As MLS and the MLS Players Association continue negotiating a new CBA, the league is having a separate internal discussion that could have massive ramifications for how teams build their rosters. According to several high-level league and club sources, MLS is entertaining proposals to change its designated player system.



Under the current setup, teams are allowed to sign a maximum of three DPs. Regardless of how much teams spend on acquisition costs and salaries for those players, DPs hit the salary budget at a set figure that varies depending on the player’s age. In 2019, DPs age 20 or under hit the budget at $150,000, those between 21-23 years of age hit at $200,000, and those 23 years old and above carry a $530,000 hit. In addition, teams that have three DPs over age 23 have to pay the league $150,000.



The escalating budget hits and additional fee for rostering three over-23 DPs are designed to encourage teams to invest in younger talent, but MLS has...