Leagues: MLS

MLS Changes Designated Player Rule

According to the MLS Web site, the league has decided to add to its designated player rule.

Effective immediately, teams will now have two designated player slots, and an option to buy a third.

The third slot, it seems, would cost a team $250,000 – money that would be shared as allocation money among the clubs without three DPs.

The release reads, “each DP player signing will now count as $335,000 toward a team’s salary budget and $167,500 if the DP is signed mid-season. According to the league, the $335,000 figure represents approximately 13 percent of a team’s salary budget. Previously, teams were charged $415,000 against the salary budget per DP. A team can also use its allocation money to bring that salary budget hit down to just $185,000.”

So, in the wake of an off-season of labor strife, this has to go down as huge news for the league.

200+ Channels With Sports & News
  • Starting price: $33/mo. for fubo Latino Package
  • Watch Premier League, Women’s World Cup, Euro 2024 & Gold Cup
The New Home of MLS
  • Price: $14.99/mo. for MLS Season Pass
  • Watch every MLS game including playoffs & Leagues Cup
Many Sports & ESPN Originals
  • Price: $10.99/mo. (or get ESPN+, Hulu & Disney+ for $14.99/mo.)
  • Features Bundesliga, LaLiga, Championship, & FA Cup
2,000+ soccer games per year
  • Price: $5.99/mo
  • Features Champions League, Serie A, Europa League & Brasileirāo
175 Premier League Games & PL TV
  • Starting price: $5.99/mo. for Peacock Premium
  • Watch 175 exclusive EPL games per season

EDITORS’ PICKS