What is the largest signing bonus that an American athlete has ever received?

BRY2K

This is from 2002 - Donovan McNabb's $20.5 million signing bonus: "Philadelphia Eagles franchise quarterback Donovan McNabb and Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie speak at a news conference in Philadelphia, where McNabb agreed to a new 12-year contract with a total potential value of $115 million, the highest in NFL history. McNabb's deal runs through 2013, and includes a $20.5 million signing bonus, said his agent, Fletcher Smith. McNabb, playing his fourth year in the league after he was drafted No. 2 in 1999 out of Syracuse, will receive $13.5 million of that bonus up front and the rest after next season. Including the bonus, he'll get $30 million over the next three years, leaving $9.5 million in base salary over that span". (Mind you, a lot has changed since then so I am eager to read other responses.) http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1355/is_17_102/ai_92805405 May 27 08, 11:30 AM

kendall89

$34.5 million by Peyton Manning back in 2004. I'm sure that's dated info as well. Whoops, that was passed by Michael Vick's $37 million later in 2004. However he probably had to forfeit some of that... May 27 08, 2:47 PM