The Highest Paid Player on Every NFL, MLB and NBA Team

There’s no doubt that professional athletes are among the highest-paid workers in America. Yet, there’s a surprising variance in the pay that individual athletes earn. Obviously, the top-paid athletes on each pro sports team earn vastly more than the team’s rookies. However, it might come as a surprise that the top-paid player on one team might earn three times or more as much as the top-paid player on a team in the same league.

Take Major League Baseball as an example. No one would deny Mike Trout the top contract in baseball, as the Los Angeles Angels center fielder is among the best in the game and a perennial MVP candidate. However, his salary of over $37.6 million is more than four times that of Jonathan Villar, the top-paid player of the Miami Marlins. Of course, no one would confuse Trout with Villar, and Los Angeles is one of the largest sports markets in the world, while Miami has the lowest attendance of any team in baseball. Still, the disparity in salaries for these two players is enormous.

GOBankingRates searched for the highest-paid player on every MLB, NBA and NFL team using salary data from Spotrac. For this study, GOBankingRates used data from the upcoming 2020 NFL season and the current-but-delayed NBA and MLB seasons. Base salary data was also collected for reference. Teams were then divided by league and ranked in reverse order, based on the salary of each team’s highest-paid player, with the smallest salary listed first. 

Of course, all of this is subject to change thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic. The MLB and NBA seasons have already been greatly impacted by the spread of the virus. As of late May, there was talk of the MLB season resuming July 4 and the NBA season resuming sometime in late July, but a host of moving parts will have to fall into place for that to occur. The NFL season was not scheduled to begin until Sept. 10, 2020, so it has more runway to find a solution.

In the meantime, however, player salaries may take a hit. In March 2020, for example, MLB players agreed to prorate their salaries based on the games they might play. However, in May 2020, the league proposed reducing player salaries even further, in some cases by more than 75%.

Whatever ends up happening, it’s clear that some pro athletes are going to suffer massive pay cuts due to the impact of the coronavirus. Adding to the general air of disappointment surrounding the seasons is that some players may end up missing their final — or only — year of playing with their team.

Last updated: June 2, 2020

NBA

Originally, the 2019-20 NBA season was slated to finish the same day that taxes were due in 2020: April 15. However, the world-changing power of the coronavirus pandemic has not only pushed back that official tax filing date but has also suspended the conclusion of the 2019-20 NBA season. The latest rumors have players concluding the season in late July, at Disney’s ESPN Wide World of Sports in Orlando, Florida. 

However the season ends up sorting out, it’s going to cost the players. As of May 15, the NBA has already been withholding 25% of player salaries. That translates to a pretty penny for Steph Curry, whose salary of over $40 million is tops among any player in the NBA, NFL or MLB. Here’s a look at the top earner for each NBA team and what they were slated to earn before the coronavirus struck.

Memphis Grizzlies

• Player: Gorgui Dieng
• Position: Center
• 2020 cap hits (current season): $16,229,213
• 2020 base salary (current season): $16,229,213

New York Knicks

• Player: Julius Randle
• Position: Power forward
• 2020 cap hits (current season): $18,000,000
• 2020 base salary (current season): $18,000,000

Atlanta Hawks

• Player: Jeff Teague
• Position: Point guard
• 2020 cap hits (current season): $19,000,000
• 2020 base salary (current season): $19,000,000

Indiana Pacers

• Player: Victor Oladipo
• Position: Shooting guard
• 2020 cap hits (current season): $21,000,000
• 2020 base salary (current season): $21,000,000

Sacramento Kings

• Player: Harrison Barnes
• Position: Small forward
• 2020 cap hits (current season): $24,147,727
• 2020 base salary (current season): $24,147,727

Charlotte Hornets

• Player: Nicolas Batum
• Position: Shooting guard
• 2020 cap hits (current season): $25,565,217
• 2020 base salary (current season): $25,565,217

New Orleans Pelicans

• Player: Jrue Holiday
• Position: Point guard
• 2020 cap hits (current season): $26,996,111
• 2020 base salary (current season): $26,131,111

Chicago Bulls

• Player: Otto Porter Jr.
• Position: Small forward
• 2020 cap hits (current season): $27,250,575
• 2020 base salary (current season): $27,250,575

Read More: What a Canceled Season Costs the NBA, MLB, NHL and Other Leagues

Dallas Mavericks

• Player: Kristaps Porzingis
• Position: Power forward
• 2020 cap hits (current season): $27,285,000
• 2020 base salary (current season): $27,285,000

