In pro sports, many financial decisions are based on hope for the future—the signings of John Wall to the Wizards and Bryce Harper to the Nationals, for example—and others are efforts to maintain excellence, as in the Capitals’ signing Alex Ovechkin to a 13-year contract extension. The value of these investments is unpredictable—struggling pitcher Jason Marquis earned $7.5 million this year while Redskins tight-end wunderkind Chris Cooley made only $720,000. Either way, elite athletes command elite salaries, and everyone has two goals: win and get paid.

REDSKINS

Andre Carter, $4.5 million.

Chris Cooley, $720,000.

Phillip Daniels, $900,720.

Derrick Dockery, $3.2 million.

London Fletcher, $2.3 million.

Kedric Golston, $1.6 million.

DeAngelo Hall, $6.5 million.

Albert Haynesworth, $11 million.

Jeremy Jarmon, $949,236.

LaRon Landry, $6.1 million.

Donovan McNabb, $11.2 million.

Kareem Moore, $392,280.

Santana Moss, $7 million.

Brian Orakpo, $4.4 million.

Clinton Portis, $1.3 million.

Casey Rabach, $2.8 million.

Mike Sellers, $1.4 million.

Devin Thomas, $1.4 million.

Mike Shanahan, head coach, $7 million.

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