NEW YORK — Hal Steinbrenner met with reporters on Monday for the first time since February and addressed payroll concerns that quickly stirred backlash across baseball. The New York Yankees owner confirmed the team’s 2025 payroll reached $319 million. Then he made comments that sparked intense public reaction.
“Would it be ideal if it went down? Of course,” Steinbrenner said when asked about future payroll plans. The statement drew immediate scrutiny.
Reporters also questioned whether the Yankees were making a profit given their estimated $700 million in yearly revenue. Steinbrenner disputed the revenue narrative.
“That’s not a fair statement or an accurate statement,” Steinbrenner said. “Everybody wants to talk about revenues. They need to talk about our expenses, including the 100 million dollar expense to the city of New York that we have to pay every Feb. 1, including the COVID year. It all starts to add up in a hurry.”
Sports radio legend Mike Francesa did not hold back in his response. His reaction to Steinbrenner’s remarks hit hard and spread fast.
What set Francesa off
Francesa unleashed a ten minute segment on his podcast this week that targeted Steinbrenner and the direction of the Yankees. The longtime host delivered his criticism with sharp focus. Fans shared the clip widely.
He accused Steinbrenner of downplaying the organization’s financial position. He said the Yankees were being overshadowed by the Los Angeles Dodgers. Then he delivered the line fans repeated throughout the day.
“The Dodgers have made the Yankees look like an A-ball outfit,” Francesa said on The Mike Francesa Podcast.
‘Pleading poverty’ with the Yankees
Francesa attacked Steinbrenner’s financial explanation with force.
“What was Hal thinking?” Francesa said. “I am shocked. He always gets questions about the payroll. I’m even surprised he would say that he would like the payroll to be lower, because that sends off bells and whistles.”
He pushed back against the idea that the Yankees could be anything other than highly profitable.
“The idea that the Yankees don’t make money; I’m surprised he could actually say it with a straight face,” Francesa said. “I mean, you’re going to plead poverty? Listen, you can plead a lot of things with the New York Yankees. Poverty can’t be one of them. It cannot.”
Francesa reminded listeners of the franchise’s massive growth. George Steinbrenner bought the team in 1973 for about $9 million. Today the Yankees are valued between $8 billion and $9 billion, according to Forbes and Sportico estimates updated through 2025.
“Their logo is one of the most important brands in the world, and recognizable brands in the world,” Francesa said. “The idea that they aren’t tripping over the money they make is an absolute joke. And people will line up to bid for this franchise. Line up. And it could go to 10 billion dollars.”
The Dodgers comparison burns
The Dodgers became Francesa’s next target. He used Los Angeles to highlight what he sees as the gap between the two powerhouse teams.
The Dodgers have won two straight World Series titles. Their 2025 payroll reached an estimated 415 million dollars. They operate with high spending and high expectations.
The Yankees ranked third in Competitive Balance Tax payroll behind the Dodgers and the Mets. Their championship drought has lasted 16 seasons.
“Now, you don’t want to play the game on the Dodgers’ level? Fine,” Francesa said. “The Dodgers have made the Yankees look like an A-ball outfit. That’s what’s really bad, is they have allowed, and George never would’ve allowed this, they have allowed the Dodgers to take what the Yankees used to do.”
He described the earlier Yankees mindset in simple terms. “We are bigger. We are better. We spend more. We shop at Tiffany’s. We buy the best. We are the best. And we win.”
“They don’t act that way anymore,” Francesa said.
Settling for playoff appearances
Francesa accused Yankees ownership of settling for financial success rather than focusing on championships.
“Now, they’re satisfied when they make the playoffs,” he said. “Why are they satisfied? Because their stadium is full. And their signage is up. And the sponsors are buying the signage. And the luxury boxes are rented. That’s how they judge the season.”
He listed the prices fans pay at Yankee Stadium for parking, food, and merchandise. He said the Yankees charge premium prices at every level.
“And you see Yankee caps in every color under the rainbow, and you see Yankee merchandise all over the world,” he said. “Go into any airport in the world, and you’ll see a Yankee cap. Anywhere. It’s hard to plead poverty when you’re the New York Yankees. Very, very hard.”
The books will never open
Francesa challenged Steinbrenner to back up his financial claims. He said he knew it would not happen.
“Let’s be honest, Hal opened up Pandora’s box,” Francesa said. “Owners would rather jump out of a building than let anybody audit their books. They will never let ANYBODY near their books.”
He then offered a sarcastic solution. “I’ll tell you what we’ll do. We’ll prove it once and for all. We’ll just open the books up and bring in an independent auditor.”
He laughed before adding, “Donkeys will fly before that ever happens. Donkeys will fly before anybody ever sees those books. Take that to the bank. Take it to the bank. And the bank is someplace that the Yankees and their partners visit often.”
Fans want rings, not harmony
Francesa saved one of his strongest points for the end. He reacted to Steinbrenner praising the chemistry of the 2025 roster.
“When Hal was asked about the team, he said, ‘I like that they all got along last year,'” Francesa said. “Well, that’s great. Go back to ’78 when they couldn’t stand each other, but they beat the hell out of everybody else. Yankees fans would rather have that. They don’t care if they get along. They want rings.”
Fans echoed the same message on social media. One championship in 25 years is not enough for a franchise like the Yankees. The team’s history, revenue, and expectations make anything less feel unacceptable.
Francesa closed with a pointed comment on the organization’s approach to internal decisions.
“It’s almost like the Yankees have become this place where they don’t make changes because everybody knows where the bodies are buried,” he said. “Well, I know one thing. Everyone knows where the money is kept.”
What do you think? Leave your comment below.
