Dave Roberts tops MLB managers with new contract, barely cracks top 50 in sports
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Detroit Tigers visited by Major League Baseball Players Association
Major League Baseball Players Association executive director Tony Clark talks to reporters March 5, 2025, about several topics in Lakeland, Florida.
Fresh off his second World Series title, Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts signed an extension with the organization worth $32.4 million over the next four years. That's an average annual value (AAV) of $8.1 million, pushing Roberts past Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell – five years, $40 million ($8 million AAV) – for the highest-paid manager in MLB.
This was not an unexpected deal. Roberts was heading into the final year of his contract, and with talks of the extension heating up in recent weeks, it was only a matter of time before the two parties came to an agreement. USA TODAY's Bob Nightengale noted, "Roberts was in the final year of his three-year contract extension that paid him $4 million this season and now doubles his contract, making him the highest-paid manager on an annual average value basis."
Still, despite the massive payday, Roberts is not one of the wealthiest managers/coaches in sports, which is surprising considering Roberts and Counsell earn significantly more than the third-highest-paid manager in MLB, Arizona's Torey Lovullo ($5 million).
Despite MLB being one of the largest professional sports organizations in the world, the wealthiest manager in the league's salary would barely make a dent compared with some of the larger contracts. Here's where Roberts ranks among coaches across major sports:
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Where does Roberts rank among American coaches/managers?
Among American head coaches, Roberts boasts the 44th-largest salary, according to Sportico, with several NFL, NBA, college football and college basketball coaches ahead of him.
Highest paid managers in sports
NFL
Andy Reid (Kansas City) - $20 million
NBA
Steve Kerr (Golden State) - $17.5 million
College football
Kirby Smart (Georgia) - $13 million
College basketball
Bill Self (Kansas) - $10.6 million
MLS
Phil Neville (Portland Timbers) - $1 million
NHL
Mike Sullivan (Pittsburgh) - $5.5 million
Is Roberts worth that much?
Roberts is one of the best managers in MLB. His .627 regular season winning percentage as with the Dodgers (he also had one game as San Diego Padres manager) is the best among active managers. Including the playoffs, Roberts' winning percentage is .618, which is sixth best all-time among qualified managers. In fact, there isn't a single manager who has coached since 1950 with a better winning percentage.
Shockingly though, Roberts' incredible knack for winning games has earned him only one Manager of the Year Award. Roberts earned the hardware in 2016 after leading the Dodgers to a 91-71 record in his first year on the job.
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