Los Angeles FC Wiretap

Inter Miami lead MLS in total guaranteed team compensation at $54.57 million, a new league record that surpasses the club's own benchmark set at this point last season by $7.7 million, according to figures released by the MLS Players Association.

Miami's payroll exceeds double the total of all but two other clubs. LAFC rank second at $32.65 million, followed by Atlanta United at $27.88 million, the LA Galaxy at $26.43 million and the Vancouver Whitecaps at $24.56 million. The Whitecaps are currently listed for sale and facing possible relocation.

At the other end of the spectrum, reigning Supporters' Shield holders Philadelphia Union are the league's most frugal spenders at $11.70 million, demonstrating that roster investment and on-field results do not always align in MLS.

Total Guaranteed Compensation By MLS Team

1. Inter Miami: $54.57 million
2. LAFC: $32.65 million
3. Atlanta United: $27.88 million
4. LA Galaxy: $26.43 million
5. Vancouver Whitecaps: $24.56 million
6. San Diego FC: $24.39 million
7. FC Cincinnati: $23.47 million
8. Nashville SC: $22.99 million
9. Columbus Crew: $22.34 million
10. Chicago Fire: $21.73 million
11. New York Red Bulls: $21.65 million
12. New York City FC: $21.54 million
13. Charlotte FC: $21.46 million
14. Toronto FC: $21.39 million
15. Houston Dynamo: $20.91 million
16. Austin FC: $19.89 million
17. New England Revolution: $19.41 million
18. Seattle Sounders: $19.09 million
19. St. Louis City: $18.81 million
20. Portland Timbers: $18.45 million
21. San Jose Earthquakes: $15.83 million
22. Minnesota United: $15.55 million
23. Real Salt Lake: $15.29 million
24. D.C. United: $14.55 million
25. FC Dallas: $14.54 million
26. Colorado Rapids: $14.13 million
27. Orlando City: $13.73 million
28. CF Montreal: $13.42 million
29. Sporting Kansas City: $12.36 million
30. Philadelphia Union: $11.70 million

Retired Mexican star Carlos Vela is returning to LAFC as an owner. Vela headlines a group of three incoming limited partners who acquired a combined 6% stake in the club at a $1.25 billion valuation, according to multiple people familiar with the matter.

The transaction, agreed upon in 2025 and closed earlier this year, ranks among the highest prices ever paid in an MLS stake sale. Brooklyn Nets owner Joe Tsai and Fanatics Collectibles CEO Mike Mahan departed the ownership group as part of the deal.

The two additional incoming partners remain unnamed. Sportico reports one is a Korean American investor and the other is a prominent Mexican business figure.

Vela, 37, spent seven seasons with LAFC from 2018 to 2024, scoring 90 goals across all competitions before announcing his retirement last May. He transitions directly from player to stakeholder.

LAFC co-president Larry Freedman addressed the departing partners.

"The common theme is that you can't script life, and sometimes life re-sorts your priorities, and you can't be an active participant," Freedman said. "It's not that anybody was disappointed in the experience, unhappy with their partners, or not proud of everything that LAFC has accomplished."

The club generated $158 million in revenue in 2025 and is entering its first full season with South Korean star Son Heung-min, who arrived from Tottenham Hotspur on an MLS-record transfer fee of roughly $26 million.

LAFC currently carries an enterprise value of $1.4 billion, ranking second leaguewide behind Lionel Messi's Inter Miami at $1.45 billion.

Forward Denis Bouanga and LAFC have signed a multiyear designated player contract extension through 2028, with an option covering the 2029-30 MLS season. The club announced the deal Wednesday, ending reported pursuit from Brazilian club Fluminense.

Bouanga, 31, became LAFC's all-time leading scorer last season and has posted 101 goals and 42 assists across 152 appearances since arriving from Ligue 1's St-Etienne in August 2022.

The Gabon international made history last season by becoming the first MLS player to record 20 or more goals in three straight seasons, finishing as runner-up for the Golden Boot with a career-best 24 regular season goals.

"Denis has delivered at an elite level with historic consistency since the day he arrived, and he has helped us win multiple trophies," LAFC general manager John Thorrington said. "This new contract reflects that."

