Major League Soccer is growing in popularity in North America and attendance figures show the sport does very well at the local level.
However, the league still lacks star power and player salaries are not even close to being on the same level as other major sports on this side of the Atlantic Ocean.
Despite importing aging international stars (e.g. David Beckham and Thierry Henry) and American stars still in their primes (e.g. Michael Bradley and Clint Dempsey), the average MLS player makes just $208,000.
There are only 12 players who will make at least $1.0 million in total compensation this year and the total payroll for the entire league ($115.3 million) is less than half that of the Los Angeles Dodgers roster ($235.3 million).
On the next few pages we'll take a look at the 10 highest-paid players in MLS and how their salaries compare to other sports.
No. 10 Pedro Morales — $1.4 Million
Club: Vancouver Whitecaps
Position: Midfielder
10th highest-paid in other sports
NFL: Ndamukong Suh (Lions), $12.6 million
MLB: Albert Pujols (Angels), $23.0 million
NBA: Dwyane Wade (Heat), $18.7 million
NHL: Rick Nash (Rangers), $7.8 million
No. 9 Obafemi Martins — $1.8 Million
Club: Seattle Sounders
Position: Forward
9th highest-paid in other sports
NFL: Gerald McCoy (Bucs), $12.7 million
MLB: Joe Mauer (Twins), $23.0 million
NBA: Chris Bosh (Heat), $19.1 million
NHL: Marian Hossa (Blackhawks), $7.9 million
No. 8 Marco Di Vaio — $2.6 Million
Club: Montreal Impact
Position: Forward
8th highest-paid in other sports
NFL: Greg Hardy (Panthers), $13.1 million
MLB: CC Sabathia (Yankees), $23.0 million
NBA: LeBron James (Heat), $19.1 million
NHL: Steven Stamkos (Lightning), $8.0 million
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