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numerista
12 Feb 2006, 10:24 PM
From the Miami Herald, 12/25/82

1982 NASL SALARIES

BY CLUB

Club Average Highest Lowest

New York $91,220 $281,250 $20,000

Fort Lauderdale 46,279 100,000 18,600

Chicago 44,463 111,000 13,997

Montreal 43,531 80,000 11,250

Seattle 38,996 87,000 14,737

Portland 38,391 63,000 15,600

Toronto 36,273 55,000 7,095

Tulsa 35,230 76,667 14,000

Jacksonville 33,666 60,500 10,000

Vancouver 33,606 50,000 19,800

Edmonton 33,254 55,000 15,000

Tampa Bay 33,250 70,000 9,000

San Diego 32,684 70,000 8,800

San Jose 23,966 45,150 10,000

League $42,163 $281,250 $7,095

To adjust for inflation, multiply by two.

-- These figures are based on a survey to which 83% of the players responded. To adjust to 2005 dollars, multiply by two. The NASLPA director indicated that with perks, actual incomes were probably 10% higher.

-- Salaries are considerably higher than the 1979 Washington Post estimates, and also higher than the 1980 player survey results, where "North American players (U.S. or Canadian citizens) earned an average of $20,394 and foreign players $32,297."

-- Other 1982 breakdowns ... foreign $46.8K, N.Amer. $36.1K; fwd $47.3K, mid $40.6K, def $38.2K, $gk 43.4K

-- What I think is most striking is how the international player market has changed in the last 25 years. The '82 Cosmos were spending in the vicinity of what Chivas USA will probably pay this year, and all the other teams were paying below MLS wages. It used to be a lot cheaper to be a big spender.

numerista
12 Feb 2006, 10:25 PM
More Washington Post info on the NASL, this from April 22, 1979...

The average salary for American players was estimated at just over $12,000 and for foreign players just over $19,000 by league sources. Except for the Cosmos, whose budget rivals those of the NFL or NBA clubs, NASL clubs operate on a tight budget.

In 2006 dollars, that'd be an average salary of $32K for US players and $50K for foreigners.

As a rough MLS calculation, the 2006 "cap" will be $1.91 million, spread among 18 players, for $106K per.

kenntomasch
13 Feb 2006, 11:02 AM
Great find. Well done.

sidefootsitter
13 Feb 2006, 07:35 PM
I thought Beckenbauer came to the US for $300K, which doubled his salary with Bayern.

For comparison, I do remember Kareem making $600K/Y with the Lakers until Bird and Magic came out at the same time. They each got $600K also and subsequently Kareem got a raise to $1M.

Milwaukee Brewers GM Harry Dalton signed Larry Hisle for $500K/Y in 1978.

Nolan Ryan signed with Houston after the 1979 season for $1M/Y.

IIRC, Lynn Dickey was making $450K in 1980 and was the second highest paid NFL player.