Error message

  • Deprecated function: Return type of Aws\HandlerList::count() should either be compatible with Countable::count(): int, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in include() (line 32 of /var/www/html/vendor/aws/aws-sdk-php/src/HandlerList.php).
  • Deprecated function: Return type of Aws\Api\AbstractModel::offsetExists($offset) should either be compatible with ArrayAccess::offsetExists(mixed $offset): bool, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in include() (line 7 of /var/www/html/vendor/aws/aws-sdk-php/src/Api/AbstractModel.php).
  • Deprecated function: Return type of Aws\Api\AbstractModel::offsetGet($offset) should either be compatible with ArrayAccess::offsetGet(mixed $offset): mixed, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in include() (line 7 of /var/www/html/vendor/aws/aws-sdk-php/src/Api/AbstractModel.php).
  • Deprecated function: Return type of Aws\Api\AbstractModel::offsetSet($offset, $value) should either be compatible with ArrayAccess::offsetSet(mixed $offset, mixed $value): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in include() (line 7 of /var/www/html/vendor/aws/aws-sdk-php/src/Api/AbstractModel.php).
  • Deprecated function: Return type of Aws\Api\AbstractModel::offsetUnset($offset) should either be compatible with ArrayAccess::offsetUnset(mixed $offset): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in include() (line 7 of /var/www/html/vendor/aws/aws-sdk-php/src/Api/AbstractModel.php).
  • Deprecated function: Return type of Aws\Endpoint\Partition::offsetExists($offset) should either be compatible with ArrayAccess::offsetExists(mixed $offset): bool, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in include() (line 13 of /var/www/html/vendor/aws/aws-sdk-php/src/Endpoint/Partition.php).
  • Deprecated function: Return type of & Aws\Endpoint\Partition::offsetGet($offset) should either be compatible with ArrayAccess::offsetGet(mixed $offset): mixed, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in include() (line 13 of /var/www/html/vendor/aws/aws-sdk-php/src/Endpoint/Partition.php).
  • Deprecated function: Return type of Aws\Endpoint\Partition::offsetSet($offset, $value) should either be compatible with ArrayAccess::offsetSet(mixed $offset, mixed $value): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in include() (line 13 of /var/www/html/vendor/aws/aws-sdk-php/src/Endpoint/Partition.php).
  • Deprecated function: Return type of Aws\Endpoint\Partition::offsetUnset($offset) should either be compatible with ArrayAccess::offsetUnset(mixed $offset): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in include() (line 13 of /var/www/html/vendor/aws/aws-sdk-php/src/Endpoint/Partition.php).
  • Deprecated function: Aws\Credentials\Credentials implements the Serializable interface, which is deprecated. Implement __serialize() and __unserialize() instead (or in addition, if support for old PHP versions is necessary) in include() (line 8 of /var/www/html/vendor/aws/aws-sdk-php/src/Credentials/Credentials.php).
  • Deprecated function: Return type of Aws\Command::offsetExists($offset) should either be compatible with ArrayAccess::offsetExists(mixed $offset): bool, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in include() (line 7 of /var/www/html/vendor/aws/aws-sdk-php/src/Command.php).
  • Deprecated function: Return type of & Aws\Command::offsetGet($offset) should either be compatible with ArrayAccess::offsetGet(mixed $offset): mixed, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in include() (line 7 of /var/www/html/vendor/aws/aws-sdk-php/src/Command.php).
  • Deprecated function: Return type of Aws\Command::offsetSet($offset, $value) should either be compatible with ArrayAccess::offsetSet(mixed $offset, mixed $value): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in include() (line 7 of /var/www/html/vendor/aws/aws-sdk-php/src/Command.php).
  • Deprecated function: Return type of Aws\Command::offsetUnset($offset) should either be compatible with ArrayAccess::offsetUnset(mixed $offset): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in include() (line 7 of /var/www/html/vendor/aws/aws-sdk-php/src/Command.php).
  • Deprecated function: Return type of Aws\Command::count() should either be compatible with Countable::count(): int, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in include() (line 7 of /var/www/html/vendor/aws/aws-sdk-php/src/Command.php).
  • Deprecated function: Return type of Aws\Command::getIterator() should either be compatible with IteratorAggregate::getIterator(): Traversable, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in include() (line 7 of /var/www/html/vendor/aws/aws-sdk-php/src/Command.php).
  • Deprecated function: Return type of Aws\Result::offsetExists($offset) should either be compatible with ArrayAccess::offsetExists(mixed $offset): bool, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in include() (line 9 of /var/www/html/vendor/aws/aws-sdk-php/src/Result.php).
  • Deprecated function: Return type of & Aws\Result::offsetGet($offset) should either be compatible with ArrayAccess::offsetGet(mixed $offset): mixed, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in include() (line 9 of /var/www/html/vendor/aws/aws-sdk-php/src/Result.php).
  • Deprecated function: Return type of Aws\Result::offsetSet($offset, $value) should either be compatible with ArrayAccess::offsetSet(mixed $offset, mixed $value): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in include() (line 9 of /var/www/html/vendor/aws/aws-sdk-php/src/Result.php).
  • Deprecated function: Return type of Aws\Result::offsetUnset($offset) should either be compatible with ArrayAccess::offsetUnset(mixed $offset): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in include() (line 9 of /var/www/html/vendor/aws/aws-sdk-php/src/Result.php).
  • Deprecated function: Return type of Aws\Result::getIterator() should either be compatible with IteratorAggregate::getIterator(): Traversable, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in include() (line 9 of /var/www/html/vendor/aws/aws-sdk-php/src/Result.php).
  • Deprecated function: Return type of Aws\Result::count() should either be compatible with Countable::count(): int, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in include() (line 9 of /var/www/html/vendor/aws/aws-sdk-php/src/Result.php).
  • Warning: Undefined array key "nid" in views_handler_field_term_node_tid->pre_render() (line 98 of /var/www/html/docroot/sites/all/modules/views/modules/taxonomy/views_handler_field_term_node_tid.inc).
  • Warning: Undefined array key "nid" in views_handler_field_term_node_tid->pre_render() (line 98 of /var/www/html/docroot/sites/all/modules/views/modules/taxonomy/views_handler_field_term_node_tid.inc).
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The Disparity In MLS Salaries Turns Club Rosters Into A Gimmick

