• Loading stock data...
Sunday, October 26, 2025
Want a chance to win $250 and free FOS gear? Take our quick reader survey. Take the survey here

Money Talks, Dodgers Win: L.A.’s Historic Start Fuels Payroll Debate

The Dodgers entered the 2025 regular season as a heavy favorite, and they’re quickly backing up those expectations, on and off the field. 

Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

It didn’t take long for the defending World Series champion Dodgers to make more history, and the complaints about the club’s outsized might are quickly resurfacing.

The Dodgers’ 3–1 win Tuesday night over the Braves pushed their record to a perfect 7–0, matching the 1933 Yankees for the best start by a club in its World Series defense. Los Angeles is still six wins from equaling the best season start in MLB history, shared by three clubs, but armed with a luxury-tax payroll now at $399 million that is similarly unprecedented, few limits are apparent for the franchise. 

“Still on the table,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts joked about the prospect of an undefeated, 162–0 season. “I’ve still got the under.”

The five straight wins for Los Angeles in the U.S. add to a pair of victories last month over the Cubs in the MLB Tokyo Series

Scrutiny over the Dodgers’ spending and aggressive talent acquisition dominated much of MLB’s offseason. Now, nearly a week into the full cadence of the 2025 season, Los Angeles continues to be a focus of attention—including among other MLB owners. 

“Are their baseball people and their owners smarter than all the others? I don’t think so,” Diamondbacks owner Ken Kendrick said recently. Arizona’s luxury-tax payroll of $216 million ranks 11th in MLB. “The regular season is not necessarily an even playing field, and I think it should be—more even than it is. I believe in those who are brighter than the next guy being more successful than the next guy. But when you see one team with a payroll that is five times their competitor, the chances over time of that team at five times over the less financially supported team, they’re going to win.”

The disparity has already led betting odds and analytics experts to heavily favor the Dodgers to repeat as champions this year.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Rob Manfred

Canada Could Get MLB Expansion Team, Manfred Says

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

MLB Union Chief on Alert As NBA Gambling Scandal Unfolds

The union leader addresses labor and gambling-related concerns.
Oct 23, 2025; Toronto, ON, Canada; Signage in place on the dug out before game one of the World Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre.

World Series Viewership Will Be Different This Year

The Canadian presence in the World Series creates a unique viewership situation.
Oct 18, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani (17) holds the MVP trophy after defeating the Milwaukee Brewers in game five of the NLCS during the 2025 MLB playoffs at Dodger Stadium.

World Series Will Be First to Showcase Ohtani’s Two-Way Skills

The two-way superstar is slated to pitch in the World Series.

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.
Fred Warner

Most of the 49ers’ Record Cap Number Isn’t on the Field

The 49ers are winning despite ranking 31st on spending on active players.
October 18, 2025

Financial Behemoth Dodgers Win NL Pennant, Eye History

The biggest spenders would be MLB’s first repeat champion in 25 years.
Tom Dundon
exclusive
October 22, 2025

Sale of Trail Blazers to Tom Dundon Will Take Multiple Years to..

Dundon is buying the team at a $4.25 billion valuation.
Sponsored

How HOKA is Reimagining the NIL Relationship

Fans can now follow their favorite golfers and experience every marquee moment at the Ryder Cup — thanks to innovation from T-Mobile.
October 16, 2025

For Yankees, It May Be ‘Business As Usual,’ but Title Drought Lingers

GM Brian Cashman says a salary cap is not at the forefront of his mind.
Jun 15, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Mercedes driver George Russell (63) and Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli (12) celebrate their first and third place at the F1 Canadian Grand Prix at Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve.
October 15, 2025

Mercedes F1 Team Rides With Russell, Antonelli Despite Verstappen Link

Russell took the Formula One seat at Mercedes in 2021.
October 13, 2025

RAJ Sports Withdraws Lawsuit Over Trail Blazers Stake

RAJ Sports had sued the Cherng family, owner of Panda Express.
October 13, 2025

Titans Turnover: Brian Callahan Firing Adds to Pattern of Instability

Tennessee fired coach Brian Callahan six games into his second season.