Bouanga has formed a formidable attacking partnership with designated player Son Heung-Min. The duo combined for 25 goals and eight assists during their brief stretch together, including 18 consecutive LAFC goals over nearly two months.

"I'm grateful to LAFC for the trust they've shown in me," Bouanga said. "I believe in what we are building here, and I'm motivated to keep improving, winning more trophies, and helping this club reach even higher."

Bouanga is off to a strong start in 2026, recording a hat trick in CONCACAF Champions Cup play in Honduras before adding a goal and an assist in LAFC's 3-0 season-opening victory over defending MLS Cup champion Inter Miami CF.

Major League Soccer's pending calendar shift to a European-style schedule is being viewed inside the league as more than a structural change. Sporting executives say the move could finally position MLS to capitalize on television revenue in a meaningful way.

"For so long, MLS has just been a gameday experience type of league," one chief soccer officer told The Athletic. "Media rights are where the money is, and hopefully that's what happens. We're putting the playoffs in a part of the calendar that has a lot less high-level competition, and it is hopefully going to get a boost to the TV money overall."

Beginning in July 2027, MLS will align its schedule with European leagues, syncing transfer windows and creating postseason slots that avoid direct competition with other major sports properties.

Sporting directors pointed to several additional benefits from the alignment. Synchronized transfer windows would open access to the European player market, increase loan possibilities from top clubs and raise the transfer value of outgoing MLS players.

Cold weather concerns drew acknowledgment as a genuine challenge. "You're going to have a lot of unwatchable games," one executive conceded, while maintaining the long-term benefits outweigh the drawbacks.

Despite near-unanimous support for the direction, some executives urged faster action. "There's so much opportunity to improve this league faster than we do," one sporting director said. "It feels like at least we're having the right conversations that we probably haven't had in a number of years."

Inter Miami leads Major League Soccer franchise valuations at $1.45 billion, up 22% from last year, as the league prepares for transformational changes ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

The average MLS team is worth $767 million, according to Sportico, representing a 6% increase from 2024. However, gains remain concentrated among top clubs, with the bottom 12 franchises rising just 2% on average.

LAFC ranks second at $1.4 billion, up 9%, followed by LA Galaxy ($1.17 billion), Atlanta United ($1.14 billion) and New York City FC ($1.12 billion). Three teams declined in value: San Jose Earthquakes, Vancouver Whitecaps and CF Montreal.

The 30 MLS franchises are collectively worth $23 billion, including real estate and team-related businesses. MLS teams generated an estimated $2.5 billion last season, averaging $83 million per club from game days, sponsorships and non-MLS events.

Inter Miami's local revenues surpassed $200 million, boosted by Lionel Messi's impact and the franchise's first MLS Cup title. A record seven teams exceeded $100 million in revenue, up from four in 2024, while several clubs including Vancouver, Montreal and Colorado generated only $35 million to $40 million.

The financial disparity has grown more pronounced than other major leagues. Inter Miami ($1.45 billion) is worth 3.4 times more than Montreal ($430 million), compared to gaps of 2.8 in the NBA and 2.3 in the NFL.

MLS faces limited national media revenue compared to other leagues. Teams currently receive approximately $5 million annually from the Apple deal after production costs, while NHL clubs average $40 million from television agreements.

The league will shift to a FIFA-aligned calendar starting summer 2027, moving the MLS Cup playoffs from fall to May to avoid competing with football season.

Son Heung-min and Denis Bouanga have scored 17 consecutive goals between them for Los Angeles FC, establishing an MLS record for any goal-scoring pairing in league history.

The streak began on August 23 against FC Dallas following Son's arrival from Tottenham last month. Bouanga told the Guardian that the partnership has elevated his game alongside the South Korean star. LAFC have won four straight matches with a combined 15-4 scoreline during the run.

Bouanga leads the team with 23 goals this season, trailing only Lionel Messi by one goal in the golden boot race. He has scored 10 goals since Son's debut, including two hat-tricks.

Bouanga Makes Club History
The 30-year-old France-born Gabon international surpassed Carlos Vela to become LAFC's all-time leading scorer. Bouanga also became the first MLS player to score 20 or more goals in three consecutive seasons.

"I feel so good with Sonny on the pitch," Bouanga told the Guardian. "As you can see, I get along with him so well and so as a result the team does well when we go forward."

