Average MLB player salary tops $4 million/year, plus $100 daily meal allowance

[Auggie]

USA TODAY

According to an Associated Press study, the average MLB salary will break the $4 million mark for the first time in 2015, continuing a trend that has seen payrolls skyrocket due in part to increasing revenues from broadcasting deals. The average player will make an estimated $4.25 million this season, up from $3.65 million just two years ago.

And the perks of playing big-league baseball don’t end there. Major Leaguers will also get $100.50 a day in meal money while on the road in 2015.

http://ftw.usatoday.com/2015/04/major-league-baseball-average-salary-meal-money-2015-mlb

This is pretty interesting (from the link): Hall of Famer Rickey Henderson famously cooked for himself on the road, stashing his meal money to reward his kids for good report cards.

[Auggie]

1. More: 10 years ago the average salary was $2,632,655 ...

From the A.P., as reported by CBS Sports:

Year / Average / % increase

2012 $3,440,000 4.1
2011 $3,305,393 0.2
2010 $3,297,828 1.8
2009 $3,240,206 2.7
2008 $3,154,845 7.1
2007 $2,944,556 2.7
2006 $2,866,544 8.9
2005 $2,632,655 5.9
2004 $2,486,609 (-2.7)
2003 $2,555,476 7.2
2002 $2,383,235 5.2
2001 $2,264,403 13.9
2000 $1,998,034 15.6
1999 $1,720,050 19.3
1998 $1,441,406 4.2
1997 $1,383,578 17.6
1996 $1,176,967 9.9
1995-x $1,071,029 (-9.9)
1994 $1,188,679 6.1
1993 $1,120,254 3.3
1992 $1,084,408 21.7
1991 $891,188 53.9
1990 $578,930 12.9

The average baseball salary on opening day, based on salary studies by the the Associated Press, and the percentage increase or decrease. Figures were obtained by the AP from management and player sources and include salaries and pro-rated shares of signing bonuses. In some cases, parts of salaries that are deferred are discounted to reflect present-day values (x-adjusted for 25-man rosters from $1,073,579 figure for 28-man post-strike rosters).

http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/salaries/avgsalaries

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

2. Nice work if you can get it

[Angleae]

3. With a minumum salary of over $500,000/year.

[TBF]

4. What is the net worth of the owners

of each MLB team? We should compare & contrast.

[Auggie]

5. Good question. Here you go:

From CNBC (three years ago), the top ten richest owners, majority owners, or partners in MLB:

1. Charles Bartlett Johnson, Estimated net worth: $4.9 billion (Giants)
2. Theodore Lerner, Estimated net worth: $2.9 billion (Nationals)
3. Mike Ilitch, Estimated net worth: $2.4 billion (Tigers)
4. Hiroshi Yamauchi, Estimated net worth: $2.1 billion (Mariners)
5. Ray Davis, Estimated net worth: $1.6 billion (Rangers)
6. Arturo Moreno, Estimated net worth: $1.5 billion (Angels)
7. Mark Walter, Estimated net worth: $1.3 billion (Dodgers)
8. John W. Henry II, Estimated net worth: $1.15 billion (Red Sox)
9. Jim Pohlad, Estimated net worth: $1.1 billion (Twins)
10. Robert Nutting (Nutting Family), Estimated net worth: $1.1 billion (Pirates)

http://www.cnbc.com/id/46941774

I don't know why the Athletic's John Fisher isn't listed. He's heir to the Gap clothing fortune and worth an estimated $2.8 billion. That would put him #3 on the list, yet the A's are #25 in team 2014 payroll.


2014 Opening Day Payrolls (estimated)

1. LA Dodgers, $235,295,219

2. NY Yankees, $203,812,506

3. Philadelphia Phillies, $180,052,723

4. Boston Red Sox, $162,817,411

5. Detroit Tigers, $162,228,527

6. LA Angels, $155,692,000

7. San Francisco Giants, $154,185,878

8. Texas Rangers, $136,036,172

9. Washington Nationals, $134,704,437

10. Toronto Blue Jays, $132,628,700

11. Arizona Diamondbacks, $112,688,666

12. Cincinnati Reds, $112,390,772

13. St. Louis Cardinals, $111,020,360

14. Atlanta Braves, $110,897,341

15. Baltimore Orioles, $107,406,623

16. Milwaukee Brewers, $103,844,806

17. Colorado Rockies, $95,832,071

18. Seattle Mariners, $92,081,943

19. Kansas City Royals, $92,034,345

20. Chicago White Sox, $91,159,254

21. San Diego Padres, $90,094,196

22. NY Mets, $89,051,758

23. Chicago Cubs, $89,007,857

24. Minnesota Twins, $85,776,500

25. Oakland A's, $83,401,400

26. Cleveland Indians, $82,534,800

27. Pittsburgh Pirates, $78,111,667

28. Tampa Bay Rays, $77,062,891

29. Miami Marlins, $47,565,400

30. Houston Astros, $44,544,174

http://deadspin.com/2014-payrolls-and-salaries-for-every-mlb-team-1551868969

Further reading:

From Forbes: http://www.forbes.com/pictures/eddf45eddmf/the-wealthiest-on-the-diamond/
Full list of owners from wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Major_League_Baseball_principal_owners
How they got their wealth: http://mentalfloss.com/article/55673/how-owners-all-30-mlb-teams-made-their-money
Forbes' list of most valuable franchises: http://www.forbes.com/mlb-valuations/list/

[Yavin4]

6. MLB provides a ton of content for cable tv, radio, broadcast, the internet, etc.

In a fractured media world, content is king.