• Loading stock data...
Wednesday, October 29, 2025
Want a chance to win $250 and free FOS gear? Take our quick reader survey. Take the survey here

Dodgers Flex Power With $100M Donation, Record Player Spending

The defending World Series champions are MLB’s most economically powerful club, seen again this week in differing ways. 

Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

The accelerating financial might of the Dodgers is once again on full display, for good and potentially bad. 

The charitable foundation of the defending World Series champion, along with owner Mark Walter’s family foundation, co-owner Magic Johnson, and LA28 Olympics chair Casey Wasserman, announced this week a collective $100 million donation for relief from the devastating wildfires in Southern California. The sum, a seed funding designed to “jump-start” other giving, far surpasses a prior, $8 million collective donation for wildfire relief involving all of the Los Angeles–area pro teams, including the Dodgers. 

“This process and this journey we’re about to start with LA Rises is not about the next month or the next year,” Wasserman said of the new philanthropic effort. “This is about what L.A. is going to be like for the next 50 or 100 years.”

Spending Issues

Meanwhile, the Dodgers’ highly aggressive spending this offseason is raising more worries among other MLB clubs—even those also among the sport’s fiscal behemoths. The Dodgers’ moves this season include acquiring pitchers Blake Snell and Roki Sasaki, retaining star outfielder Teoscar Hernández, and most recently adding relievers Tanner Scott and Kirby Yates. 

As a result, the Dodgers’ luxury-tax payroll for 2025 currently stands at $382.6 million—more than $80 million beyond any other team and more than six times the comparable figure for the Marlins. 

Such a situation is rather troubling, said Yankees managing general partner Hal Steinbrenner.

“It’s difficult for most of us owners to be able to do the kind of things that they’re doing,” Steinbrenner said on the YES Network. “Now, we’ll see if it pays off. They still have to have a season relatively injury-free for it to work out for them, and it’s a long season, as you know, and once you get to the postseason, anything can happen.”

Still, Steinbrenner insisted the Yankees are better than they were at this point in 2024, even with the recent loss of free agent Juan Soto, thanks to an aggressive reshaping of the club.

“Some people may disagree with me—but some people will agree with me—I think we have a better team right now than we did a year ago today,” he said. 

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

World Series Games 1–2 TV Ratings Are Up With U.S., Canada Combined

U.S. viewership is expectedly down, but it is boosted significantly by Canada.

Shohei Ohtani’s Historic World Series Game 3 Sets Up High-Stakes Game 4

Ohtani will start Game 4 on the mound after another epic performance Monday.
Oct 26, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; The 2025 World Series logo on the field at Dodger Stadium.

Dodger Stadium Games Could Push MLB Payouts to Record Highs

The Dodgers’ big ballpark and ticket prices help fuel postseason player pay.
Oct 24, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays center fielder Daulton Varsho (5) celebrates after hitting a two run home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the fourth inning during game one of the 2025 MLB World Series at Rogers Centre.

World Series Games Set Ratings Records on Canada’s Sportsnet

Canada continues to watch MLB broadcasts at historic levels.

Featured Today

September 21, 2025; Santa Clara, California, USA; NFL commissioner Roger Goodell before the game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Arizona Cardinals at Levi's Stadium

NFL Fall Meeting: 7 Big Topics Among Team Owners 

Media, facilities, and labor highlight some of the key areas of concern.
Ohio State Buckeyes running back Isaiah West (32) runs the ball in the second half at Camp Randall Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025 in Madison, Wisconsin
October 25, 2025

NIL Has Birthed a Third-Party Cottage Industry—and It’s a Mess

There’s no limit to how much players can make from NIL deals.
Christie's
October 21, 2025

Lou Gehrig’s $4M Jersey and the Exploding Sports Memorabilia Market

An ultra-rare sports collection is about to hit the auction block.
@chef__tezz/Instagram
October 19, 2025

Inside the NFL’s Private Chef Network

Private chefs are the unsung architects of player performance.

WNBA Proposes 30-Day Extension on CBA Negotiations

The CBA expires Oct. 31; a deal is not expected by then.
Napheesa Collier
October 28, 2025

WNBA, Players Remain Far Apart With CBA Deadline Days Away 

A union lawyer says a deal will not be reached by Friday.
Oct 24, 2025; Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA; Inter Miami CF forward Lionel Messi (10) looks on against Nashville SC during the first half at Chase Stadium.
October 28, 2025

Lionel Messi: MLS Can’t Grow Without More Spending Power

The Inter Miami star recently signed a contract extension through 2028.
Sponsored

Why Alexis Ohanian Is Betting Big on Women’s Sports

Alexis Ohanian reflects on his evolution from Reddit cofounder to one of today’s most dynamic sports investors.
Alexis Ohanian
October 28, 2025

Alexis Ohanian: Angel City Ownership Setup Was a ‘Terrible Idea’

He admits that the NWSL club’s governance was a disaster.
Capitals
October 27, 2025

Capitals Fire Assistant Coach After Domestic Abuse Investigation

Assault and abuse cases are defining the start of the NHL season.
October 26, 2025

Lamar Jackson’s Practice Status Flip Sparks NFL Investigation

Baltimore could be disciplined for not properly disclosing Lamar Jackson’s status.
Rob Manfred
October 25, 2025

Canada Could Get MLB Expansion Team, Manfred Says

The league has noted fast-rising fan interest north of the border.