Minnesota Timberwolves

• Player: D’Angelo Russell and Karl-Anthony Towns
• Positions: Point guard; center
• 2020 cap hits (current season): $27,285,000
• 2020 base salary (current season): $27,285,000

Phoenix Suns

• Player: Devin Booker
• Position: Shooting guard
• 2020 cap hits (current season): $27,285,000
• 2020 base salary (current season): $27,285,000

San Antonio Spurs

• Player: DeMar DeRozan
• Position: Shooting guard
• 2020 cap hits (current season): $27,739,975
• 2020 base salary (current season): $27,739,975

Orlando Magic

• Player: Nikola Vucevic
• Position: Center
• 2020 cap hits (current season): $28,000,000
• 2020 base salary (current season): $28,000,000

Cleveland Cavaliers

• Player: Kevin Love
• Position: Center
• 2020 cap hits (current season): $28,942,830
• 2020 base salary (current season): $28,942,830

Portland Trail Blazers

• Player: Damian Lillard
• Position: Point guard
• 2020 cap hits (current season): $29,802,321
• 2020 base salary (current season): $29,802,321

See: How Much Athletes Make for Playoff Runs in the NBA, NFL and Other Sports

Denver Nuggets

• Player: Paul Millsap
• Position: Power forward
• 2020 cap hits (current season): $30,350,000
• 2020 base salary (current season): $30,000,000

Milwaukee Bucks

• Player: Khris Middleton
• Position: Small forward
• 2020 cap hits (current season): $30,603,448
• 2020 base salary (current season): $30,603,448

Utah Jazz

• Player: Mike Conley Jr.
• Position: Point guard
• 2020 cap hits (current season): $32,511,623
• 2020 base salary (current season): $32,511,623

Boston Celtics

• Player: Kemba Walker
• Position: Point guard
• 2020 cap hits (current season): $32,742,000
• 2020 base salary (current season): $32,742,000

Miami Heat

• Player: Jimmy Butler
• Position: Shooting guard
• 2020 cap hits (current season): $32,742,000
• 2020 base salary (current season): $32,742,000

Philadelphia 76ers

• Player: Tobias Harris
• Position: Small forward
• 2020 cap hits (current season): $32,742,000
• 2020 base salary (current season): $32,742,000

Los Angeles Clippers

• Player: Paul George
• Position: Small forward
• 2020 cap hits (current season): $33,005,556
• 2020 base salary (current season): $33,005,556

Detroit Pistons

• Player: Blake Griffin
• Position: Power forward
• 2020 cap hits (current season): $34,449,964
• 2020 base salary (current season): $34,234,964

Toronto Raptors

• Player: Kyle Lowry
• Position: Point guard
• 2020 cap hits (current season): $34,996,296
• 2020 base salary (current season): $33,296,296

Los Angeles Lakers

• Player: LeBron James
• Position: Small forward
• 2020 cap hits (current season): $37,436,858
• 2020 base salary (current season): $37,436,858

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Brooklyn Nets

• Player: Kevin Durant
• Position: Small forward
• 2020 cap hits (current season): $38,199,000
• 2020 base salary (current season): $37,199,000

Washington Wizards

• Player: John Wall
• Position: Point guard
• 2020 cap hits (current season): $38,199,000
• 2020 base salary (current season): $38,199,000

Houston Rockets

• Player: Russell Westbrook
• Position: Point guard
• 2020 cap hits (current season): $38,506,482
• 2020 base salary (current season): $38,506,482

Oklahoma City Thunder

• Player: Chris Paul
• Position: Point guard
• 2020 cap hits (current season): $38,506,482
• 2020 base salary (current season): $38,506,482

Golden State Warriors

• Player: Stephen Curry
• Position: Point guard
• 2020 cap hits (current season): $40,231,758
• 2020 base salary (current season): $40,231,758

Look: 16 Sports You Can Still Bet On While Professional Leagues Are Shut Down

NFL

The upcoming 2020 NFL season is set to start Sept. 10. Of course, whether or not that will happen remains to be seen thanks to the coronavirus. On May 11, The New York Times wrote that the odds of the season starting as normal were decreasing by the day. At the very least, stadiums will likely be empty or only admit a certain number of people to comply with social distancing guidelines.

It makes you wonder, what’s it like as a player to be paid millions of dollars to run around a completely empty venue? Does the difference in pay between athletes still make sense when franchises can’t bring in revenue from fans? Learn more about the highest-paid NFL star on every team — who may or may not end up earning their paycheck.

