Actually, salaries are quite random in The Show. They are based primarily on rating, but McDonald might ask for 7 million in one franchise and 4 in another.
I agree that it
should be that the previous season's numbers made a big difference in market value, but it doesn't in 08. Plus, a backup SS would have to have a huge "helluva year" to command 7 mil...lol. The Show's financial system is pretty poor overall, IMO.