In a conference call Tuesday to discuss league matters before the kickoff of the 2010 Major League Soccer season Thursday night, commissioner Don Garber said he may announce an expansion of their Designated Player rule to allow teams to carry two such players on rosters, instead of one.
The rule, dubbed the Beckham Rule, after the English midfielder became the first player to take advantage of this rule when he joined the Los Angeles Galaxy, allows teams to sign one player to a contract for an unlimited amount, with only $400,000 of the player's salary counting against the team's salary cap. The rest of the salary is paid by the other league members.
Since Beckham joined MLS, Cuauhtemoc Blanco (Chicago Fire), Juan Pablo Angel (New York Red Bulls), Guillermo Barros Schelotto (Columbus Crew) and Freddie Ljungberg (Seattle Sounders) have been signed under that policy.
"It is in all our best interests," Garber said, "to ensure that we have star players that can help drive interest in our league and grow attendance and ratings."
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