See how much Nashville SC players, including Sam Surridge, will make in 2026
Nashville SC has two of the 10 highest-paid players in MLS in Sam Surridge and Hany Mukhtar, and its total payroll ranks eighth in the league.
Nashville SC forward Sam Surridge is the club's highest-paid player and seventh-highest paid player in MLS after signing a contract extension this offseason, according to the Major League Soccer Players Association's 2026 spring salary guide . The MLSPA released the salary guide on on May 12, containing salary information for all players under contract as of April 16. Nashville SC has the eighth-highest payroll in MLS for the second straight season, according to the guide.
Its roster will combine to earn $19,583,108 in base salary and $22,989,086 in guaranteed compensation, which includes all signing and guaranteed bonuses annualized over the player's contract. Surridge, who finished fifth in MVP voting last season, has a base salary of $5,280,000 this season, which represents a raise of over $2 million. He's slated to earn $5,933,000 in guaranteed money.
After scoring 31 goals across all competitions in 2025, Surridge has a team-high 10 in 2026 despite missing several games due to injury. Forward Hany Mukhtar is the ninth-highest paid player in MLS, set to earn $4 million in base pay and $5,411,667 including bonuses. Forward Cristian Espinoza , who was signed in free agency from the San Jose Earthquakes, will make $1,958,333 in base pay in his first season with Nashville.
Surridge, Mukhtar and Espinoza are Nashville's three designated players, who are able to earn a higher salary than the rest of the roster. How much will Nashville SC players make in 2026? After Surridge, Mukhtar and Espinoza, Nashville's next-highest paid players in base pay are defender Jack Maher ($900,000), midfielder Eddi Tagseth ($720,000) and defender Jeisson Palacios ($700,000).