Mauricio Pochettino's introductory contract at US Soccer came with a $2.5 million signing bonus on top of a $2.5 million salary — totalling $5,016,917 in his first seven months on the job. That figure comes straight from the USSF's tax filing for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2025.
To put it in context: Gregg Berhalter, the man Pochettino replaced after a dismal Copa America exit, earned $1,774,981 in the same fiscal year — which included his salary, a bonus, and $750,833 in severance. Pochettino made nearly three times that. Whether the Argentine can justify that gap by the time the 2026 World Cup kicks off on home soil is the only question that matters now.
The full USSF pay picture
Emma Hayes, leading the women's team to a fifth Olympic gold medal last summer, earned $1,469,557 — a figure that looks modest next to Pochettino's package but reflects a bonus-heavy structure: $744,557 in salary, a $700,000 bonus, and $25,000 in other compensation.
Several USWNT players appeared among the federation's highest-paid employees, which is notable in itself. Emily Sonnett, Emily Fox, and Naomi Girma were each listed at $852,112 in salary, with Lindsey Heaps at $849,461 and Casey Murphy at $822,032 — each also collecting a $36,000 bonus off the back of that Olympic title run.
On the administrative side, CEO JT Batson took home $898,787 and sporting director Matt Crocker $990,792 — the latter including a $152,905 relocation payment.
Revenue up, expenses up
The USSF reported revenue of $268.05 million for the fiscal year, a sharp jump from $196.8 million the prior year. Expenses climbed in lockstep — from $190.9 million to $260.1 million — with the federation shelling out $13.4 million to law firm Latham & Watkins alone, plus $2.88 million to Soccer United Marketing and $2.125 million to Brazilian soccer's governing body as an international event coordinator.
The 2026 World Cup is coming to North America, and US Soccer is spending like it knows the spotlight is on. Pochettino's $5 million entry fee is the headline — but the organisation as a whole is betting heavily that the next 14 months deliver something worth the invoice.
