Harper Signs Record-Breaking Deal With Phillies
Feb 28, 2019, 4:03 PM | Updated: 4:06 pm
(Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. – Major League Baseball star Bryce Harper has signed a record-breaking deal with the Philadelphia Phillies.
Harper, one of MLB’s most highly sought after free agents in quite some time, inked a 13-year, $330 million deal with the Phillies after an extended free agency period. It’s the richest deal in baseball history.
It’s also the biggest contract in North American professional sports history.
.@Bharper3407 has reportedly agreed to sign with the @Phillies for 13 years, $330 million, according to @JeffPassan. pic.twitter.com/DpiUsQi5Ug
— MLB (@MLB) February 28, 2019
Harper, who played seven season with the Washington Nationals, is also a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He can be a polarizing member of the LDS community. He made national and local headlines in November 2018 when he stated that he hates BYU while appearing as a guest pick on ESPN’s College GameDay.
Game day crew picks Utah across the board. Bryce Harper is not a fan of the BYU. pic.twitter.com/qM4314vzCh
— Dear Old Crimson (@DearOldCrimson) November 24, 2018
Later in the year, he posted photos his Instagram and his wife’s Instagram when the couple met with Church president Russell M. Nelson and member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles Dieter F. Uchtdorf while attending General Conference.
A native of Las Vegas, Harper has been in the national spotlight nearly his entire life. He appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated at 16, was the top selection in the MLB Draft at 17 and won his first MVP award at 22. Now, at age 26, he can say he has the richest professional contract in any of the four major sports.