Phase 4 secretly teased that Captain America’s Secret Avengers were paid after Captain America: Civil War. But who funded Steve Rogers’ new team?
Thanks to one moment in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, it appears that someone paid for Captain America’s Secret Avengers team after Captain America: Civil War. Phase 4 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe dove deep into exploring the Avengers’ pay debate, as multiple projects referenced if the heroes were paid. One such example came in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier as Sam Wilson’s income history is investigated in an attempt to get a loan. The show reinforced the idea that the Avengers are not currently being paid, but it did tease that even Captain America’s unofficial team was.
When Sam Wilson meets with the bank in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, it is mentioned that he does not have any income for the last five years. This makes sense considering Sam was one of Thanos’ snap victims and disappeared for five years during Avengers: Endgame. However, Sam was also on the run for two years prior as part of Captain America’s Secret Avengers team after Captain America: Civil War. That means that the gap in Sam’s payments should be seven years, not five. There is a chance this is a timeline/continuity mistake made by Marvel Studios, but it also indicates someone funded Captain America’s Secret Avengers team.
Who Could Have Paid The Secret Avengers After Civil War
If someone did pay for Captain America’s Secret Avengers and their missions after Captain America: Civil War, there are only a few realistic options for the MCU assuming they did not get by on small payments or favors from civilians. The most intriguing option is that Tony Stark secretly funded Captain America’s team as a way to ensure his friends remained safe. Captain America: Civil War ended their relationship on a bad note, but Tony also helped them escape in the first place by putting Thunderbolt Ross’ call on hold after receiving Steve Rogers’ letter. It is possible Tony retained his role as funding the Avengers even for Captain America’s illegal team.
The other main possibility for who paid Captain America’s Secret Avengers team after Captain America: Civil War is T’Challa. The movie concluded with T’Challa agreeing to use Wakanda’s resources to heal Bucky Barnes. It is possible 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 this is the case, it does not appear that the other Secret Avengers are aware of a Wakandan partnership, as they had not visited the country before Avengers: Infinity War.
The MCU’s Avengers Pay Problem Still Has 1 Issue
The potential reveal of how other versions of the Avengers were paid in the past might connect The Falcon and the Winter Soldier even more so to Captain America: Civil War, but the current Avengers pay debate is still left with the issue of who will now take on the financial responsibility. Tony Stark is gone and even if the Avengers are able to keep using Avengers Compound, the expenses of being a superhero add up. There are no current Avengers who are flushed with cash, so paying for the Avengers’ missions could be left for a future member, such as Reed Richards.
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