st as high in 1990 approximating $342 million (Zimbalist 49). The distribution of local broadcast revenues, however, was highly skewed, with the New York Yankees receiving the most with nearly $56 million and the Seattle Mariners receiving the least with $3 million (Zimbalist 49).
In 1993, national television revenues accounted for 25.8 percent of total revenues for major league baseball, while local broadcast revenues accounted 24.2 percent of total revenues. Gate receipts accounted for one third of total revenues in major league baseball, while statium revenues (concession sales, luxury suite sales, and so forth) contributed 12 percent of total revenues, and licensing accounted for five percent of revenues.
Player salaries in major league baseball have "exploded" since 1990 (Saudohar 32). From 1971 through 1991, salaries increased some 2,000 percent (Alster 138). One in three major league baseball players receives a salary of at least $1 million per year (Alster 138). The mean player salary in major league baseball in 1991 was in excess of $851,000 (Zimbalist 85). Player salaries account for well in excess of 40 percent of total revenues in major league baseball Player payroll growth has exploded in major league baseball since 1990. A comparison of 1993 and 1990 player payrolls in major league baseball is presented in Table 1, which may be found beginning below on this page.
Player Payrolls 1993 Compared With 1990
Major League Baseball By Team ($ = millions)
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Team 1993 1992 % Change
Cincinnati 44.3 15.8 + 180.4
Toronto 41.9 18.2 + 130.2
Yankees 41.2 20.6 ...