Slightly Higher Salaries, More Equity in the MLS

Last May I showed that the income distribution in Major League Soccer was akin to that which might be found in Haiti -- that is to say, lots and lots of people at the low end of the income scale and a few at the top. The league has just released its 2013 salary information (H/T @FutbalIntellect).

I can report that the MLS Gini Index (a conventional measure of income inequality) has decreased (become more equal) from about 57 to 53 -- so rather than Haiti as an analogue, think Panama. The graph at the top of this post comes from this nifty online calculator.

Some other facts:

• The MLS has 8 millionaires by salary
• 106 players (of 557) make >$200,000
• 249 make >$100,000 (this is also the median income of males 25+ with a professional degree)
• 308 make <$100,000, down from 328 last year.
• 154 make <$50,000

Obviously, the MLS has a long way to go to be able to afford top talent from top to bottom.