MLS team valuations have soared in recent years, with the average now at $185 million according to Forbes, but the league is still a long way from fielding a product that competes with the upper-tier of European leagues. In addition to the obvious gap in player salaries, its failure to adhere to international breaks and disproportionate spending on star players are two major drawbacks. 

With the signing of Bastian Schweinsteiger, the Chicago Fire joined top MLS spenders in signing aging European talent. Although an injection of talent and star power undoubtedly improves the quality of teams and the league’s marketability, the result is often an imbalanced roster that feels like a gimmick. 

For comparison, here is a look at what the top five spenders in the MLS and the English Premier League commit to their three highest earners as a percentage of their payrolls.

MLS

Team

Top 3 Contracts % of Payroll

Toronto FC

 87%

NYCFC

 83%

LA Galaxy

 78%

Seattle Sounders

 64%

Orlando City SC

 73%

EPL

Team

Top 3 Contracts % of Payroll

Man United

 34%

Man City

 26%

Chelsea

 33%

Arsenal

 23%

Liverpool

 28%

MLS teams clearly spend a greater percentage of their payrolls on stars, which might make a certain amount of sense for promoting their brand, but does not necessarily optimize quality on the pitch. The Premier League features far greater balance in pay up and down their rosters.

 

In addition, spending among these MLS teams by position contrasts with their EPL counterparts. The following charts depict the percentage of a team’s total payroll devoted to each positional group. For simplicity, goalkeepers were excluded. Also, since teams generally have more midfielders and defenders than forwards, the percentages reflect an average salary for each position group, not the overall figures.

Orlando City's Kaka

Kaka is the highest earner in MLS. Photo: @NaBocaDoGol_com | Twitter


Combined Spending of TOR, NYCFC, LA, ORL, SEA, and COL

Position

Percentage spent

Avg. F / (Avg. F+M+D)

 53%

Avg. M / (Avg. F+M+D)

 40%

Avg. D / (Avg. F+M+D)

 7%

Combined Spending of Man United, Man City, Chelsea, Arsenal, and Liverpool

Position

Percentage spent

Avg. F / (Avg. F+M+D)

 38%

Avg. M / (Avg. F+M+D)

 37%

Avg. D / (Avg. F+M+D)

 25%

Again, the EPL appears to be balanced, with the average contracts awarded to forwards and midfielders slightly outweighing the average contract for a defender. The MLS, however, lags far behind with its spending on defenders.

The aforementioned trend of MLS teams signing a few stars helps explain this result. When removing a team’s three most expensive contracts, the EPL chart sees a modest uptick in defender spending as a percentage of its overall contracts. The MLS spending proportions change dramatically. 

Wayne Rooney

Wayne Rooney, another player rumored to be heading for MLS. Photo: @TransferCenLive | Twitter


Combined Spending of TOR, NYCFC, LA, ORL, SEA, and COL without top 3 contracts

Position

Percentage spent

Avg. F / (Avg. F+M+D)

 28%

Avg. M / (Avg. F+M+D)

 36%

Avg. D / (Avg. F+M+D)

 36%

Combined Spending of Man United, Man City, Chelsea, Arsenal, and Liverpool without top 3 contracts

Position

Percentage spent

Avg. F / (Avg. F+M+D)

 31%

Avg. M / (Avg. F+M+D)

 38%

Avg. D / (Avg. F+M+D)

 31%

With the top three contracts excluded, both leagues exhibit similar spending patterns. This likely reflects a shared philosophy in team building, which emphasizes a balanced roster. When the top contracts are introduced, the results diverge. The big spenders in MLS have made it clear that they want to sign midfielders and especially forwards.

 

Only four of the top 50 contracts in MLS were given to defenders last year. None of the contracts excluded in the above MLS chart were those of defenders. 

FC Dallas

FC Dallas defenders Matt Hedges and Walker Zimmerman. Photo: @jasonhpoon | Twitter

The MLS has gained popularity and filled seats from signing stars who score goals and create chances. Like a stud offensive tackle in the NFL, soccer defenders generally don’t land the largest shoe contracts and sell the most jerseys, but they make a huge impact on the field.

If MLS wants to be taken seriously, it eventually will have to pay for top defenders or simply achieve greater positional balance in its roster construction. The EPL spending patterns make that clear. 

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