Release Of MLS Player Salaries Shows Pay Disparity

Onstad Feels Making Players’ Salaries Public Will Point Out Discrepancies In Pay

Following a vote by player reps, the MLS Players Union (MLSPU) has made salaries public for the first time since the organization’s inception in ‘03, according to Bernardo Fallas of the HOUSTON CHRONICLE. MLSPU Exec Dir Bob Foose said about releasing the information, “First, we want to make sure that player compensation is reported accurately. Second, we want to combat the fact that secrecy with respect to player compensation serves only to drive player salaries down.” Dynamo G and player rep Pat Onstad added, “I think it allows everyone, including the media, to understand at what level we’re at and the discrepancies between some players and the majority of the league.” Foose indicated that while the decision to release the salary data was “not sparked by the designated-player rule, it is necessary in order to create a fairer market for players.” Foose: “This is especially true in a single entity system that exists to block the development of a true market for players’ services” (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 5/5).

Beckham To Become Highest-Paid MLS Player

HIGH END: In DC, Steven Goff wrote David Beckham, who was signed by the Galaxy under the designated-player rule, will be the highest-paid player in MLS by a “wide margin” with a base salary of $5.5M and guaranteed compensation of $6.5M. Red Bulls F Juan Pablo Angel and MF Claudio Reyna, and Fire F Cuauhtemoc Blanco, also signed under the designated-player rule, will each earn more than $1M this season. Meanwhile, Galaxy F Landon Donovan and Wizards F Eddie Johnson, neither of whom is considered a designated player this season, will earn $900,000 and $875,000, respectively. The average guaranteed salary in MLS is $115,432, but drops to $82,901 without the four designated players (WASHINGTON POST, 5/5).

DISPARITY: In L.A., Grahame Jones wrote, “Income disparity is a fact of life in MLS.” There are 57 players earning the league minimum of $12,900 and 36 players earning $17,700. Foose: “It’s the level of the low end that’s the big issue. ... A third of the league has to ask their parents for money to pay the rent.” Foose noted the $12,900 minimum salary is paid to the 25% of MLS players who are developmental players. Foose: “There’s no way you can live on a developmental salary. In L.A., D.C., New York? No way.” Foose added of Beckham, “He’s making what he’s suppose to be making. That deal is a market-based deal and that’s great. It hasn’t happened all that often in MLS” (L.A. TIMES, 5/7). Below presents a chart of each MLS team’s payroll for the ’07 season.

TEAM	07 PAYROLL
Galaxy	$9.179M
Red Bulls	$4.896M
Fire	$4.464M
Wizards	$2.625M
Real Salt Lake	$2.606M
Crew	$2.482M
Toronto FC	$2.453M
Dynamo	$2.292M
FC Dallas	$2.285M
Rapids	$2.166M
United	$2.273M
Revolution	$2.087M
Chivas USA	$1.885M