As we all learned in the movie "Jerry Maguire" you have to show people the money. Well, Orlando City definitely just showed Brazilian star Kaká the money.
Kaká will be paid a base salary of $6.66 million and an annual guaranteed compensation of $7.17 million to become the highest paid player in MLS history, the Orlando Sentinel reports.
David Beckham's first MLS deal in 2007 for five years and $250 million was the previous record holder.
Kaká now makes more than fellow MLS stars Clint Dempsey ($6.7 million), Michael Bradley ($6.5 million), Jermain Defoe ($6.18 million) and Landon Donovan ($4.58 million).
"While we don't discuss the figures released by the league today, they clearly demonstrate our commitment to being competitive in MLS form from the very start," a spokesman for Orlando City said in a release.
Despite Kaká's record-breaking deal, his salary still pales in comparison to the highest paid athletes in the NFL, NBA, MLB and NHL. Nashville Predators defenseman Shea Weber will be paid $14 million for the upcoming NHL season, Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers will make $22 million this year, Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant will earn $23.5 million and Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard will pocket $25.7 million.
