Good news for MLS teams looking to add to their roster this offseason as the league is set to announce a massive increase to the targeted allocation money given to each team.
MLS is expected to announce an increase of $8.8 million dollars in targeted allocation money over what had previously been budgeted for 2017, Sports Illustrated reports. The increase breaks down to a boost of roughly $400,000 per team to bring each team’s total to around $1.2 million dollars in TAM. The resource helps teams add or retain players that would otherwise have their salaries rise above the DP threshold.
Recent recipients of TAM include LA Galaxy defended Jelle Van Damme, Columbus Crew forward Ola Kamara, D.C. United midfielder Luciano Acosta, as well as New York Red Bulls forward and MLS golden boot winner Bradley Wright-Phillips. The rule was introduced with the intent on building the top-level talent of MLS rosters outside of the three allowed DP slots.
The rise in TAM could allow players to buy down current DPs to allow for new signings of that caliber, or used to sign new players while keeping those signings below the DP cap themselves. This is particularly useful for teams with players on the fringe of DP status as it could potentially lead to massive new DP signings.
Players that could be affected include names such as the Chicago Fire’s David Accam, the Columbus Crew’s Federico Higuain, the Montreal Impact’s Laurent Ciman, and the Portland Timbers’ Fanendo Adi and Lucas Melano, as well as others who’s base salaries sit just above the league’s DP threshold.
What do you think of the increase in TAM available? Are there any moves you’d like to see your team make with the additional funds?
Share your thoughts below.