#rookie-pay-scale

#rookie-pay-scale

I understand that there's interest in the A.J. Brown story. I, unfortunately, don't have a home under a rock. But my answer to any question on A.J. Brown is A.J. Brown is a member of the Eagles.

For years now, the entry-level UFC fighters making their promotional debuts have earned a rather embarrassingly low $10,000 to show, $10,000 to win (10/10) fight purse. Yet occasionally, a debuting fighter would pocket $12,000 to show (and another 12K to win). With fighter purses no longer disclosed in Nevada and many other jurisdictions, it's been hard to keep track of who is making what in the sport.

The possible implementation of a salary cap is one of the biggest issues dividing Major League Baseball and the Players Association (MLBPA) as collective bargaining agreement (CBA) negotiations are set to begin in the spring. The league believes a salary cap is necessary to improve competitive balance, while the players remain strongly against one, as it would limit their potential earnings. As it currently stands, MLB is the only major North American professional sports league without a salary cap.

The big news this week is the Dodgers winning the Kyle Tucker and the Mets grabbing Bo Bichette. It's some big money. Kyle Tucker is getting that partially deferred 60MM AAV and Bo Bichette is getting an player option protected 43MM AAV. I don't begrudge them. They're both at the top of a very high profile profession where the top get the tippy-top cash. It might be getting hard to see anything but the bucks though.

MLB is the only one of the four major American sports without a minimum and maximum limit to spending, and some owners may be looking to change that. According to Jon Heyman of MLB Network, the early projections from the league suggest a salary cap of around $260-280 million, along with a salary floor of around $140-160 million.

Many in the industry expect a lockout and some even worry about the potential for lost games in 2027. Jon Heyman and Joel Sherman of The New York Post report that the league has put aside a war chest of about $2 billion, roughly $75MM per team, from a central fund to help weather a potentially lengthy stoppage. The MLBPA has made similar preparations but the report doesn't provide specifics for that side.