Buffalo Bills

• Player: Mitch Morse
• Position: Center
• 2020 cap hits (current season): $11,625,000
• 2020 base salary (current season): $6,775,000

Miami Dolphins

• Player: Byron Jones
• Position: Cornerback
• 2020 cap hits (current season): $14,000,000
• 2020 base salary (current season): $11,000,000

Cleveland Browns

• Player: Olivier Vernon
• Position: Defensive end
• 2020 cap hits (current season): $15,500,000
• 2020 base salary (current season): $15,250,000

Houston Texans

• Player: J.J. Watt
• Position: Defensive end
• 2020 cap hits (current season): $15,500,000
• 2020 base salary (current season): $15,500,000

Baltimore Ravens

• Player: Matt Judon
• Position: Outside linebacker
• 2020 cap hits (current season): $15,828,000
• 2020 base salary (current season): $15,828,000

Los Angeles Chargers

• Player: Melvin Ingram
• Position: Defensive end
• 2020 cap hits (current season): $16,625,000
• 2020 base salary (current season): $14,000,000

New York Jets

• Player: C.J. Mosley
• Position: Inside linebacker
• 2020 cap hits (current season): $17,500,000
• 2020 base salary (current season): $6,000,000

Jacksonville Jaguars

• Player: Yannick Ngakoue
• Position: Defensive end
• 2020 cap hits (current season): $17,788,000
• 2020 base salary (current season): $17,788,000

Cincinnati Bengals

• Player: A.J. Green
• Position: Wide receiver
• 2020 cap hits (current season): $17,865,000
• 2020 base salary (current season): $17,865,000

New England Patriots

• Player: Stephon Gilmore
• Position: Cornerback
• 2020 cap hits (current season): $18,670,833
• 2020 base salary (current season): $10,500,000

Kansas City Chiefs

• Player: Frank Clark
• Position: Defensive end
• 2020 cap hits (current season): $19,300,000
• 2020 base salary (current season): $12,000,000

Related: Which NFL Teams Spent the Most in Free Agency?

Carolina Panthers

• Player: Kawann Short
• Position: Defensive end
• 2020 cap hits (current season): $19,464,000
• 2020 base salary (current season): $12,500,000

New York Giants

• Player: Nate Solder
• Position: Left tackle
• 2020 cap hits (current season): $19,500,000
• 2020 base salary (current season): $9,900,000

Atlanta Falcons

• Player: Julio Jones
• Position: Wide receiver
• 2020 cap hits (current season): $20,416,668
• 2020 base salary (current season): $11,200,000

Minnesota Vikings

• Player: Kirk Cousins
• Position: Quarterback
• 2020 cap hits (current season): $21,000,000
• 2020 base salary (current season): $9,500,000

Detroit Lions

• Player: Matthew Stafford
• Position: Quarterback
• 2020 cap hits (current season): $21,300,000
• 2020 base salary (current season): $7,800,000

Arizona Cardinals

• Player: Chandler Jones
• Position: Outside linebacker
• 2020 cap hits (current season): $21,333,333
• 2020 base salary (current season): $16,000,000

Washington Redskins

• Player: Alex Smith
• Position: Quarterback
• 2020 cap hits (current season): $21,400,000
• 2020 base salary (current season): $16,000,000

Las Vegas Raiders

• Player: Derek Carr
• Position: Quarterback
• 2020 cap hits (current season): $21,500,000
• 2020 base salary (current season): $18,900,000

Green Bay Packers

• Player: Aaron Rodgers
• Position: Quarterback
• 2020 cap hits (current season): $21,642,000
• 2020 base salary (current season): $1,550,000

Tennessee Titans

• Player: Ryan Tannehill
• Position: Quarterback
• 2020 cap hits (current season): $22,500,000
• 2020 base salary (current season): $17,500,000

New Orleans Saints

• Player: Drew Brees
• Position: Quarterback
• 2020 cap hits (current season): $23,650,000
• 2020 base salary (current season): $2,000,000

Also See: 13 NFL Players Who Lost Millions

Pittsburgh Steelers

• Player: Ben Roethlisberger
• Position: Quarterback
• 2020 cap hits (current season): $23,750,000
• 2020 base salary (current season): $1,500,000

Philadelphia Eagles

• Player: Fletcher Cox
• Position: Defensive tackle
• 2020 cap hits (current season): $23,847,000
• 2020 base salary (current season): $11,200,000

