The MLSPA’s guaranteed pay formula does not provide a completely accurate picture of how much a player will make this season, despite the fact that this salary data is the only publicly accessible information from a key source detailing MLS player compensation. A salary may be more or lower in any given year during the course of the deal due to the way the MLSPA annualizes bonuses across the total number of years of a contract to earn guaranteed compensation. Additionally, these salaries do not reflect the levels at which players contribute to a team’s budget because that charge also takes into account an annualized share of any transfer or loan costs related to a specific player.
Transfer and loan fees are a significant expense for clubs; high-spending teams like Atlanta are said to have spent close to $30 million on transfers alone since the summer of 2016. Therefore, it’s crucial to remember that a team’s wage expenditure, as mentioned in the MLSPA release, only represents part of the sum they spend on their squad.
These figures represent agreements as of April 15. Since then, a few players have agreed to new contracts, notably Walker Zimmerman and Hany Mukhtar of Nashville SC, as well as Vela. According to reports, Vela and LAFC reached an agreement on a new deal in April that will keep him with the team at least through 2023. On June 30, his prior contract was about to end.
On April 29, Nashville declared that Mukhtar and Zimmerman had been given new contracts. Zimmerman’s new contract will pay him $10 million over the following four years, according to a report by Paul Tenorio of The Athletic earlier this month; Mukhtar’s new contract’s terms have not been made public.
Major League Soccer
The Major League Soccer (MLS) has improved dramatically over the past few years, and every team has to up its game to keep up. Unfortunately, any necessary upgrade almost always comes with a hefty price tag. Paying higher salaries in this instance was obviously necessary to attract better players.
The highest level of US soccer frequently participates in the transfer market, making fantastic moves with astonishing numbers. Not only to bring in superstars but also to trade some outstanding players who attract the interest of major European clubs.
Due to this circumstance, the MLS has developed into another international league that deals with huge sums of money. The total budget allocation for each MLS team in 2021 and 2022 is $9,225,000, which is divided between the Salary Budget ($4.9 million), General Allocation Money ($1.525 million), and Targeted Allocation Money ($2.8 million), which is frequently used on homegrown players and extending existing contracts. By 2027, this will have grown year over year to $13.01 million.
The so-called Beckham Rule for Designated Players was created to draw high-profile acquisitions to MLS. This enables MLS teams to sign up to three players as designated players, who are permitted to earn more than the wage cap’s maximum allowance. By bending their salary caps through greater salaries for the player or a fee given to the selling club, the system also enables MLS to compete for star names on the market. The MLS (through the league-wide pool of Allocation Money) and, if necessary, the team’s owner were each responsible for a portion of the acquisition’s overall cost. In addition, the player’s image rights may also be considered to raise his compensation.
When LA Galaxy reached an agreement to sign David Beckham as a free agent when his Real Madrid contract ended in 2007, the rule gained notoriety and became its unofficial name. Beckham, one of the most famous players in the League and the current captain of England, joined the Galaxy for a rumored $6.5 million contract per year.
Teams rarely spend more than $2 million on a designated player, despite the fact that Beckham’s entry into the MLS raised the bar as high as it would go. Atlanta United winger Luiz Arajo earns $3.9 million and is the highest-paid designated player to enter the MLS in the 2021 season.
Javier Hernández of the LA Galaxy ($6 million), Carlos Vela of the LAFC ($6.3 million), and Gonzalo Higuain of Inter Miami ($5.79 million guaranteed yearly pay) are the top three earners among active designated players in MLS.
Between 2021 and 2022, Major League Soccer will pay $4.7 million per player. Therefore, teams need to make $32,500 for each of these 20 positions. By the end of 2027, this total compensation will be $883 438. In 2020, senior roster positions had minimum pay of $871 375; by 2027, it would be $158 776. This displays the 1–20 salary rosters under the new CBA.
What’s the average salary for MLS?
A new collective bargaining agreement was reached between Major League Soccer (MLS) and the MLS Players’ Association (MLSPA), and it will be in force until 2027. The agreement established the salary cap and two additional ways for MLS clubs to spend money: General Allocation Money (GAM) and Targeted Allocation Money, among other things (TAM).
