Major League Soccer operates under a salary cap, which necessitates unique roster mechanisms not typically found in global football. These include practices like using General Allocation Money for player acquisitions and salary buy-downs, and implementing a college draft. While standard for fans of American sports, MLS`s increasing international profile means these distinct features are becoming more widely understood.
Discovery Rights and the associated Discovery List are specific mechanisms that have gained recent attention, particularly with the arrivals of prominent players such as Lionel Messi and Marco Reus.
What Exactly are Discovery Rights?
Established in 1996, this system allows each MLS team to identify up to five players not currently contracted to the league or tied up through other assignment methods. Exclusions apply to current or former MLS players, draft/homegrown eligible players, and free agents, among others. Teams can modify their list at any time, and there`s no cap on the number of players who can ultimately be signed through this process.
Should multiple clubs express interest in adding the same player to their Discovery List, priority is given based on the date the player was first added. If added on the same day, the club with the lowest points-per-game record at that time receives priority.
Transferring Discovery Rights
When a team removes a player from their Discovery List, another team is then free to add them. This occurred with Kevin De Bruyne; after San Diego FC removed him from their expanded list (expansion teams get seven spots initially), Inter Miami added him. Although Inter Miami holds his rights, the Chicago Fire are reportedly strong contenders to sign him, partly because Miami has already filled its three Designated Player slots. Another method for rights transfer involves a team offering $50,000 in General Allocation Money. The team holding the rights must then either accept the GAM and relinquish the rights or make a formal contract offer to the player.
This potential for forced action can lead to inter-team negotiations. A notable instance is Marco Reus, whose Discovery Rights transfer to the LA Galaxy reportedly cost $400,000, a record sum. While Reus reportedly preferred joining the Galaxy over Charlotte FC, Charlotte held his rights by making a valid offer, giving them leverage in the negotiation that followed.
Future Outlook for Discovery Rights
The complexity seen in the Reus case raises concerns about potential scenarios where a player might be prevented from joining a desired club if no agreement is reached, which could negatively impact the league`s image. MLS is actively addressing these issues. Todd Durbin, MLS EVP of Player Strategy and Relations, stated that simplifying the process and significantly reducing conflicts over Discovery Rights is a priority. Potential changes being considered include implementing fixed compensation amounts for rights transfers to eliminate friction and possibly reducing the total number of players eligible for discovery.
