Ranking: NBA overtakes EPL, La-Liga, becomes world highest paid league

The NBA is the highest paid sports league with the Premier League down in fourth while the Indian Super League and Major League Baseball are sandwiched in between.

Manchester United are the only Premier League club among the top 10 of the highest paid sides in the world while there are six NBA representatives, according to new findings revealed by Sporting Intelligence.

As reported by Sportsmail on Sunday, Barcelona are the highest paid team with their players now earning over £10million a year.

Rivals Real Madrid are second but then the NBA dominates the shortlist with Oklahoma City Thunder leading the way ahead of serial championship winners Golden State Warriors.

Washington Wizards, Toronto Raptors, Houston Rockets and Miami Heat are all in the top 10 with Juventus in ninth above Manchester United.

NBA players earn £5,905,912, on average per year, while Premier League stars earn £3,953,197.

Despite the difference, the NBA have more of a level playing field due to the league’s salary cap which was introduced during its first year in 1946.

The salary cap for this season is close to £80m per franchise with the increasing TV deals allowing clubs to strengthen their respective rosters.

It means the ratio between the highest paid and lowest paid teams is only 1.98 to 1 as the salary cap means one specific club cannot attract all of the league’s top stars.

The NBA is the highest paid league in the world ahead of the ISL, MLB and Premier League

LeBron leads teamates in celebration

While Oklahoma City Thunder are paying their players £7,848,811 on average this season the lowest paid team — Atlanta Hawks — are paying their side £3,969,785.

The NBA even has a rule which makes teams fork out at least 90 per cent of the salary cap or risk facing a violation.

Last season both the Chicago Bulls and Dallas Mavericks were under the salary cap so the shortfall was divided out to their players.

The Premier League, on the other hand, is a division which is clearly lacking parity.

Cardiff, who were promoted to the top-flight this season, are paying their stars an average salary of £957,471 while Manchester United are paying a staggering £6,534,654.

The fact there is no promotion or relegation in the NBA clearly brings the teams closer together while teams promoted to the Premier League have to somehow compete with the big boys.

Oklahoma City Thunder lead the way in the NBA with champions Golden State Warriors behind

Manchester United are paying out more than their rivals despite their recent struggles

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