Quote Originally Posted by noxx98 View Post
"In general, the total amount of the acquisition cost of a player is charged against the Salary Budget in the year in which it is paid."

Here's where I got it:
https://www.mlssoccer.com/about/rost...nd-regulations

We also don't know how the transfer fee was structured to begin with (e.g., could be paid over multiple years). Agreed though that the rules are complex and constantly changing, so I could be wrong here too...
Agreed and I don't want to turn this into an MLS rules forum. However, the section you quoted from is specific to a Special Discovery Player. Under Designated Player, it states "A player's Salary Budget Charge, and therefore Designated Player status, is generally determined by averaging all guaranteed amounts payable over the guaranteed term." I think that there is an article that addresses this point in the Athletic, but I do not have a subscription.

Quote Originally Posted by Joe Kool View Post
I like when you post just so I can see a bouncing elephant....
It is mesmerizing....