7. Los Angeles Dodgers (MLB)
$1.62 billion
The Dodgers are close to finalizing a 25-year deal with Time Warner Cable worth as much as $8.5 billion. The deal would kick off next season. The Dodgers opening day payroll in 2012 was $105 million, but this year's is over $200 million thanks to a flurry of trades, contract extensions and free agent signings.