The MLS Players Union have released the latest salary figures and former Real Madrid and AC Milan star Kaka heads the list, despite never having played for his club.
The 32-year-old Brazilian, who signed for Orlando City in June and was immediately loaned to Sao Paulo, is on a total salary of $7,167,500, making him not only the highest paid in the league, but the highest-paid player in MLS history.
Clint Dempsey is second on the list for 2014 salaries, with a total compensation of $6.7 million. The top five is rounded out by Michael Bradley ($6.5 million), Jermain Defoe ($6.2 million) and Landon Donovan ($4.6 million).
Two players not on the list of highest paid players are NYCFC’s two marque signings David Villa and Frank Lampard Villa is listed as earning just $60,000 a year which is misleading as the majority of his salary is currently being paid by A-League side Melbourne City, where he is currently on loan.
Similarly, Frank Lampard is not included on the list because he is not due to return from his loan at Manchester City until 2015.
What is clear is that the success off the pitch of MLS is being translated into more money for the players, at least at the top level of the game. In 2013 there were just seven players earning more than a million dollars annually. In 2014 that number has more than doubled, and that doesn’t even include the full salaries of Frank Lampard and David Villa who are likely to take the total number of million-dollar players to 17.
MLS TOP 10 EARNERS 2014
- Kaka $7.2 million
- Clint Dempsey $6.7 million
- Michael Bradley $6.5 million
- Jermain Defoe $6.2 million
- Landon Donovan $4.6 million.
- Robbie Keane $4.5 million
- Thierry Henry $4.4 million
- Tim Cahill $3.6 million
- Jermaine Jones $3.3 million
- Marco Di Vaio $2.6 million
