The Bang For Your Pro Sports Payroll Buck | 2011

You haven’t asked yourself this?

Neither have I but the fine folks at ESPN’s Page 2 did and the series has been a fun little read.  Basically it examines teams similarly to the way the financial types would assess corporations and businesses.  Which franchise is getting a solid return on simply its payroll investment?

So without further ado, here's a synopsis.



NFL
In the NFL, the Cowboys were, unsurprisingly, near the bottom. Dallas ranked 24th out of the 32 teams. 
2010 payroll:        $130.86 million
Wins in 2010:       6 wins
Cost per win:        $21.81 million

The author also notes that "WR Roy Williams earned $3.45M in base salary but was less productive than rookie Dez Bryant ($320K base salary)."

The Falcons were first, Steelers and Packers were third and 16th, respectively, with the Panthers bringing up the rear.

NBA
For the NBA rankings, Page 2 took teams' win-loss records on January 17th and prorated them for an entire 82-game season.

The Mavericks ranked 13th out of the league's 30 teams.
2010-2011 payroll:     $84.32 million
Projected win total:     53 wins           
Cost per win:              $1.59 million

Guess who's number one?  The big, bad Spurs.  Their first place ranking has more to do with their projected  success this season than overall payroll.
2010-2011 payroll:    $68.36 million
Projected win total:    70 wins
Cost per win:              $976,613 per win

MLB
The Rangers fared well in the MLB rankings, ranking third overall behind the Padres and Pirates.
2010 payroll:            $55.25 million
Wins in 2011:            90 wins
Cost per win:             $614,000 per win

Who was the Rangers best bargain last season?  12-game winner Colby Lewis who posted a 3.72 ERA and only cost Texas $1.75 million.

Interestingly, the Yankees were last on the list because of their inflated payroll.
2010 payroll:              $206.33 million
Wins in 2010:             95 wins
Cost per win:              $2.17 million per win

The World Series champion Giants ranked 17th.

NHL
And last, but certainly not least, guess which NHL team is currently the best deal in the league?  Your Dallas Stars.  Again, these numbers are prorated through the rest of the season but based on what the Stars have done through January 17th, they're a bargain!  Tell that to the potential buyer.
2010-2011 payroll:      $47.26 million
Projected win total:      109 points
Cost per win:               $434,000 per win

Who are the bargain buys? "Loui Eriksson ($3.2 million), Jamie Benn ($635,000) and James Neal ($2.25 million) all provide bang for the buck, tallying 109 combined points."

So, there you go.  Dinner party fodder for the next 12 months.