The Hamilton Tiger-Cats operate under the CFL’s $6.065 million salary cap for 2025, featuring quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell earning over $500,000 annually and receiver Kenny Lawler commanding $287,200 as the league’s highest-paid non-quarterback.
Hamilton spent aggressively in 2025 free agency signing Lawler with a $125,000 signing bonus and extending offensive lineman Liam Dobson at $210,000 as the organization pursues its first Grey Cup championship since 1999.
Head coach Scott Milanovich led the Ticats to 11-7 record and East Division title before losing 19-16 in the East Final to Montreal, extending the CFL’s longest active championship drought to 26 years.
The team operates with estimated $44.7 million annual revenue, allowing premium spending on veteran leadership.
Know more about the Hamilton Tiger-Cats players biography and net worth by clicking on their name.
| Quarterbacks (QB) | Running Backs (RB) | Wide Receivers (WR) |
| Bo Levi Mitchell | Greg Bell | Kenny Lawler |
| Taylor Powell | Johnny Augustine | Tim White |
| Harrison Frost | Ante Milanovic-Litre | Shemar Bridges |
| Brendan O’Leary-Orange | ||
| Jevoni Robinson | ||
| Kiondre Smith | ||
| Tyler Ternowski |
Estimated Top 5 Highest-Paid Hamilton Tiger-Cats Players
| Rank | Player | Position | Est. Salary (CAD) | Contract Type | Notes |
| 1 | Bo Levi Mitchell | Quarterback | $500,000+ | Through 2025 | 2x Grey Cup champion, 2x MOP |
| 2 | Kenny Lawler | Receiver | $287,200 | Multi-year | CFL’s highest-paid non-QB, $125K bonus |
| 3 | Tim White | Receiver | $224,800 | Through 2025 | 3x 1,000-yard seasons, $55K camp bonus |
| 4 | Liam Dobson | Offensive Line | $210,000 | Through 2026 | All-West 2024, $35K signing bonus |
| 5 | Brandon Revenberg | Offensive Line | $180,000 | Multi-year | 5x All-CFL, veteran anchor |
Kenny Lawler’s $287,200 total compensation makes him the CFL’s highest-paid position player outside quarterback, surpassing all running backs, defensive linemen, and linebackers across nine teams.
His base salary of $110,000 combines with massive $125,000 signing bonus, $25,000 marketing money, $14,700 housing allowance, and $2,500 travel stipend. Lawler can earn additional $10,000 through performance incentives for 1,000-yard seasons and playoff roster bonuses, pushing maximum compensation to $303,000.
Tim White ranks 5th among CFL receivers at $224,800 after demanding $300,000 annually following back-to-back All-CFL seasons. He settled for restructured deal including $55,000 training camp reporting bonus, $20,000 marketing money, and $13,800 housing allowance, earning $250,100 maximum with incentives.
Hamilton’s receiver duo of Lawler and White combining for $512,000 annual salaries represents CFL’s most expensive pass-catching investment.
Hamilton Tiger-Cats Coaching Staff & Management
Scott Milanovich serves as head coach earning estimated $275,000-350,000 CAD annually after promotion from offensive coordinator in December 2023.
The 52-year-old Butler, Pennsylvania native previously won Grey Cup as Toronto head coach in 2012, bringing championship experience to Hamilton’s 26-year title drought.
Milanovich handles play-calling duties while remaining open to adding general manager responsibilities in future, though current focus remains coaching after 11-7 debut season.
General manager duties fall to Teddy Laurent after previous GM Shawn Burke departed, though exact front office salary structure remains undisclosed.
Hamilton maintains separate head coach and GM roles unlike Calgary’s Dave Dickenson dual-position model, requiring additional $150,000-200,000 annual executive compensation.
Assistant coach salaries range $85,000-125,000 CAD annually, with offensive and defensive coordinators earning upper range while position coaches receive $75,000-95,000.
Total coaching staff budget estimated at $1.4-1.7 million represents upper-middle CFL spending, trailing only Toronto ($1.8M estimated) and Saskatchewan ($1.5M) among East Division teams.
How CFL Salaries Work at Hamilton Tiger-Cats
The CFL’s $6.065 million hard salary cap for 2025 increased $412,365 from 2024 driven by record attendance growth and gameday revenue.
Hamilton allocates approximately 8-9% of cap space to Bo Levi Mitchell’s quarterback position at $500,000+, slightly below elite QB spending by Toronto (Chad Kelly $615,000) and BC (Nathan Rourke $624,200) but maintaining competitive veteran starter.