The wage budget or cap imposed on all 27 MLS clubs is $4.9 million, and it will be in force for the 2021 and 2022 seasons before increasing gradually over the course of the remaining collective bargaining agreement to $7 million by 2027. This figure is crucial for every club in the League. Teams may spend up to this amount on salaries for the 20 players listed on their senior rosters during a given season. However, MLS teams can choose to utilize only 18 players on their senior roster, leaving slots 19 and 20 available, allowing them to use all their salary cap on those 18 players.
Therefore, a non-designated MLS player’s salary in a season is $612,000.
The supplemental roster, above the senior roster, is comparable to a reserve team in European football. The 10 players on these rosters are divided into three different pay brackets: Senior Minimum Salary Players, who will make a minimum of $81,375 in 2021 and 2022; Reserve Minimum Salary Players, who will make a minimum of $63,547; and Homegrown Players, who will make a base salary that is comparable to that of Reserve Minimum Salary Players.
MLS player salary will differ depending on whether they are a designated player or sit on the bench. According to The Athletic, the average salary for MLS players is $398,725 for senior roster non-designated players.
Early 2021 MLS Salaries
First Name Last Name Club Position(s) Base Salary Guaranteed Compensation
Mohammed “Mo” Adams Atlanta United M $121,000.00 $141,000.00
Mikey Ambrose Atlanta United D $81,375.00 $81,375.00
Ezequiel Barco Atlanta United M $1,425,000.00 $1,425,000.00
Josh Bauer Atlanta United D $63,547.00 $63,547.00
George Bello Atlanta United D $135,000.00 $139,000.00
George Campbell Atlanta United D $80,000.00 $80,000.00
Machop Chol Atlanta United M-F $63,547.00 $63,547.00
Jackson Conway Atlanta United F $63,547.00 $63,547.00
Jurgen Damm Atlanta United M $1,290,000.00 $1,582,509.00
Alex De John Atlanta United D $81,375.00 $81,375.00
Franco Escobar Atlanta United D $450,000.00 $450,000.00
Alan Franco Atlanta United D $378,000.00 $505,500.00
Jack Gurr Atlanta United M $95,000.00 $95,000.00
Brad Guzan Atlanta United GK $805,000.00 $805,000.00
Ronald Hernandez Atlanta United D $250,000.00 $250,000.00
Emerson Hyndman Atlanta United M $900,000.00 $900,000.00
Franco Ibarra Atlanta United D-M $300,000.00 $370,000.00
Alec Kann Atlanta United GK $115,000.00 $115,000.00
Andrew Tarbell Austin FC GK $275,000.00 $283,333.00
Ignacio Aliseda Chicago Fire F $600,000.00 $821,501.00
Robert Beric Chicago Fire F $2,274,996.00 $2,703,164.00
Jonathan Bornstein Chicago Fire D $300,000.00 $323,200.00
Chris Brady Chicago Fire GK $66,724.00 $68,624.00
Francisco Calvo Chicago Fire D $830,000.00 $902,600.00
Javier Casas Chicago Fire M $66,724.00 $68,624.00
Elliot Collier Chicago Fire F $101,375.00 $101,375.00
Jhon Espinoza Chicago Fire D $162,000.00 $188,500.00
Przemyslaw Frankowski Chicago Fire M $675,000.00 $886,688.00
Gaston Gimenez Chicago Fire M $2,058,000.00 $2,358,667.00
Brian Gutierrez Chicago Fire M $66,724.00 $68,624.00
Fabian Herbers Chicago Fire F $230,000.00 $251,250.00
Stanislav Ivanov Chicago Fire M $275,000.00 $334,000.00
Johan Kappelhof Chicago Fire D $462,500.00 $490,333.00
Kenneth Kronholm Chicago Fire GK $569,000.00 $632,000.00