Indianpolis Colts

• Player: Philip Rivers
• Position: Quarterback
• 2020 cap hits (current season): $25,000,000
• 2020 base salary (current season): $13,000,000

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

• Player: Tom Brady
• Position: Quarterback
• 2020 cap hits (current season): $25,000,000
• 2020 base salary (current season): $15,000,000

Denver Broncos

• Player: Von Miller
• Position: Outside linebacker
• 2020 cap hits (current season): $25,625,000
• 2020 base salary (current season): $17,500,000

Chicago Bears

• Player: Khalil Mack
• Position: Outside linebacker
• 2020 cap hits (current season): $26,600,000
• 2020 base salary (current season): $13,300,000

San Francisco 49ers

• Player: Jimmy Garoppolo
• Position: Quarterback
• 2020 cap hits (current season): $26,600,000
• 2020 base salary (current season): $23,800,000

Los Angeles Rams

• Player: Jared Goff
• Position: Quarterback
• 2020 cap hits (current season): $29,002,682
• 2020 base salary (current season): $1,242,682

Seattle Seahawks

• Player: Russell Wilson
• Position: Quarterback
• 2020 cap hits (current season): $31,000,000
• 2020 base salary (current season): $18,000,000

Dallas Cowboys

• Player: Dak Prescott
• Position: Quarterback
• 2020 cap hits (current season): $31,409,000
• 2020 base salary (current season): $31,409,000

MLB

Major League Baseball and its players’ union are trying to come to terms with how a 2020 MLB season might unfold. Current projections have games starting July 4, but financial terms are still in heavy negotiation. As with other sports, the concept of social distancing presents a quandary for MLB. Since playing in high-capacity stadiums is no longer feasible, at least temporarily, MLB has developed a number of proposals, including playing games with no fans and reorganizing the leagues geographically to cut down on team travel.

The bottom line is that this MLB season, if it even happens, will be unlike any other season fans have seen. The players might feel the same way, playing in empty stadiums and bemoaning (relatively) empty bank accounts. Here’s the list of the top-paid baseball players on every MLB team, along with the salaries they were promised but are not likely to fully earn for the coming season. 

Read: As Baseball Considers a Season With No Fans, What Playing in Empty Stadiums Would Cost Every MLB Franchise

Miami Marlins

• Player: Jonathan Villar
• Position: Second baseman
• 2020 cap hits (current season): $8,200,000
• 2020 base salary (current season): $8,200,000

Pittsburgh Pirates

• Player: Chris Archer
• Position: Starting pitcher
• 2020 cap hits (current season): $9,000,000
• 2020 base salary (current season): $9,000,000

Tampa Bay Rays

• Player: Charlie Morton
• Position: Starting pitcher
• 2020 cap hits (current season): $15,000,000
• 2020 base salary (current season): $15,000,000

Kansas City Royals

• Player: Ian Kennedy
• Position: Relief pitcher
• 2020 cap hits (current season): $16,500,000
• 2020 base salary (current season): $16,500,000

Oakland Athletics

• Player: Khris Davis
• Position: Designated hitter
• 2020 cap hits (current season): $16,750,000
• 2020 base salary (current season): $16,750,000

Milwaukee Brewers

• Player: Ryan Braun
• Position: Left fielder
• 2020 cap hits (current season): $17,000,000
• 2020 base salary (current season): $16,000,000

Arizona Diamondbacks

• Player: Yasmany Tomas
• Position: Left fielder
• 2020 cap hits (current season): $17,000,000
• 2020 base salary (current season): $17,000,000

Chicago White Sox

• Player: Yasmani Grandal
• Position: Catcher
• 2020 cap hits (current season): $18,250,000
• 2020 base salary (current season): $18,250,000

Seattle Mariners

• Player: Kyle Seager
• Position: Third baseman
• 2020 cap hits (current season): $19,500,000
• 2020 base salary (current season): $19,000,000

Toronto Blue Jays

• Player: Hyun-Jin Ryu
• Position: Starting pitcher
• 2020 cap hits (current season): $20,000,000
• 2020 base salary (current season): $20,000,000

Cleveland Indians

• Player: Carlos Santana
• Position: First baseman
• 2020 cap hits (current season): $20,833,334
• 2020 base salary (current season): $17,500,000

Minnesota Twins

• Player: Josh Donaldson
• Position: Third baseman
• 2020 cap hits (current season): $21,000,000
• 2020 base salary (current season): $21,000,000

