Atlanta Braves Financial Statements Show Team Could Spend More

The Atlanta Braves finished the 2025 season with a disappointing 76-86 record, marking their first losing season since 2017 and ending a seven-year playoff streak.

This rough year came despite the team having money to spend, according to their publicly available financial statements.

The numbers show a franchise making solid profits while still choosing to keep payroll well below what they could afford.

Daniel Meyer on X recently broke down the Braves' finances, and the numbers tell an interesting story for fans wondering why the team doesn't spend more.

According to Meyer, the Braves made $46 million in profit last year on $600 million in baseball revenue and currently have $150 million in cash reserves sitting in the bank.

The team is also making huge profits from The Battery, the mixed-use development around Truist Park, with only about 15% going to expenses.

This serves as a reminder that the business of baseball goes far beyond what happens between the lines.

These figures show that teams like the Braves, who rank in the top half of baseball revenues, could probably spend more than they currently do.

The franchise has the financial flexibility to add payroll, but ownership has opted to stay conservative in recent years rather than push toward elite spending levels.

While the Braves could spend more money, Meyer also points out an important reality that fans need to understand.

Atlanta could not spend anywhere near the levels of the Los Angeles Dodgers, who are projected to spend roughly $300 million more than the Braves on payroll and luxury taxes alone.

The Dodgers' competitive balance tax payroll hit a record $417 million in 2025, resulting in a luxury tax bill of over $169 million, which is larger than the entire payrolls of 12 MLB teams.

The Braves operated with a payroll around $217 million last season, good for ninth in baseball according to Spotrac.

That's a respectable number, but it means Atlanta is competing against a team willing to outspend them by hundreds of millions of dollars every year.

Even if the Braves maxed out their spending, they would still be at a major disadvantage compared to what the Dodgers are doing.

Braves chairman Terry McGuirk has stated the team wants to crack the top five in total payroll, and the front office has already started making moves by signing closer Robert Suarez and bringing back Raisel Iglesias.

With superstar Ronald Acuña Jr. expected to be healthier and the rotation getting reinforcements, Atlanta has the pieces to bounce back.

The financial statements prove the Braves have money to improve the roster, but whether they actually choose to spend it remains the real question heading into the new season.