Son won a penalty in his debut against Chicago Fire that Bouanga converted for a 2-2 draw. The pair showed immediate chemistry despite limited training time together. Their latest performance came this past weekend against St Louis City, where Son scored twice and Bouanga added another.

Son Heung-min officially joined LAFC Wednesday in the most expensive inbound transfer in MLS history, signing through 2027 with options extending into 2029 after completing his decade-long tenure at Tottenham.

The 33-year-old South Korean forward was unveiled at BMO Stadium during a ceremony attended by Los Angeles mayor Karen Bass and supporters group The 3252. Son admitted LAFC was initially "not my first choice" but credited general manager John Thorrington with changing his perspective during their first phone conversation.

Former Tottenham teammate Hugo Lloris helped recruit Son by advising about Los Angeles' qualities. The estimated 320,000 Koreans living in greater Los Angeles also influenced his decision to join the Western Conference club.

"As a Korean, to know that Koreatown here in Los Angeles has so many Koreans, here in this country, I'm very proud to be a part of the club and the city," Son said through an interpreter. "And I'll make them proud with my performance."
Son explained his Tottenham departure last weekend, calling it "the most difficult decision I have made in my career." He cited achieving everything possible at Spurs and needing a fresh challenge in a new environment.

Son could debut Saturday against Chicago Fire pending P-1 visa approval. His home debut won't occur until September due to LAFC's upcoming road schedule.

"Obviously I'm here to perform," Son said. "But also I want to give some advice to the young players for improvement."

LAFC currently sits sixth in the Western Conference, 10 points behind San Diego FC but with games in hand. The club remains positioned for playoff qualification and potential MLS Cup contention in their eight-year history.

Son Heung-Min is expected to sign with LAFC this week on a fee of approximately $26 million, which would break the mark of $22 million Atlanta United spent last winter to sign Emmanuel Latte Lath.

Son played in his final match for Spurs in Seoul on Sunday. 

ESPN reported in June 2023 that Son attracted a lucrative offer from Saudi Arabian side Al Ittihad, although he opted to remain at the club then. 

Son is set to join an LAFC side that currently sits in sixth place in MLS's Western Conference.

Son Heung-min announced on Saturday that he will be leaving Tottenham Hotspur. Son has been linked with LAFC.

"It was one of the toughest decisions I ever made. But I think it's the right time to make this decision. I hope that everybody understands my decision and that everyone respects that," the South Korea star said.

"I came to North London as a kid, 23 years old, very young age, a young boy came to London who even didn't speak English and leaving this club as a grown man is a very, very proud moment."

Son was asked in Korean on his future playing plans, and he replied: 'I don't think I have an answer yet."

Son's final appearance for Spurs could occur on Sunday in a friendly against Newcastle in Seoul. 

LAFC have expressed interest in signing Tottenham forward Son Heung-Min, with the MLS club prepared to act if the 33-year-old becomes available this summer, according to sources.

Son's future at Spurs remains uncertain despite Tottenham triggering a one-year contract extension through 2026 in January. The club opted to extend his existing deal rather than negotiate fresh terms with their longtime captain.

New Tottenham manager Thomas Frank praised Son's decade-long contribution but declined to confirm he will retain the captain's armband. Frank acknowledged the complexity of Son's situation given his lengthy service to the club.

LAFC sources indicate the club is willing to move quickly if Son expresses desire to leave Spurs. The MLS side has made their interest clear and believes Tottenham would be open to his departure.

Tottenham's preseason tour to Hong Kong and Seoul may influence the timing of any potential move. Son's extraordinary popularity in the region makes him a key figure for the club's commercial activities in Asia.

The club's final game in Seoul is scheduled for August 3 before returning to Europe ahead of the Premier League season. Talks are expected to clarify Son's position following the tour.

Son became only the seventh player to reach 450 appearances for Tottenham, contributing 198 Premier League goals and assists since joining from Bayer Leverkusen for $29.8 million in 2015. He recently lifted his first trophy with the club following Tottenham's Europa League final victory over Manchester United.

"Right now I have a player that is fully committed and training well and will play tomorrow. If a player has been at a club a long time, then there will always be a decision for the club to take," Frank said when asked about Son's future.
Saudi Arabian side Al Ittihad previously made a lucrative offer for Son in June 2023, though he chose to remain at Tottenham.