MLB Postseason Player Compensation Down Slightly From '07

By Eric Fisher, Staff Writer, SportsBusiness Journal

MLB Distributes $51.16M In Postseason Player Compensation

MLB distributed $51.16M in postseason player compensation this year, down 2.5% from last year and down 8% from '06, but still the third-best total in league history. The money, generated from 60% of the gate receipts of the first three games of each Division Series and first four games of each League Championship Series and the World Series, is largely a function of the stadium capacities of the participating playoff teams. And this year, smaller seating areas in both Tropicana Field and Fenway Park -- each less than 41,000 in capacity -- limited the earning potential of the compensation pool. Postseason ticket prices, peaking at $250 for non-premium seats, were also held generally steady this year after a sizable increase in '06. The World Series champion Phillies split their $18.4M share of the pool into 45 full shares of $351,504.48 each, 7.039 partial shares, and 15 cash awards. That full-share value is second highest in league history behind the '06 Cardinals’ full share award of $362,173.07.