Major League Soccer recently released its 2022 Salary Guide, which contains salary information for all MLS players under contract as of April 15, 2022. The salaries are broken down into two numbers: (1) annualized base salary and (2) annualized average guaranteed compensation (all signing and guaranteed bonuses annualized over the term of the player’s contract, including option years). Couple observations about the numbers:
The low base salary is $65,500, and the low guaranteed compensation is $76,333.
The high base salary is $7,350,000 and the high guaranteed compensation is $8,153,000 – both for Xherdan Shaqiri of the Chicago Fire. Javier “Chicarito” Hernandez follows close behind with $6,000,000 base salary and $6,000,000 guaranteed compensation.
New England Revolution and Atlanta United each have 2 of the highest paid players in MLS: Carles Gil and Jozy Altidore of NE Revolution, and Luiz Araujo and Josef Martinez of Atlanta United.
Midfielders and forwards occupy the top 19 slots for top player salaries. Carlos Salcedo from Toronto FC is the highest paid defender.
For a complete copy of the salary guide, click here. To contact us about our sports law practice, call (708) 576-1624 or email [email protected].