Texas Rangers

• Player: Shin-Soo Choo
• Position: Designated hitter
• 2020 cap hits (current season): $21,000,000
• 2020 base salary (current season): $21,000,000

Baltimore Orioles

• Player: Chris Davis
• Position: First baseman
• 2020 cap hits (current season): $21,118,782
• 2020 base salary (current season): $17,000,000

San Francisco Giants

• Player: Buster Posey
• Position: Catcher
• 2020 cap hits (current season): $22,177,777
• 2020 base salary (current season): $21,400,000

Atlanta Braves

• Player: Freddie Freeman
• Position: First baseman
• 2020 cap hits (current season): $22,359,375
• 2020 base salary (current season): $22,000,000

Chicago Cubs

• Player: Jason Heyward
• Position: Right fielder
• 2020 cap hits (current season): $23,500,000
• 2020 base salary (current season): $21,000,000

Cincinnati Reds

• Player: Joey Votto
• Position: First baseman
• 2020 cap hits (current season): $25,000,000
• 2020 base salary (current season): $25,000,000

St. Louis Cardinals

• Player: Paul Goldschmidt
• Position: First baseman
• 2020 cap hits (current season): $26,000,000
• 2020 base salary (current season): $22,000,000

Philadelphia Phillies

• Player: Bryce Harper
• Position: Right fielder
• 2020 cap hits (current season): $27,538,462
• 2020 base salary (current season): $26,000,000

New York Mets

• Player: Yoenis Cespedes
• Position: Center fielder
• 2020 cap hits (current season): $29,500,000
• 2020 base salary (current season): $29,500,000

Related: 30 Classic MLB Games You Can Stream for Free

Boston Red Sox

• Player: Chris Sale
• Position: Starting pitcher
• 2020 cap hits (current season): $30,000,000
• 2020 base salary (current season): $30,000,000

Detroit Tigers

• Player: Miguel Cabrera
• Position: Designated hitter
• 2020 cap hits (current season): $30,000,000
• 2020 base salary (current season): $30,000,000

San Diego Padres

• Player: Manny Machado
• Position: Third baseman
• 2020 cap hits (current season): $32,000,000
• 2020 base salary (current season): $30,000,000

Los Angeles Dodgers

• Player: David Price
• Position: Starting pitcher
• 2020 cap hits (current season): $32,000,000
• 2020 base salary (current season): $32,000,000

Houston Astros

• Player: Zack Greinke
• Position: Starting pitcher
• 2020 cap hits (current season): $35,000,000
• 2020 base salary (current season): $32,000,000

Colorado Rockies

• Player: Nolan Arenado
• Position: Third baseman
• 2020 cap hits (current season): $35,000,000
• 2020 base salary (current season): $35,000,000

Washington Nationals

• Player: Max Scherzer
• Position: Starting pitcher
• 2020 cap hits (current season): $35,920,616
• 2020 base salary (current season): $28,777,759

New York Yankees

• Player: Gerrit Cole
• Position: Starting pitcher
• 2020 cap hits (current season): $36,000,000
• 2020 base salary (current season): $36,000,000

Los Angeles Angels

• Player: Mike Trout
• Position: Center fielder
• 2020 cap hits (current season): $37,666,666
• 2020 base salary (current season): $36,000,000

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Methodology: In order to find the highest-paid player on every NFL, MLB and NBA team, GOBankingRates used Spotrac’s salary rankings data. For the NFL, data for the upcoming 2020 season was used to determine the highest-paid player on each team in terms of cap hit. For the MLB, data for the current-but-delayed 2020 season was used to determine the highest-paid player on each team in terms of payroll salary (MLB’s version of cap hit). For the NBA, data for the ongoing 2019-2020 season was used to determine the highest-paid player on each team in terms of cap hit. Each highest-paid player’s base salary for the corresponding season was also included as supplemental data. All data and figures were collected and are up to date as of May 22, 2020.

About the Author

John Csiszar

After earning a B.A. in English with a Specialization in Business from UCLA, John Csiszar worked in the financial services industry as a registered representative for 18 years. Along the way, Csiszar earned both Certified Financial Planner and Registered Investment Adviser designations, in addition to being licensed as a life agent, while working for both a major Wall Street wirehouse and for his own investment advisory firm. During his time as an advisor, Csiszar managed over $100 million in client assets while providing individualized investment plans for hundreds of clients.

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