The New York Yankees are flexing their financial muscle this season by spending more than $260 million on player salaries — the second-highest figure in the majors.
At the same time, they’re keeping a close eye on much smaller line-items in the budget. According to a report in Sports Illustrated, the Yankees are one of the few MLB teams that don’t provide free in-flight Wi-Fi to players on road trips.
To be fair, Delta Airlines is actually charging the players — approximately $9 per flight — but unlike most teams, the Yankees don’t cover the cost. Sports Illustrated’s research determined the Cincinnati Reds were the only other team that regularly made its players pay for an internet connection while flying.
According to the report, an in-flight Wi-Fi plan for an MLB team costs about $40,000 per year.
“It’s your fault,” SI quoted former Yankees outfielder Brett Gardner telling ace pitcher Gerrit Cole. “Your contract is too big.”
Cole’s $36 million salary in 2023 is second on the team to only AL MVP Aaron Judge’s $40 million.
Judge, on the other hand, is able to get around the charges because he’s a spokesperson for T-Mobile, which provides free wifi on Delta flights.
“I’ve got T-Mobile, so I don’t have to worry about it,” he said.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Report: Yankees don’t cover cost of in-flight Wi-Fi on road trips