Kaká still MLS's highest paid after Gerrard, Lampard, Dos Santos arrivals
Kaká remains the highest-paid player in MLS according to salary figures released by the MLS Players Union on Friday.
The Orlando City star's 2015 guaranteed compensation figure of $7,167,500 edges that of Toronto FC's Sebastian Giovinco ($7,115,555.67). Guaranteed compensation takes into account base salary and signing and guaranteed bonuses annualized over the term of the player's contract (including option years). Marketing bonuses, performance bonuses and other individual agreements between players and clubs are separate and not listed. For summer arrivals, their deals are pro-rated.
High-profile arrivals Frank Lampard, Andrea Pirlo, Steven Gerrard and Giovani Dos Santos have their MLS salaries public after Friday's release. SI.com's Brian Straus reported in May that Lampard was on a $6 million per year deal through 2016, and the Players Union's documents verify that information. His incoming teammate, Pirlo, is on a $2.32 million deal.
Gerrard, who could make his MLS debut this weekend, is on $6.33 million in guaranteed compensation, while dos Santos, who will join Gerrard and the Galaxy after the conclusion of the CONCACAF Gold Cup, is on a $4.1 million deal.
Among Americans, Michael Bradley is the highest paid ($6.5 million) followed by Toronto FC teammate Jozy Altidore ($4.75 million), Clint Dempsey ($4.6 million) and Jermaine Jones ($3 million).
In all, there are 21 players on the books making in the millions. Listed by team (all numbers guaranteed compensation):
CHICAGO FIRE: Shaun Maloney ($1,586,000)
COLUMBUS CREW: Federico Higuain ($1,175,000)
COLORADO RAPIDS: Kevin Doyle ($1,170,000)
LA GALAXY: Steven Gerrard ($6,332,504); Robbie Keane ($4,500,000); Giovani Dos Santos ($4,100,008); Omar Gonzalez ($1,450,000)
NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION: Jermaine Jones ($3,052,500)
NEW YORK CITY FC: Frank Lampard ($6,000,000); David Villa ($5,610,000); Andrea Pirlo ($2,315,694)
ORLANDO CITY SC: Kaká ($7,167,500)
PORTLAND TIMBERS: Liam Ridgewell ($1,000,000)
SEATTLE SOUNDERS: Clint Dempsey ($4,605,941.50); Obafemi Martins ($3,000,000)
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES: Innocent Emeghara ($1,040,000)
TORONTO FC: Sebastian Giovinco ($7,115,555.67); Michael Bradley ($6,500,000); Jozy Altidore ($4,750,000); Gilberto ($1,205,000 - On loan)
VANCOUVER WHITECAPS: Pedro Morales ($1,410,900)
