Confused about the MLS roster rules and who your team can sign, and how they can sign them? Well here’s a little simplification of those rules.
MLS fans have always had a hard time following along with the roster breakdown. While words like Designated Player, General Allocation Money (GAM), or Generation Adidas are thrown about, what do they even mean?
Do you ever wonder how Sebastian Giovinco and David Villa’s salaries are high, but don’t make a team go over the salary cap? What about those guys playing oversees that left the MLS and want to come back? How does that work? So many questions and so many answers. So let’s break it down for you in what each individual word means.
But first this flow chart by Planet Futbol’s Alexander Abnos will be an amazing help.
MLS' 2017 roster rules are now up in full: https://t.co/OLrB9Nzyeb
— Alexander Abnos (@AnAbnos) February 28, 2017
Or, if you prefer, there's the flowchart: https://t.co/hgDcLbFU2h
Are you still confused? So here’s a breakdown of what all those crazy terms mean to you, the fans.
General Allocation Money (GAM): How do you get General Allocation Money or GAM as its so-called? Well to start every team gets $200,000 in GAM to start the season in 2017. If you missed the playoffs the season before or qualified for the CONCACAF group stage or knockout round you’ll be getting some. If your team recently transferred out a player to a team outside of the MLS….well here you go a little more. When the league expands like this year, all teams receive some more. Teams like Minnesota and Atlanta receive their own type of GAM to start their franchises. For example NYCFC traded $250,000 GAM to Chicago for the third selection in the 2017 MLS SuperDraft this year.