Aug 5, 2025 - Sports

What Columbus Crew players make

Andrew King,
Alissa Widman Neese

A bar chart showing the highest-paid Columbus Crew players by guaranteed compensation as of May 2025. Diego Rossi is the highest-paid player, earning $3.4m, followed by Dániel Gazdag at $2.6m. — Data: MLS Players Association; Note: Includes base salary, agent's fees and bonuses annualized over the term of each player's contract, including option years; Chart: Axios Visuals

As the Crew continue defending their title tonight in the team's final Leagues Cup group stage match, they'll do so with one of the most affordable rosters in MLS.

Why it matters: Leagues Cup brands itself as a showcase of stars — an area where the Crew are dwarfed by some big-money MLS competitors.

By the numbers: According to the most recent MLS Players Association salary guide, Columbus' $16.4 million roster is just the 20th most expensive in the league.

Yes, but: That figure was calculated before the Crew signed new striker Wessam Abou Ali.

That figure has yet to be reported, but will be into seven figures.

Stunning stat: Superstar Lionel Messi's guaranteed $20.4 million contract is more than 20 MLS teams' rosters, including ours.

Table showing MLS teams' total guaranteed compensation as an annualized average for the 2025 season. Inter Miami has the highest total at $46.8 million, followed by Toronto FC at $34.1 million and Atlanta at $27.6 million. — Data: MLS Players Association; Note: Includes base salary, agent's fees and bonuses annualized over the term of each player's contract, including option years; Table: Axios Visuals

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What Columbus Crew players make

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