The Dodgers tried to take over the highest-payroll crown this year, but they couldn’t quite do it. The Yankees still hold that claim, which they’ve held for well over a decade.
Baseball: The world’s best sport
If you’re a player.
Alan Crowhurst
But how do those two stack up with teams around the world? Well, you’re not gonna believe this, but ...
Highest yearly salary obligations, 2013
1. New York Yankees ($229 million)
2. Los Angeles Dodgers ($217 million)
3. Manchester City ($201 million)
4. Real Madrid ($183 million)
5. Barcelona ($182 million)
6. AC Milan ($178 million)
7. Internazionale ($167 million)
8. Philadelphia Phillies ($165 million)
9. Chelsea ($156 million)
10. Bayern Munich ($155 million)
If you haven’t heard of one of those teams, it’s because they’re soccer teams. Soccer and baseball, soccer and baseball. An NFL team doesn’t show up until #17 (the Chiefs?!?), an NBA team doesn’t show up until #53 (Lakers), and an NHL team doesn’t show up until #82 (Flyers).
Ah, but different sports have different obligations for a reason. There are only 11 players on a basketball roster, 25 on a baseball roster, and 53 on an NFL roster. If you go by a per-player basis, the Dodgers stay at second, and the Yankees slip to fifth. I’m assuming that’s not taking dead money into account for the per-player amount. Maybe.
The important thing is that the last team in the rankings is Inverness Caledonian Thistle, which is just an awesome, awesome name for a team. That’s more of a skateboarding move or prog-rock band.
See More:
