Designated Player Rule facts for kids

The Designated Player Rule, often called the Beckham Rule, is a special rule in Major League Soccer (MLS), which is the top soccer league in the United States and Canada. This rule lets MLS teams sign up to three star players who can earn more money than the usual team salary limit. This means teams can pay these players higher wages or pay a special fee to their old club to bring them over.

The rule started in 2007. It helps MLS teams compete with big international soccer clubs to sign famous players. The rule is named after the famous English soccer player David Beckham. He was the very first player to be signed using this rule. In 2007, he joined the Los Angeles Galaxy with a contract that paid him $6.5 million each year.

What is the Designated Player Rule?

The Designated Player (DP) Rule allows soccer teams in MLS to sign a few players whose salaries don't count fully towards the team's total salary limit, called the salary cap. Think of the salary cap as a budget for how much a team can spend on all its players' salaries. Most players' salaries must fit under this budget.

But for DPs, only a smaller, set amount of their salary counts towards the cap. This means teams can pay these special players much more money than other players, without breaking the overall budget rules. This helps MLS teams attract really talented players from all over the world.

Why was the rule created?

Before the Designated Player Rule, it was hard for MLS teams to sign big international soccer stars. The league's salary cap meant they couldn't offer enough money to compete with richer leagues in Europe or other parts of the world.

The rule was created to change that! By allowing teams to pay more for a few key players, MLS could bring in famous names like David Beckham. These players helped make the league more exciting and popular, attracting more fans and better players over time. It was a way to grow soccer in North America.

How do teams use the rule?

Teams usually use their Designated Player spots for players who are either:

• Big-name stars: Famous players who bring a lot of attention and skill to the league, like David Beckham or Zlatan Ibrahimović.
• Top young talents: Promising young players who might become future stars and can be sold later for a profit.
• Key team leaders: Important players who are crucial to the team's success on the field.

As of late 2019, over 200 players have been signed as Designated Players in MLS history. This shows how important the rule has become for teams to build strong and exciting rosters.

Famous Designated Players

Many well-known soccer players have joined MLS as Designated Players. Here are a few examples:

• David Beckham (England) - The first DP, played for Los Angeles Galaxy.
• Thierry Henry (France) - A legendary striker who played for New York Red Bulls.
• Robbie Keane (Ireland) - A top scorer for LA Galaxy.
• Kaká (Brazil) - A former FIFA World Player of the Year who played for Orlando City SC.
• Andrea Pirlo (Italy) - A midfield maestro for New York City FC.
• Wayne Rooney (England) - A famous forward who played for D.C. United.
• Zlatan Ibrahimović (Sweden) - A charismatic goal-scorer for LA Galaxy.
• Carlos Vela (Mexico) - A prolific forward for Los Angeles FC.
• Gonzalo Higuaín (Argentina) - A talented striker for Inter Miami CF.

These players not only brought their amazing skills to MLS but also helped raise the league's profile around the world.

Images for kids

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  David Beckham was the league's first Designated Player, with the rule being nicknamed the "Beckham Rule".

See also

In Spanish: Regla del Jugador Franquicia para niños