Dodgers Split $46M from Record-Breaking MLB Playoff Pool
It’s been a whirlwind year for the Los Angeles Dodgers, and the rewards just keep piling up. Not only did they clinch the World Series title, but they also walked away with a hefty postseason payout. The Dodgers’ full postseason share for their championship run totaled $477,441 per full share, a figure that’s slightly down from the winners’ shares in 2022 and 2023. Still, it’s a payday most players won’t be complaining about anytime soon.
The MLB postseason pool hit a record-breaking $129.1 million this year, thanks to the third year of expanded playoffs. That’s a significant jump from last year’s $107.8 million, according to the commissioner’s office. The Dodgers, who voted for 79 full shares, 17.49 partial shares, and $405,000 in cash awards, divided a pool of $46.47 million. This year’s 96.49 full-share equivalents marked an increase from the 76.56 equivalents last year when the Texas Rangers split $38.81 million, with each full share worth $506,263. Interestingly, the Dodgers also led the league in share equivalents last year with 94.04, despite being eliminated in the Division Series.
How Does This Compare to Previous Years?
Let’s take a quick trip down memory lane. Back in 2022, the Houston Astros set a record with a full share worth $516,347. That year, the Astros divided their pool into 59 full shares, 14.14 partial shares, and $940,000 in cash awards. Fast forward to this year, and the Dodgers’ $477,441 per full share doesn’t quite reach those heights, but it’s still a massive payout for the players who brought the championship back to Los Angeles.
Meanwhile, the American League champion New York Yankees saw their full share come to $354,572. That’s a bump up from the $313,634 the Arizona Diamondbacks received last year after losing the World Series to the Texas Rangers. The Yankees divided their pool into 71 full shares and 16.38 partial shares, totaling 87.38 full-share equivalents.
Breaking Down the Numbers
Here’s a look at the full shares for other playoff teams this year:
- Cleveland Guardians: $182,663
- New York Mets: $179,948
- Detroit Tigers: $55,729
- Philadelphia Phillies: $52,278
- Kansas City Royals: $49,583
- San Diego Padres: $45,985
- Baltimore Orioles: $11,870
- Houston Astros: $10,749
- Milwaukee Brewers: $10,013
- Atlanta Braves: $9,548
It’s worth noting that the postseason pool is funded by 60% of gate receipts from the first four games of the World Series and League Championship Series, the first three games of each Division Series, and the first two games of each Wild Card Series. For visiting teams in the Wild Card Series, travel expenses of up to $100,000 per club are deducted from the pool.
How the Pool is Divided
The distribution of the postseason pool is as follows:
- World Series champion: 36% of the pool
- World Series runner-up: 24%
- Each League Championship Series loser: 12%
- Each Division Series loser: 3.3%
- Each Wild Card Series loser: 0.8%
For the Dodgers, this year’s payout is just the cherry on top of an incredible season. With Shohei Ohtani leading the charge in his first year with the team, the Dodgers not only captured the World Series title but also saw Ohtani take home the National League Most Valuable Player award. It’s safe to say that 2024 will go down as a year to remember for Dodgers fans.
As the MLB offseason gets underway, teams across the league will be looking to replicate the Dodgers’ success. But for now, the reigning champs can sit back, enjoy their well-earned bonuses, and reflect on a season for the ages.
Originally Written by: Associated Press