Alvaro Medran Chicago Fire M $1,000,000.00 $1,055,000.00
Alex Monis Chicago Fire F $66,724.00 $68,624.00
Miguel Angel Navarro Chicago Fire D $120,000.00 $167,000.00
Chinonso Offor Chicago Fire F $132,000.00 $181,400.00
Wyatt Omsberg Chicago Fire D $85,444.00 $85,444.00
Mauricio Pineda Chicago Fire M $175,000.00 $198,875.00
Andre Reynolds Chicago Fire D $81,375.00 $89,375.00
Allan Rodriguez Chicago Fire M $66,724.00 $68,624.00
Efrain Morales Atlanta United D $63,547.00 $63,547.00
Marcelino Moreno Atlanta United M $400,000.00 $400,000.00
Jake Mulraney Atlanta United M $275,600.00 $312,777.00
Miles Robinson Atlanta United D $650,000.00 $687,500.00
Matheus Rossetto Atlanta United M $550,000.00 $662,500.00
Santiago Sosa Atlanta United M $385,000.00 $503,100.00
Erick Torres Atlanta United F $81,375.00 $81,375.00
Anton Walkes Atlanta United D $250,000.00 $275,062.00
Tyler Wolff Atlanta United F-M $75,000.00 $79,500.00
Sebastian Berhalter Austin FC M $85,000.00 $122,250.00
Matt Besler Austin FC D $650,000.00 $650,000.00
Julio Cascante Austin FC D $290,000.00 $317,500.00
Cecilio Dominguez Austin FC M $1,530,000.00 $1,736,000.00
Diego Fagundez Austin FC M $400,000.00 $400,000.00
Elliot Collier Chicago Fire F $101,375.00 $101,375.00
Jhon Espinoza Chicago Fire D $162,000.00 $188,500.00
Przemyslaw Frankowski Chicago Fire M $675,000.00 $886,688.00
Gaston Gimenez Chicago Fire M $2,058,000.00 $2,358,667.00
Brian Gutierrez Chicago Fire M $66,724.00 $68,624.00
Fabian Herbers Chicago Fire F $230,000.00 $251,250.00
Stanislav Ivanov Chicago Fire M $275,000.00 $334,000.00
Johan Kappelhof Chicago Fire D $462,500.00 $490,333.00
Kenneth Kronholm Chicago Fire GK $569,000.00 $632,000.00
Alvaro Medran Chicago Fire M $1,000,000.00 $1,055,000.00
Alex Monis Chicago Fire F $66,724.00 $68,624.00
Miguel Angel Navarro Chicago Fire D $120,000.00 $167,000.00
Chinonso Offor Chicago Fire F $132,000.00 $181,400.00
Wyatt Omsberg Chicago Fire D $85,444.00 $85,444.00
Mauricio Pineda Chicago Fire M $175,000.00 $198,875.00
Andre Reynolds Chicago Fire D $81,375.00 $89,375.00
Allan Rodriguez Chicago Fire M $66,724.00 $68,624.00
Boris Sekulic Chicago Fire D $571,000.00 $643,900.00
Bobby Shuttleworth Chicago Fire GK $110,000.00 $125,750.00
Gabriel Slonina Chicago Fire GK $100,000.00 $104,800.00
Nicholas Slonina Chicago Fire D $66,724.00 $67,974.00
Luka Stojanovic Chicago Fire M $314,000.00 $373,400.00
Carlos Teran Chicago Fire D $150,000.00 $205,440.00
Lalas Abubakar Colorado Rapids D $210,000.00 $247,125.00
Kellyn Acosta Colorado Rapids M $1,000,000.00 $1,115,000.00
Jurgen Locadia FC Cincinnati F $2,500,000.00 $2,812,500.00
Ben Lundt FC Cincinnati GK $85,444.00 $87,019.00
Ronald Matarrita FC Cincinnati D $700,000.00 $753,083.00
Haris Medunjanin FC Cincinnati M $570,000.00 $625,750.00
Ben Mines FC Cincinnati M $81,375.00 $86,239.00
Kamohelo Mokotjo FC Cincinnati D-M $925,000.00 $1,007,969.00
Tom Pettersson FC Cincinnati D $325,000.00 $368,233.00
Kalil Elmedkhar FC Dallas M-F $63,547.00 $63,547.00
Jesus Ferreira FC Dallas F $550,000.00 $550,000.00
Matt Hedges FC Dallas D $850,000.00 $850,000.00
Ryan Hollingshead FC Dallas D $346,500.00 $346,500.00
Franco Jara FC Dallas F $2,290,000.00 $2,977,000.00
Victor Ulloa Inter Miami M $220,000.00 $220,000.00
Felipe Valencia Inter Miami M $63,547.00 $63,547.00
