Phase 4 secretly announced that Captain America’s Secret Avengers had paid off after Captain America: Civil War. But who funded Steve Rogers’ new team?
Thanks to a moment in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, it looks like someone paid Captain America’s Secret Avengers team after Captain America: Civil War. Phase 4 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe has further explored the Avengers pay debate, as several projects have referenced the heroes being paid. One such example came in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier as Sam Wilson’s income history is being investigated in an attempt to get a loan. The show reinforced the notion that the Avengers aren’t currently paid, but teased that the unofficial Captain America team is as well.
When Sam Wilson meets the bank in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, it is mentioned that he hasn’t had any income for five years. This makes sense considering Sam was one of Thanos’ victims and went missing for five years during Avengers: Endgame. However, Sam was also on the run two years earlier as part of Captain America’s Secret Avengers team after Captain America: Civil War. That means Sam’s payment gap should be seven years, not five. It’s possible that this is a timeline/continuity error made by Marvel Studios, but it also indicates that someone is funding the Captain America’s Secret Avengers team.
Who could have paid for The Secret Avengers after Civil War
If anyone has been paying for Captain America’s Secret Avengers and their missions since Captain America: Civil War, there are only a few realistic options for the MCU assuming they don’t get away with small payments or civilian favors. The most intriguing option is that Tony Stark secretly funded Captain America’s team to ensure the safety of his friends. Captain America: Civil War ended their relationship on a bad note, but Tony also helped them escape by putting Thunderbolt Ross’ call on hold after receiving Steve Rogers’ letter. It’s possible that Tony kept his role as Avengers financier for Captain America’s illegal team as well.
The other main possibility for whoever paid for Captain America’s Secret Avengers team after Captain America: Civil War is T’Challa. The film ended with T’Challa agreeing to use Wakanda’s resources to heal Bucky Barnes. It’s possible that T’Challa also agreed to help Captain America’s Secret Avengers team financially by funding their missions. This explanation would strengthen the bond between Black Panther and Captain America. If that’s the case, it doesn’t appear that the other Secret Avengers are aware of a Wakandan partnership, as they hadn’t visited the country prior to Avengers: Infinity War.
The MCU’s Avengers payment issue still has 1 problem
The potential reveal of how other versions of the Avengers have been paid in the past could further tie The Falcon and the Winter Soldier to Captain America: Civil War, but the current debate over who the Avengers are paid remains with the question of the find. who will now take financial responsibility. Tony Stark is gone, and while the Avengers may continue to use Avengers Compound, the expense of being a superhero adds up. There are currently no Avengers overflowing with cash, so paying for Avengers missions could be left to a future member, like Reed Richards.
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