The Major League Soccer Players Union released salary information for each player in the league. Considered a second tier professional soccer league, the MLS has received substantial amounts of criticism and scrutiny in the media, particularly due to the quality of play. There is not a phrase more fitting than, “you get what you pay for.” In 2008 the MLS had several players earning the league minimum which was $12,900 base salary; barely enough for rent, some new cleats, and maybe some Hot Pockets. Fortunately, the growth of the MLS has allowed the league to increase the minimum salary to $20,100 for 2009.
Below are some of the largest and notable contracts held the MLS in 2009.
Club Player Position Annual Base Salary
LA Beckham David M $ 5, 500,000.08 CHI Blanco Cuauhtemoc M $ 2, 769,240.00 SEA Ljungberg Fredrik M $ 1, 300,000.00 LA Donovan Landon F $ 9 00,000.00 DC Emilio Luciano F $ 7 20,000.00 CLB Schelotto Guillermo Barros F $ 6 50,000.00 CHI McBride Brian F $ 3 60,000.00 TFC DeRosario Dwayne M $ 3 00,000.00 HOU Clark Ricardo M $ 2 48,050.00 COL Mastroeni Pablo M $ 2 55,000.00 SJ Convey Bobby M $ 2 22,000.00 CHV Kljestan Sacha M $ 1 70,000.00 RSL Mathis Clint M $ 1 15,000.00 CHV Bornstein Jonathan D $ 9 0,000.00The NBA and NFL also disclose the minimum salary that can be offered, which varies depending on the amount of years the athlete has served in the league. That being said, a rookie making minimum salary on an NFL roster earns $310,000 dollars. The NBA league minimum for a rookie is $475,588 dollars. I pose several questions: Is becoming a soccer agent a wise decision? Is the MLS underpaying its players? Do the players in the NBA and NFL get overpaid? Let me know what you think.
5 Comments
Yes the players make little $$, but the league is only 16 years old. Teams are starting to build Soccer Specific Stadiums, the sport continues to grow every year.
Remember about 5 years ago when making fun of the sport was commonplace on TV, Radio, anywhere. Now those comments are few and far between, and if they are made no one dignifies them with a response.
Of course I wish the players earned more $$, but as you said, the minimum salary has went up, and will continue to go up as the league grows.
Soccer is the sport to be in, there is plenty of room for businesses to represent clients, do PR, marketing, etc.
I agree, I feel that the sport has grown tremendously..however, soccer is similar to baseball in one aspect that being, real fans really have to have some knowledge of the sport and an understanding of the history and culture of the game. This could be the cause a a slow growth rate at the beginning. Baseball fans generally know their facts, and soccer fans are the same.. nonetheless, there is growth and this World Cup could be a huge catalyst. Do you believe that the growth of MLS can ever catch NBA or NFL in the USA? If so how long?
But, why do real fans have to know the history of the game in order to enjoy it? I think that fans can come into the sport, then as they read more and more they pick up on that history and get more drawn into the game.
The game really is a simple one in terms of the rules. Try teaching Football to 4 Spaniards at a Buffalo Bills game, now that was a feat.
I don't think the MLS will ever grow that big simply because the big players will get swooped up by European Clubs as that is where the $$ is, let alone the best talent. But, it is not as if this will impact the league as much as they think it will.
I recently returned from the US and Canada and had the opportunity to watch an MLS game in LA and a USL1 game in Montreal. I can tell you the sport is very much on the up. In Montreal I barely got a seat on a Saturday afternoon in the 14,000 seat stadium, look for them to make the step up next. With the success of the national team I can only see this sport growing in North America.
That is awesome Chris. my brother has been to several USA games in Chicago. I have only been able to see the Chi. Fire play live. I love how much it has grown here…
Ryan in regards to your post, "But, why do real fans have to know the history of the game in order to enjoy it?" I suppose that just reading about it is good.. however, i essentially meant that becoming a soccer fan is not an immediate process. Football and Basketball can draw a crowd with little attention span much easier, especially on TV. ..Not to mention we take it for granted that those sports (and baseball!) are part of our culture and Soccer has grown tremendously, but it has take 15 years. Hope that helped clear anything up. Thanks.