Danilo Acosta LA Galaxy D $135,000.00 $135,000.00
Kim Moon-Hwan LAFC D-M $500,000.00 $524,000.00
Jesus Murillo LAFC D $400,000.00 $459,500.00
Danny Musovski LAFC F $85,444.00 $85,444.00
Kwadwo Opoku LAFC F $81,375.00 $122,430.00
Jalil Anibaba Nashville SC D $200,000.00 $200,000.00
Tah Brian Anunga Nashville SC M $81,375.00 $81,375.00
Dominique Badji Nashville SC F $300,000.00 $306,250.00
Top 10 Highest Paid Players
Xherdan Shaqiiri of the Chicago Fire has evolved into one of the League’s highest paid players. By the end of 2022, the MLS Players Association will guarantee compensation for Swiss nationals in the amount of $815 million. This amount exceeds the $6.5 million guarantee made by LA Galaxy player J.J. Hernandez, who ranks second in MLS in terms of earnings. In addition, Shaqiri reportedly paid Chicago a fee of $7.5 million to sign with them this winter.
The top two players on the list of highest salaries are both strikers from Mexico. Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez ($6.0 million) is partnered with Carlos Vela ($6.3 million). Gonzalo Higuain of Inter Miami CF, who costs over $5.8 million, is the next player on the list. Alejandro Pozuelo, the first non-striker, is ranked fourth (almost $4.7 million), and Josef Martinez completes the top five (nearly $3.9 million).
The top 10 positions with guaranteed compensation are shown below.
· Carlos Vela (LAFC) – $6,300,000
· Javier Hernandez (LA Galaxy) – $6,000,000
· Gonzalo Higuain (Inter Miami) – $5,793,750
· Alenajdro Pozuelo (Toronto FC) – $4,693,000
· Josef Martinez (Atlanta United) – $3,891,667
· Jozy Altidore (Toronto FC) – $3,602,250
· Rodolfo Pizarro (Inter Miami) – $3,350,000
· Victor Wanyama (CF Montreal) – $3,091,667
· Franco Jara (FC Dallas) – $2,977,000
Toronto is in charge once more, and Inter Miami is one of the new big spenders. Yeferson Soteldo is not listed on the report (this only includes players signed by the roster compliance deadline. Therefore, it excludes new contracts that were agreed to after that day), yet Toronto may very well have a third player high up. The first Sporting KC player to appear on the list is Alan Pulido, who is ranked 20th with a $2,200,000 salary.
Highest MLS Team Spending 2022
· Toronto FC — $32,234,728
· LA Galaxy — $27,303,314
· Inter Miami — $24,194,278
· Atlanta United — $22,431,357
· Chicago Fire — $19,355,763
· LAFC — $19,001,888
· New England Revolution — $18,584,553
· Columbus Crew — $17,892,808
· Seattle Sounders — $16,983,746
· Houston Dynamo — $16,867,485
· New York City FC — $16,504,148
· D.C. United — $16,282,352
· FC Cincinnati — $16,281,087
· FC Dallas — $15,761,683
· Vancouver Whitecaps — $14,897,149
· Sporting Kansas City — $14,736,204
· Austin FC — $14,639,786
· Real Salt Lake — $14,609,198
· Nashville SC — $14,145,780
· CF Montreal — $13,059,176
· Orlando City — $11,956,012
· Charlotte FC — $11,661,661
· Portland Timbers — $11,377,505
· Minnesota United — $11,157,156
· San Jose Earthquakes — $10,702,272
· Colorado Rapids — $10,570,955
· Philadelphia Union — $10,360,287
· New York Red Bulls — $9,642,386
You can see that money spent is not everything. Near the bottom of the standings, the Philadelphia Union won the Supporters’ Shield that year. Near the top, Miami and Cincinnati have yet to make that spending work (especially Cincy).
