The Most Expensive Injuries in Sports 💸🤕

Injuries don’t just sideline athletes, they can cost teams tens of millions in “dead money.”

Here are 9 of the costliest injury seasons ever (based on salary paid while the player couldn’t perform)👇

Adrian Peterson (NFL)

Torn ACL + MCL in 2011 → missed most of the season.

💰 Salary paid: $14.9M

A superstar RB gone = huge blow on and off the field.

See also: Transfer Deadline Day’s Biggest Updates

Derrick Rose (NBA)

Tore ACL in 2012 playoffs → out nearly all of 2012–13.

💰 Salary paid: $17.6M

His career path changed forever, and the Bulls paid the price.

Gilbert Arenas (NBA)

Knee surgeries meant missing big chunks of 2008–09.

💰 Salary paid: $11M+ annually

A cautionary tale: guaranteed contracts can haunt teams.

Johan Santana (MLB)

Re-tore shoulder capsule, out for all of 2013.

💰 Salary paid: $22M

Pitcher injuries show just how risky long-term deals can be.

Kevin Durant (NBA)

Signed with Brooklyn knowing he’d sit all of 2019–20 (Achilles rupture).

💰 Salary paid: $38.2M

A gamble but it paid off once he came back elite.

Klay Thompson (NBA)

Missed 2 full seasons (2019–20 & 2020–21) with ACL + Achilles tears.

💰 Salary paid: ~$68M ($32.7M + $35.3M)

The Warriors stuck by him, but their cap took a massive hit.

Kobe Bryant (NBA)

Missed 76 games in 2013–14 (knee fracture & injuries).

💰 Salary paid: $28.2M

One of the biggest single-season losses in NBA history.

Raef LaFrentz (NBA)

Missed the entire 2007–08 season (shoulder).

💰 Salary paid: $12.7M

One of many NBA “big men” contracts sunk by injuries.

Tom Brady (NFL)

Torn knee ligament in Week 1, missed all of 2008.

💰 Salary paid: $7.3M

Not the costliest but maybe the most shocking. The GOAT sidelined.