LAFC Player Salaries: A Detailed Overview
The Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC), founded in 2014, has quickly become one of the most successful Major League Soccer (MLS) teams. As the team continues to grow and attract top talent, many fans and followers wonder about their player salaries. In this article, we’ll provide a detailed overview of LAFC player salaries and how they compare to other MLS teams.
According to the latest MLS Players Association Salary Guide, LAFC has the sixth-highest player payroll in the league, at $13,372,833. This includes both guaranteed and non-guaranteed compensation, such as signing bonuses and performance incentives.
The highest-paid players on the team are Carlos Vela, Diego Rossi, and Brian Rodriguez. Vela, the reigning MLS MVP, earns a guaranteed salary of $6.3 million, making him the highest-paid player in the league. Rossi, the 2020 MLS Golden Boot winner, earns a guaranteed salary of $3.5 million, while Rodriguez earns $2 million.
It’s important to note that MLS teams operate under a salary cap, which limits the amount of money they can spend on player salaries and bonuses. For the 2021 season, the salary cap is set at $4.9 million per team, with a maximum of three Designated Player slots, which allow teams to pay players above the salary cap. LAFC currently has three Designated Players: Vela, Rossi, and Rodriguez.
Compared to other top MLS teams, such as Atlanta United and Toronto FC, LAFC’s player salaries are on par with the league average. However, the team has invested heavily in younger talent, such as Eduardo Atuesta and Tristan Blackmon, whose salaries are significantly lower than the team’s stars.
In conclusion, LAFC’s player salaries reflect the team’s commitment to building a competitive and successful franchise. While the team’s top players command high salaries, they operate within the constraints of the MLS salary cap. As the team continues to grow and attract top talent, we can expect to see changes in their player salary structure.