheer in the early days of the new year:

As first reported by retired MLB slugger Carlos Baerga, Devers is staying in Boston on terms later confirmed to be 11 years and $331 million pending a medical evaluation.

With that in mind, let’s check out the finer salary details of Boston’s record-setting Rafael Devers contract extension.

Rafael Devers Contract Details & Salary

Numbers as first reported by Carlos Baerga and confirmed by multiple outlets.

Years: 11
Total value: $331,000,000
Average annual value: $30,090,909.09
Free agency: 2035

As noted, Devers will still make $17.5 million in 2023, his final year of arbitration eligibility, before the big-money extension kicks in starting in 2024.

The shortstop market has outpaced the hot corner this offseason by orders of magnitude — Trea Turner got $300 million, Xander Bogaerts got $280 million, and Dansby Swanson got $177 million. But in so many ways, this deal, along with that of newly-converted third baseman Carlos Correa of the New York Mets, does some serious work in swinging the salary pendulum back in the other direction.

Let’s note a few superlatives while we’re at it. Devers’ contract is:

  • The No. 1 largest in MLB history for a third baseman by total value and the No. 4 largest in MLB history at the position by average annual value
  • The fifth-largest contract in history for any MLB player by total value
  • Larger than the career MLB earnings of every player in history besides Alex Rodriguez ($455.16 million), Miguel Cabrera ($353.19 million), and Albert Pujols ($341.81 million)
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Rafael Devers’ Career Earnings

Salary data via Spotrac.

TOTAL MLB EARNINGS THRU 2022: $19,245,481

PROJECTED SALARY EARNINGS THRU 2034: $350,245,481

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Sam Dunn

Sam Dunn is the Managing Editor of Boardroom. Before joining the team, he was an editor and multimedia talent for several sports and culture verticals at Minute Media and an editor, reporter, and site manager at SB Nation. A specialist in content strategy, copywriting, and SEO, he has additionally worked as a digital consultant in the corporate services, retail, and tech industries. He cannot be expected to be impartial on any matter regarding the Florida Gators or Atlanta Braves. Follow him on Twitter @RealFakeSamDunn.

About The Author
Sam Dunn
Sam Dunn
Sam Dunn is the Managing Editor of Boardroom. Before joining the team, he was an editor and multimedia talent for several sports and culture verticals at Minute Media and an editor, reporter, and site manager at SB Nation. A specialist in content strategy, copywriting, and SEO, he has additionally worked as a digital consultant in the corporate services, retail, and tech industries. He cannot be expected to be impartial on any matter regarding the Florida Gators or Atlanta Braves. Follow him on Twitter @RealFakeSamDunn.