Hamilton’s 2025 Offensive Investment Strategy:
- Bo Levi Mitchell (QB): $500,000+ – Veteran two-time Grey Cup champion
- Kenny Lawler (WR): $287,200 – League’s highest-paid non-QB
- Tim White (WR): $224,800 – Three consecutive 1,000-yard seasons
- Liam Dobson (OL): $210,000 – All-West protection anchor
- Total offensive core: ~$1,222,000 (20% of cap)
Hamilton’s offense-first philosophy contrasts defensive-heavy strategies employed by Edmonton (50% defensive spending) and Saskatchewan (45% defense allocation).
The Ticats invested 55-60% of salary cap on offensive starters believing elite quarterback play combined with premium receivers creates sustainable playoff success.
Bo Levi Mitchell’s 5,296 passing yards led CFL in 2025, validating Hamilton’s win-now spending strategy around 34-year-old veteran rather than cost-controlled young quarterback development.
Bo Levi Mitchell Contract Breakdown
Bo Levi Mitchell signed three-year contract worth over $500,000 CAD annually with Hamilton in January 2023 after nine seasons with Calgary.
His 2025 compensation reaches approximately $550,000 maximum including undisclosed signing bonus, marketing money, and housing allowances.
Mitchell previously restructured Calgary contract from $700,000 to $550,000 with $350,000 bonus in 2020, establishing precedent for bonus-heavy deals reducing annual cap hits.
The Katy, Texas native’s Hamilton contract extends through 2025 with team option years potentially running through 2026-2027.
His two Grey Cup championships (2014, 2018) and two Most Outstanding Player awards (2016, 2018) justify premium quarterback spending as Hamilton pursues first title since 1999.
Mitchell’s 2025 season included career-high 5,296 passing yards with 36 touchdowns and just 11 interceptions across 18 starts, earning East Division Most Outstanding Player nomination.
Performance bonuses likely pushed total 2025 compensation above $575,000 including playoff appearance payments and statistical achievement incentives.
His veteran leadership mentoring younger receivers like Kiondré Smith ($165,000) creates intangible value beyond statistical production.
Financial Reality for Hamilton Tiger-Cats Players
Average Hamilton Tiger-Cats salary approximates $115,000-125,000 CAD, above league average due to aggressive 2025 free agency spending on offensive weapons.
Only 8-10 players earn above $165,000, with the Ticats’ offense-heavy investment leaving limited cap space for defensive stars. Most defensive linemen earn $90,000-140,000 while linebackers average $85,000-155,000 outside elite starters.
Hamilton benefits from relatively affordable Southern Ontario cost of living compared to Toronto or Vancouver, with average rent around $1,650 monthly consuming 17-20% of rookie salaries versus 25-30% in Toronto.
Off-season employment remains necessary for 55-65% of roster earning under $130,000, though Hamilton’s proximity to Toronto creates additional opportunities in finance, sales, media, and coaching compared to smaller CFL markets.
Tim Jones Stadium (formerly Tim Hortons Field) generates strong gameday revenue with 24,000 capacity sellouts during playoff push.
The organization’s estimated $44.7 million annual revenue supports premium player spending while maintaining financial stability, contrasting Edmonton’s $15 million three-year losses.
Players face pressure delivering championship after 26-year drought despite management’s patience funding win-now roster construction.
FAQs
How much does Bo Levi Mitchell make?
Bo Levi Mitchell earns over $500,000 annually through his three-year Hamilton contract signed in January 2023. His 2025 compensation likely exceeded $575,000 including bonuses after leading the CFL with 5,296 passing yards and earning East Division Most Outstanding Player nomination.
What is Kenny Lawler’s salary?
Kenny Lawler earns $287,200 for 2025, making him the CFL’s highest-paid non-quarterback across all positions. His contract includes $110,000 base salary, $125,000 signing bonus, $25,000 marketing money, and $14,700 housing allowance, reaching $303,000 maximum with incentives.
How much does Tim White earn?
Tim White earns $224,800 hard money for 2025 with $250,100 maximum including incentives. His restructured contract includes $55,000 training camp bonus, $20,000 marketing money, and $13,800 housing allowance after demanding $300,000 annually following consecutive All-CFL selections.
Can Hamilton Tiger-Cats players make a living year-round?
Top 8-10 earners like Bo Levi Mitchell ($500K+), Kenny Lawler ($287K), and Tim White ($225K) avoid off-season jobs. Most players earning $80,000-130,000 require secondary employment during November-May offseason, though Hamilton’s Toronto proximity creates more opportunities than smaller CFL markets.