In terms of spending, Sporting Kansas City placed ninth, putting them in the top third of the League. They rank ninth in terms of spending per player. However, that is distorted by the absence of their two Homegrown acquisitions, Pierre and Rad, as all of these rankings are affected by very recent additions (Toronto is almost surely first in spending).
Important factors that impact an MLS soccer player’s salary
As previously said, various elements might directly impact how much an MLS player earns. While you may have a notion of what these criteria are, we will emphasize the most significant ones.
Skill level
This is the most obvious of them all, but it bears mentioning. When determining an MLS player’s wage, the quality and skill level of the player is almost often the first factor considered. After all, these players are paid based on their ability, as has been the case in soccer for quite some time. Consider this: an average midfielder will always be paid the same as a striker with the ability to lead the League in goals scored.
Impact on the team
Every MLS season includes many games, and while determining compensation for that player, the team must consider how frequently they will be on the field. After all, they can only influence the game while they are physically present on the field. It makes no difference how good a player is if they are going to be injured for most of the season. This is a big factor that clubs consider when bringing in players nearing the end of their careers, as the older they are, the more injuries they are likely to sustain.
Anticipated pitch time
Every MLS season includes a large number of games, and while determining compensation for that player, the team must consider how frequently they will be on the field. After all, they can only influence the game while they are physically present on the field. It makes no difference how good a player is if they are going to be injured for most of the season. This is a big factor that clubs consider when bringing in players nearing the end of their careers, as the older they are, the more injuries they are likely to sustain.
Revenue generation for the club
Recall what we stated earlier regarding commercial dealings. Again, the possible return on investment comes into play here. In general, clubs will generate a large amount of income from the quantity of tickets they sell for seasons and games. This aspect significantly affects the issue, “How much do MLS players make?” Soccer players like Wayne Rooney and Zlatan Ibrahimovic joining the MLS in recent years are two outstanding examples.
These guys are major celebrities, so they will draw in admirers and generate income. So it makes sense to anticipate they would be paid more when this is guaranteed.
The club they play for
Clubs are only permitted to pay what is reasonable in relation to the available funds. So why do you believe a football team like Manchester City can afford to give its players such exorbitant wages? First, the amount of money that clubs get from outside sources, along with the continual production of revenue, significantly impacts how much the players are paid. Currently, clubs like Austin FC and Philadelphia Union have the lowest player salary costs, while clubs like Toronto FC and Inter Miami have some of the highest.
What is Annualized Average Guaranteed Compensation?
A player’s base salary and any signing and guaranteed bonuses are included in the annual average guaranteed compensation (Guaranteed Comp) figure. Option years are also included in this calculation.
The guaranteed salary, outside the player’s base salary, includes all bonuses received at the time of signing. For example, consider that Inter Miami FC has signed players for four more years at a salary of up to $100,000. These participants make $200 a year, but the incentive is $222,500 yearly because bonuses must be paid off over a four-year period. You can even use those extra $5,000 bonuses as a guarantee of payment. Another justification for guaranteed income is the payment of legal representation costs by soccer players’ agents.
Performance bonuses are not included in the average annual guaranteed compensation number because there is no assurance that the player will be eligible for them.
What is Targeted Allocation Money in Soccer?
Targeted Allocation Money, or Discretionary TAM, generally means paying a player’s salary over the maximum budget. The MLS league gives the team this money, which can help the soccer club pay down a designated player’s compensation, which can help free up a designated player spot for them to sign a new player. Soccer clubs can also send TAM to other teams via a trade to help sweeten the deals.
TAM is a way to help soccer clubs free up money to sign better international talent on their team. In addition, singing international talent helps bring more worldwide attention to MLS, which is ultimately the goal of the League.
How much money can be used to bolster a soccer team’s roster?
