Alright, so I wanted to dig into something that’s been on my mind for a while now: MLS NEXT Pro salaries. I mean, I always hear these rumors and speculations, but I wanted to get to the bottom of it. So, I decided to do my own little investigation.
First things first, I started scouring the internet. I went through countless articles, forums, and official reports, trying to piece together a clear picture. One thing I quickly realized was that there’s no salary cap in MLS NEXT Pro. Yep, you heard that right. No minimum, no maximum. Players can basically earn as much or as little as the teams are willing to pay.
Then, I stumbled upon some interesting tidbits about MLS salaries for non-designated players. Apparently, they range from $36,500 to $387,500. And get this, the minimum for players under 25 is $36,500, but if you’re 25 or older, it jumps to $48,500. Pretty cool, right? It got me thinking about how that might relate to MLS NEXT Pro salaries.
Next, I started looking into specific players. I came across a name that kept popping up: Cavan Sullivan from Philadelphia Union II. He’s the youngest player ever to appear in an MLS match. I figured if anyone’s salary info was out there, it would be his. But, I couldn’t find anything solid. It seems he’s still fighting for those first-team opportunities, so maybe his salary isn’t widely discussed yet. I made a note to keep an eye on his progress though.
I also found this website that claimed to have detailed salary data for the 2024 MLS NEXT Pro season, covering all 29 teams. I was excited. This was exactly what I was looking for! I spent hours going through their stats, trying to find some patterns or averages. I must have read through hundreds of names and numbers. It was a lot to take in, but it was also pretty fascinating to see the variety of salaries.
Then, I decided to check out the MLS Players Association. They released their 2024 Salary Guide, which had info on all MLS players under contract as of April 25. I thought maybe there would be some clues in there, some way to connect the dots between MLS and MLS NEXT Pro salaries. I compared the numbers, looked for any overlaps, but it was hard to draw any definitive conclusions. It felt like comparing apples and oranges in some ways.
Here’s what I gathered after all this digging:
- No salary cap in MLS NEXT Pro.
- No limits on player compensation.
- MLS salaries (non-designated) range from $36,500 to $387,500.
- Minimum MLS salary depends on age ($36,500 for under 25, $48,500 for 25 and older).
So, yeah, I didn’t exactly crack the code on MLS NEXT Pro salaries. It’s still a bit of a mystery. But I definitely learned a lot along the way. It seems like it’s a real mixed bag, with salaries varying widely based on experience, potential, and the individual team’s budget. I guess it makes sense, but I still wish there was more transparency. Anyway, I’m going to keep digging and see what else I can find. Maybe one day, I’ll have a clearer picture. Until then, it’s just another one of those things that keeps me curious about the world of soccer.
