The World Series between the New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers fueled a record postseason bonus pool of $129.1 million, according to the commissioner’s office. The tally was 20% higher than the previous high of $107.8 million set last year—it was $107.5 million in 2022 when the playoffs expanded to their current format.
The World Series champion Dodgers split $46.47 million of the pool. They awarded 79 full shares, 17.49 partial shares and cash awards worth $405,000. A full share was worth $477,441, below the record of $516,347 in 2022 when the Houston Astros had 59 full shares.
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A share for the 2024 Yankees was $354,572, based on 71 full shares and 16.38 partial shares.
The 2024 playoffs were almost certain to produce a record payout for players based on the formula and big market teams in the Fall Classic. The bonus pool is comprised of 60% of gate receipts from the minimum number of games in each series (two games in the Wild Card round, three in the Division Series, and four each in the League Championship Series and World Series).
The World Series winner gets 36% of the pool, while the runner-up receives 24%. The two LCS losers split 24%, the four teams that lost in the Division Series distribute 13%, and the four WC losers divide 3%. Teams can allocate their share of the pool however they want.
Baseball’s championship payouts slot in behind the NBA on a per-player basis. NBA playoff teams received $33.7 million this year, with each Celtics player earning roughly $800,000 after winning the title. Kansas City Chiefs players made $338,000 for their Super Bowl run. In the NHL, the playoff pool was $22 million, and $6.5 million, or roughly $240,000 per player, went to the champion Florida Panthers.
Full shares for other 2024 MLB playoff teams were $182,663 (Cleveland Guardians), $179,948 (New York Mets), $55,729 (Detroit Tigers), $52,278 (Philadelphia Phillies), $49,583 (Kansas City Royals), $45,985 (San Diego Padres), $11,870 (Baltimore Orioles), $10,749 (Houston Astros), $10,013 (Milwaukee Brewers) and $9,548 (Atlanta Braves).
The payouts don’t move the needle much for the sport’s top earners, with the top 15 making roughly $650 million combined this year from salaries and endorsements, but it is a boost for the large number of players earning the minimum MLB salary, which was $740,000 in 2024.
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