Messi Tops MLS Player Salaries ($20M), Inter Miami Leads All Clubs ($41M)
Thursday, October 24, 2024 at 05:40PM By Barry Janoff
October 24, 2024: According to Major League Soccer, the just-concluded 2024 campaign was a “record-setiing season” in attendance, merchandise, marketing and sponsorship.
It was a financially rewarding season for many of its players, as well.
The average MLS salary rose 9.7% vs. 2023, led by Lionel Messi among all players and topped by his Inter Miami CF among the league’s 29 clubs, according to data released today by the MLS Players Assn.
Payrolls for MLS rosters were based on 899 players under contract to current teams as of Sept. 13, as compiled by MLSPA.
It includes 2024 salaries and prorated shares of signing bonuses and other guaranteed income not attributable to a specific year:
Messi has an annual guaranteed compensation of $20.4 million based on salary alone.
Miami co-owner Jorge Mas said that Messi's total compensation, which includes a cut from the league's Apple TV deal, was in the $50-$60 million range, according to ESPN.
He earns another $70 million annually for such endorsements as adidas, Anheuser-Busch (Budweiser), MasterCard, PepsiCo and Saudi Arabia Tourism, according to Forbes.
Messi's total compensation was more than the entire payrolls of 22 other MLS teams.
Olivier Giroud is second among players with $3,675,000 in annualized total compensation via a contract he signed with Los Angeles FC this past July.
Inter Miami’s salary spend was $41,708,280, $10 million more than No. 2 Toronto FC and almost or more than double the amount spent by 27 of the league's 29 teams.
The club has seen rewards for its investment in Messi, who is under contract through the end of 2025.
Messi’s first MLS game was on July 21, 2023.
Since then, the club has signed deals including a multi-year, multi-level pact with JPMorgan Chase to include naming rights to the team’s 21,500-seat venue, located in Fort Lauderdale, now known as Chase Stadium; Discount Tire, Royal Caribbean International, Visa, Lowe’s, Duracell, Trapiche Wintery, Ketel One Vodka and National Beverage Corp. LaCroix sparkling water.
MLS has also been rewarded.
MLS said during the '24 regular season, more people in the U.S. and Canada attended MLS matches than ever in the league's 30-year history, continued to engage with the league and its clubs on social media at record highs, and purchased MLS merchandise in record numbers, "helping the league establish new milestones for retail sales."
In addition, new corporate sponsors and revenue “continue to grow at record levels.”
Throughout the properties of MLS and Soccer United Marketing — the league's commercial arm — 18 new partners signed on as sponsors this past season.
MLS said that translates to a 13% Increase in MLS and SUM sponsorship revenue year-to-date compared to 2023; and a.13% rise in club sponsorship revenue year-to-date from 2023.
On a broader scale, MLS salaries still pale compared to other pro leagues in the U.S.
NBA team salaries for the 2024-25 season are topped by the Phoenix Suns ($226,240,856), with the Detroit Pistons the lowest ($129,235,998), according to industry analysts.
The average total team payroll across MLB in 2024 was $167,530,470. The New York Mets have the highest payroll at $317,778,899.
The Oakland A’s had the lowest at $63,407,581, which is still $20,000,000 more than Inter Miami.
MLS Team Payrolls
Miami $41,708,280
Toronto $31,808,632
Los Angeles FC $22,085,924
LA Galaxy $21,962,879
Nashville $21,864,490
Cincinnati $20,950,009
Houston $20,515,359
New England $18,883,233
New York Red Bulls $18,083,549
Austin $17,595,884
Orlando $17,493,932
Vancouver $17,414,357
Chicago $17,224,012
Seattle $16,680,315
Columbus $16,586,339
D.C. $16,490,439
Kansas City $16,313,140
New York City $16,243,559
Salt Lake $16,066,481
St. Louis $15,484,335
Charlotte $15,474,045
Portland $15,407,617
Atlanta $15,230,938
Minnesota $14,768,315
San Jose $14,634,037
Colorado $14,435,426
Dallas $13,916,277
Philadelphia $13,813,718
Montreal $11,438,409
Source: MLSPA
Player Salaries
Lionel Messi Inter Miami annual guaranteed compensation of $20.4 million
Olivier Giroud Los Angeles $3,675,000 in annualized total compensation
Houston forward Ezequiel Ponce ($2.56 million salary, $2,822,200 total compensation)
St. Louis midfielder Marcel Hartel ($1,797,600, $2,183,113)
Atlanta midfielder Alexey Miranchuk ($2.4 million, $3,685,441)
Salt Lake midfielder Diogo Gonçalves ($1.65 million, $1,797,108)
Minnesota forward Kelvin Yeboah ($1,225,000)
New York Red Bulls midfielder Felipe Carballo ($1.02 million, $1,169,777)
Cincinnati defender Chidozie Awaziem ($1.08 million, $1,205,675)
Austin winger Osman Bukari ($1 million)
LA Galaxy midfielder Marco Reus ($960,000, $1,216,667).
Source: MLSPA
MLS: ’24 ‘Record-Breaking Season’ In Attendance, Merch, Marketing, Sponsorship
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