Base salary is the foundational income an athlete earns as part of their contract before bonuses, incentives, or other forms of compensation are added.
It’s typically paid out in weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly installments across the length of the season, and is often not guaranteed in full unless specified.
This is the number you often see listed on public salary databases, but it’s just one piece of an athlete’s total compensation package.
How Base Salaries Apply In Different Leagues
🏈NFL
The base salary is a major part of NFL contracts, but often not guaranteed. It’s used to structure cap hits and can be offset by bonuses.
Use cases
- Paid weekly over 18 weeks in the regular season.
- Often negotiated lower to allow more money via bonuses (which are easier to manipulate for cap).
- Players can be cut before season starts and forfeit all non-guaranteed base salary.
Example
In 2023, Patrick Mahomes had a base salary of just $2.5 million, despite a contract worth over $450 million.
His earnings were loaded in roster bonuses and future guarantees, in order to allow cap flexibility.
🏀NBA
Most base salaries in the NBA are fully guaranteed and form the bulk of the total contract value.
Use cases
- Paid bi-weekly over the season.
- Amount is set at signing and cannot be reduced unless agreed upon in restructuring or buyout.
- Large base salaries affect luxury tax and cap hits.
Example
Stephen Curry’s 2023-24 base salary of $51.9 million is fully guaranteed. It directly hits the Warriors’ cap and contributes to their tax penalties.
🧳MLB
All MLB base salaries are guaranteed unless explicitly stated otherwise.
Use cases
- Paid in equal installments over 186 days of the regular season.
- Amount owed remains even if player is benched or injured.
- Players receive per diem and housing stipends on top.
Example
Aaron Judge’s $40 million base salary is fully guaranteed through 2031. Even if he faces injury, the Yankees are on the hook for every dollar of his deal.
🏂NHL
Most base salaries are part of guaranteed contracts, but signing bonuses are often emphasized more.
Use cases
- Used in combo with signing bonuses to influence lockout protection.
- Paid bi-weekly across the season.
- Key in entry-level contracts where cap manipulation isn’t needed yet.
Example
Connor McDavid’s base salary in 2024 is $1 million, while his signing bonus is $11 million. This structure ensures payment even during potential lockouts.
⚽MLS / International Soccer
Soccer contracts work differently from most U.S. sports because salaries are influenced by league rules (MLS salary budget), International transfers, spending power and Designated Players.
Base salary in Soccer refers to the guaranteed amount a player earns before bonuses, appearance fees, goal incentives, or transfer payments.
In MLS, this number is fully transparent, as the MLS Players Association publishes each players base salary publicly each season.
Use cases
- European clubs often offer higher base salaries because they don’t operate under a strict salary cap.
- MLS players may have lower base salaries, but earn more through allocation money, DP status, and performance bonuses.
- Young talent (Homegrown), usually start with low base salaries, but get massive boosts if/when they are sold to International leagues.
Example
Lionel Messi’s MLS base salary is reported to be ~$12 million annually, but his total compensation is far higher due to bonuses, revenue sharing, and commercial sponsors, partnerships and endorsements.
🏆UFC / Combat Sports
Base salary = “show money” in UFC terms. It’s the guaranteed purse for participating in a fight, regardless of outcome.
Use cases
- Matched by a “win bonus.”
- Not paid if fighter misses weight or fight is canceled for certain reasons.
- Varies widely by fighter status and draw.
Example
At UFC 264, Dustin Poirier reportedly received $1 million base, with another $1 million bonus for winning the bout.
⛳Golf / Tennis / Individual Sports
No true base salary exists in most individual sports. Athletes are paid by performance unless on a team or league deal (e.g., LIV Golf).
Use cases
- Appearance fees can act like base salary in exhibitions or team leagues.
- Some tennis leagues now offer guaranteed base payments to keep top talent.
Example
In LIV Golf, Bryson DeChambeau reportedly earns $25 million annually. The deal is structured similar to a base salary.
🏎️Racing (F1, NASCAR, IndyCar)
Top F1 drivers receive large guaranteed base salaries; other drivers get smaller base + performance payouts.
Use cases
- Paid monthly or in lump sum contracts.
- Can be supplemented with sponsor and finish bonuses.
Example
Lewis Hamilton’s contract includes a $55 million base, before any incentive clauses for podium finishes or outright championships.
Why Base Salary Matters
Base salary sets the baseline of pay for athletes and determines how contracts are structured.
In some leagues, it’s everything. In others, it’s just the starting point.
- Used in salary cap math
- Forms the foundation for escrow and pension calculations
- Often paired with guarantees to secure player income
- Can be restructured or deferred to manipulate team cap space
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