Orlando City midfielder Kaká is the highest earning player in MLS, according to a list of salaries released by the MLS Players Union on Monday.
Kaká topped the wage list for the first time with a reported base salary of $6.1 million and guaranteed compensation of $7.1 million. The former FIFA World Player of the Year signed a Designated Player contract with Orlando City in July. He is currently on loan to São Paulo ahead of the club's debut next season.
Seattle forward Clint Dempsey ranks second on the list with $6.7 million in guaranteed compensation. Toronto FC duo Michael Bradley ($6.5 million) and Jermain Defoe ($6.18 million) fall third and fourth on the list, while LA Galaxy standouts Landon Donovan ($4.58 million) and Robbie Keane ($4.5 million) are fifth and sixth, respectively.
New England midfielder Jermaine Jones landed a spot in the top 10 earners after agreeing to terms with MLS on a free transfer in August. He is scheduled to make $3 million in base salary and take home $3.25 million in guaranteed compensation with the Revolution.
Portland defender Liam Ridgewell ($1.2 million in guaranteed compensation) also signed a seven-figure deal with the Timbers during the summer transfer window.
MLS now boasts 15 players with salaries exceeding $1 million in guaranteed compensation, according to the list. The number does not include the salaries for New York City F.C. signings Frank Lampard (unlisted during loan spell with Manchester City) and David Villa (listed at $60,000 ahead of his loan spell at Melbourne City).
The list serves as a guide to player salaries, but it does not necessarily reflect the salary budget hit incurred by players within the MLS system or show all compensation paid.
TOP 10 EARNERS IN MLS, PER MLS PLAYERS UNION (AS OF SEPTEMBER 15, 2014)
| PLAYER | CLUB | BASE SALARY | GUARANTEED COMPENSATION |
| Kaká |
Orlando City |
$6,660,000 | $7,167,500 |
| Clint Dempsey | Seattle | $4,913,004 | $6,695,188 |
| Michael Bradley |
Toronto FC | $6,000,000 | $6,500,000 |
| Jermain Defoe | Toronto FC | $6,000,000 | $6,180,000 |
| Landon Donovan | LA Galaxy | $4,250,000 | $4,583,333 |
| Robbie Keane | LA Galaxy | $4,500,000 | $4,500,000 |
| Thierry Henry |
NY Red Bulls | $3,750,000 | $4,350,000 |
| Tim Cahill | NY Red Bulls | $3,500,000 | $3,625,000 |
| Jermaine Jones | New England | $3,000,000 | $3,252,500 |
| Marco Di Vaio |
Montréal | $1,500,000 | $2,600,000 |
