These are the highest paid athletes in Las Vegas!
#4 Jackie Young (Las Vegas Aces): $504,900, 2-year contract
Jacie Young is the highest-paid member of the Las Vegas Aces and an important player for the team. The three-year veteran was drafted by the Aces in 2019, averaging six points, four rebounds, and three assists as a rookie. Those numbers improved to 11 points a game in 2020, and she eventually became a crucial part of the Aces’ offense. That only improved under new head coach Becky Hammon, who now has her at 12 points, one steal, three rebounds, and four assists. She also has improved her three-point game as well.
While Young might be the highest-paid player on the Aces this season, expect that to possibly change when A’ja Wilson and Chelsea Grey’s contracts are up in the coming seasons. They are both going to want more money and will probably deserve it given their performances.
#3 Kyle Busch (Joe Gibbs Racing): $16 million, 2-year contract
Kyle Busch is the only other person on this list without a guaranteed home next year, putting him in a unique position. What is the Las Vegas native really worth, though, and what can he get away with asking for?
Kyle Busch earned $16 million in his last two seasons with Joe Gibbs Racing and a pretty lucrative endorsement bonus. Joe Gibbs Racing is reportedly still trying to get a deal done with Busch but is struggling to find a sponsor. Richard Childress Racing is another name being thrown around, which would put Busch in a Chevrolet for the first time in a decade.
#2 Jack Eichel (Las Vegas Golden Knights): $80 million, 8-year contract + $15,000 million signing bonus
Jack Eichel is the second highest-paid athlete in Las Vegas and one of the best to ever come to sin city. Not only is that evident by his high-scoring and assist numbers, but also due to his ability to capitalize on power play points. He could even play a big role in getting the Las Vegas Golden Knights back into the playoffs if he stays healthy
While fans remain hopeful that he will have a big impact, others are concerned about his neck issues. $80 million is a lot to pay anyone with that kind of injury. Is he worth the money? We’ll have to wait until the 2022 – 2023 season to find out.
#1 Derek Carr (Las Vegas Raiders): $121.5 million, 3-year contract
Derek Carr is the highest-paid athlete in Las Vegas! The franchise quarterback earned the honor after signing a $121.5 million extension with the Raiders during the offseason. The contract is good for three years and includes a $19.87 million base salary for 2022.
While many are quick to criticize this decision, they fail to look at the whole picture. The Raiders had one of the worst defenses in the league last season, forcing Carr back on the field frequently. He also didn’t have a dynamic running game to rely on, which forced him to throw more. This all came together to make life very difficult for the young quarterback.
The time has come for Carr to prove that he is worth the money, and hopefully, he will.
