Financial investments and sports performance in major league soccer: A comparative analysis between market value, base salary and results in conferences

Luciano Bernardes Leite; Arthur Eduardo de Carvalho Quintão; Sara Caco dos Lúcio Generoso; Bruno de Cassio Coelho; Matheus  Soares Faria; Pedro Rodrigues; Pedro Forte; André Schneider; Christiano Eduardo Veneroso

doi:10.24310/riccafd.14.2.2025.21425

Authors

Luciano Bernardes Leite Department of Physical Education, Federal University of Viçosa, Viçosa-MG, Brazil, Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3012-1327
Arthur Eduardo de Carvalho Quintão Department of Physical Education, Federal University of Viçosa, Viçosa-MG, Brazil, Brazil
Sara Caco dos Lúcio Generoso Department of Physical Education, Federal University of Viçosa, Viçosa-MG, Brazil, Brazil
Bruno de Cassio Coelho Department of Physical Education, Federal University of Viçosa, Viçosa-MG, Brazil Brazil
Matheus Soares Faria Department of Physical Education, Federal University of Viçosa, Viçosa-MG, Brazil, Brazil
Pedro Rodrigues Department of Sport Sciences, Instituto Politécnico de Bragança, Bragança, Portugal Portugal
Pedro Forte Department of Sport Sciences, Instituto Politécnico de Bragança, Bragança, Portugal Portugal
André Schneider Instituto Politécnico de Bragança Portugal
Christiano Eduardo Veneroso Department of Physical Education, Federal University of Maranhão; São Luís-MA, Brazil Brazil

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.24310/riccafd.14.2.2025.21425

Keywords:

financial investments, sports performance, major league soccer (MLS), financial efficiency, strategic management

Agencies: Department of Physical Education, Federal University of Viçosa, Viçosa-MG, Brazil,, Department of Sport Sciences, Instituto Politécnico de Bragança, Bragança, Portugal,, Department of Physical Education, Federal University of Maranhão; São Luís-MA, Brazil,

Abstract

This study examines the link between financial investments and sports performance in Major League Soccer (MLS) during 2023. It finds that higher investments do not ensure superior outcomes. In the Eastern Conference, Cincinnati excelled with modest financial figures ($11.46M base salary, $13.20M Guaranteed Compensation, and €29.25M market value), while higher-spending teams like Inter Miami and Toronto lagged behind. Similarly, in the Western Conference, St. Louis City led with 56 points, despite a lower budget ($9.49M base salary, $10.51M Guaranteed Compensation, €23.03M market value), outperforming higher spenders like Seattle Sounders and LAFC. Correlation analysis revealed negative associations between points and base salary (-0.52) and Guaranteed Compensation (-0.61) in the Eastern Conference, while points in the Western Conference showed weak correlations with financial variables. The study underscores the critical role of financial efficiency over mere expenditure for success in MLS.

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