A new MLS CBA agreement runs from 2021 through 2027. During that time, the League’s predicted higher revenue will boost the possible spending on the roster each year. The wage budget, generalized allocation money, and discretionary TAM are all available for roster spending.
· 2021: $9.225 Million
· 2022: $9.325 Million
· 2023: $9.83 Million
· 2024: $10.455 Million
· 2025: $11.105 Million
· 2026: $11.830 Million
· 2027: $13.013 Million
Budget for Spots 1–20 in Major League Soccer
In 2021 and 2022, each Major League Soccer team has a salary budget of $4.9 million for positions 1-20 on its roster. Teams can only spend a maximum of $612,500 per player among those 20 places. The maximum wage will steadily rise under the CBA from 2021 through 2027, reaching $883,438 in 2027. In 2021, the minimum compensation for senior roster positions is $81,375, rising to $125,875 in 2027.
The breakdown of salary roster spots 1-20 via the new CBA in MLS.
· 2021: $4.9 Million
· 2022: $4.9 Million
· 2023: $5.47 Million
· 2024: $5.47 Million
· 2025: $5.95 Million
· 2026: $6.425 Million
· 2027: $7.068 Million
What is the league minimum salary for MLS players?
In 2019, the maximum annual wage for a player on an elite player list is $8,025. The estimated minimum League wage is 125875. In 2023, the Reserves roster’s maximum compensation is $63,547. Because 34 games are played during the MLS season, a player may receive a maximum and minimum pay in exchange for the amount he earns. The highest senior wage is used in this scheme for all players who are not selected. The average pay will then fall within that range. However, it is a means of explaining the average salary of MLS players.
Why Do Teams in MLS Have a Soft Cap?
Because roster spaces 21-30 do not go against the wage cap, MLS has a soft cap. As a result, these roster positions are normally allocated for backups and homegrown talent because they are smaller than those for senior players.
MLS enables three designated player acquisitions per team each season, in addition to roster positions 21-30, not counting against the wage cap. This may surpass the team’s salary cap. This guideline became known as the Beckham Rule when he signed a five-year contract with the LA Galaxy in 2007 for $6.5 million per year.
When a team signs a Designated Player, a percentage of that pay, $612,500, is deducted from their cap. They must then pay the remainder of the money to the player via allocation or other income sources for that season.
Soccer clubs can use the designated player option to attract top soccer talent worldwide. As a result, even if the player’s income is in the millions, they must disclose a maximum compensation of $612,500 in 2022. Following that, the maximum amount will rise to $883,438 in 2027.
That means that if a player earns $5 million per season, their compensation in 2022 will be $612,500, as opposed to the $4.9 salary for positions 1-20 on their team. The remaining is up to the soccer club to cover through revenue generated by the club.
Soccer clubs can use the designated player option to attract top soccer talent from around the world. As a result, even if the player’s income is in the millions, they must disclose a maximum compensation of $612,500 in 2022. Following that, the maximum amount will rise to $883,438 in 2027.
That means that if a player earns $5 million per season, their compensation in 2022 will be $612,500, as opposed to the $4.9 salary for positions 1-20 on their team. The remaining is up to the soccer club to cover through revenue generated by the club.
That list of millionaires in MLS is continuously expanding. There are now 72 players making at least $1 million, five of whom are employed by SKC (Pulido, Nicolas Isimat-Mirin, and Ilie Sanchez). Following FC Cincinnati, who have six millionaires, that is the second-highest number in the League.
Technically, Toronto FC probably has five with the Yeferson signing, but the Columbus Crew and the Seattle Sounders are all listed as having four millionaires. Everyone else has three or less.
Does Major League Soccer Have a Hard Salary Cap?
In Major League Soccer, as in Major League Baseball, there is no hard salary cap. Instead, Major League Soccer has a wage budget for each team. However, the Annualized Average Guaranteed Compensation also elevates specific squads above the salary barrier.
Unlike the NFL, which has a hard salary cap, MLS has a soft salary cap that provides wiggle room through designated player signings.
Across the League
Average compensation across the League continues to rise as well. It was $411,996 at the close of 2019, but it is currently $423,232. So in total, inside the released data, there is a total of $332,660,079 in compensation across the League to the players.
Other Compensation Facts
In the League, Andreu Fontas is paid fourth among defenders, after only Ali Adnan (Vancouver), Kiki Struna (Montreal), and Jonathan Mensah (Columbus). Sixth is Nicolas Isimat-Mirin (with Omar Gonzalez in between the KC players).
Johnny Russell is the 13th highest paid forward in the League, whereas Alan Pulido is ranked as the 10th. Only one other team, Cincinnati, has two players ranked among the top 13. (LA Galaxy has two in the top 14).
Ilie makes the most money for the squad as a midfielder, although he only ranks 36th in the League. In terms of midfielders, Gadi Kinda is ranked 42nd, Remi Walter is 67th, Roger Espinoza is 87th, and Gianluca Busio is 184th.
SKC has nine players who earn more than the maximum budget charge ($630,000), which means that either their salaries are being reduced with Targeted Allocation Money (TAM), General Allocation Money (GAM), or Designated Player status. That represents a marginal drop from 2020 when the maximum budget fee was lower. A few players are just below that threshold.
2021 Guaranteed Salaries for Each MLS Team
· LA Galaxy: $20,322,677
· Atlanta United: $20,058,025
· Toronto FC: $19,271,292
· Inter Miami: $17,546,831
· LAFC: $15,163,891
· New York City FC: $15,163,891
· Columbus Crew: $14,319,351
· Sporting Kansas City: $14,129,111
· Seattle Sounders: $13,588,370
· FC Cincinnati: $13,112,516
· Chicago Fire FC: $13,035, 568
· Nashville SC: $12,766,244
· CF Montreal: $12,725,037
· Real Salt Lake: $12,659,495
· Austin FC: $12,576,476
· FC Dallas: $11,986,192
· Portland Timbers: $11,980,061
· Minnesota United: $11,796,418
· Orlando City SC: $11,681,764
· New England Revolution: $11,681,240
· D.C. United: $11,506,162
· Houston Dynamo: $11,152,451
· San Jose Earthquakes: $11,036,928
· Vancouver Whitecaps: $10,962,821
· Philadelphia Union: $10,484,622
· New York Red Bulls: $9,976,295
· Colorado Rapids: $9,890,985
Does Major League Soccer have a salary cap?
The salary cap in MLB has never been set. Major league Soccer has an annualized average guaranteed salary and also sets specific players above other salary limits. Like the NFL, there was a hard cap in MLS, which has a soft cap that lets players get some flexibility through specific signings.
How much money can be spent on soccer rosters?
MLS is now offering CBA services between 2021 and 2027. During this period, the team’s budgets are increasing each season from the projected extra revenue the League brings every season. In addition, salaries and other funds, including TAN, cover all roster spending.
Conclusion
The MLS has a soft cap against which they must budget for roster places 1-20. In addition to the soft cap of $4.9 million in 2022, soccer clubs can spend more on designated players, allowing them to attract top talent from around the world.
Minimum compensation for players has increased as the MLS has grown. For example, a non-designated player on the senior roster will see their minimum compensation rise from $81k in 2022 to $125k in 2027. The same is true for non-senior roster places since their minimum wage rises as the League expands with more stadiums, team product sales, TV contracts, and other factors.
Finally, keep in mind that MLS is a single entity. Consider each MLS club a restaurant chain that eventually symbolizes the corporation they work for. The team owners are there to create money for MLS, and the League allows the owners to operate within set parameters to aid the League as a whole.
FAQS
What is the lowest MLS salary?
The minimum salary for the 24 most valuable players on any roster is $84,000. Players in slots 25 to 28 are required to pay at least $65,500. Strus’s trial. Triumph in a USMNT star’s absence from the United States in 2022. Strauss: Seattle is an excellent CCL champion.
How much do average MLS players make?
The average MLS player’s salary in the United States is $312470. Average annual wages are $8170 444 for the whole team. In addition, from 2021 to 2027, football fans are expected to share revenue based on new media contracts. Aside from salaries, players receive 401k plans that are agreed upon by the team.
