Editing Major League Soccer (section)

==Organization==

===Ownership===
{{See also|Major League Soccer owners}}
Major League Soccer operates under a single-entity structure in which teams and player contracts are centrally owned by the league.<ref name=fraser /><ref name="Business of Soccer">{{Cite web|date=August 26, 2013|title=Dempsey Transfer Highlights Influence of MLS Single-Entity Economic Structure|url=http://www.businessofsoccer.com/2013/08/26/dempsey-transfer-highlights-mls-single-entity-economic-structure/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140812084436/http://www.businessofsoccer.com/2013/08/26/dempsey-transfer-highlights-mls-single-entity-economic-structure/|archive-date=August 12, 2014|access-date=September 20, 2014|website=Business of Soccer}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Roundtable: Is MLS Single Entity Here To Stay? |url=http://www.hottimeinoldtown.com/2014/2/28/5456444/roundtable-is-mls-single-entity-here-to-stay |date=February 28, 2014 |website=Hot Time in Old Town |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141031111538/http://www.hottimeinoldtown.com/2014/2/28/5456444/roundtable-is-mls-single-entity-here-to-stay |archive-date=October 31, 2014 |access-date=September 20, 2014}}</ref> Each team has an investor-operator that is a shareholder in the league.<ref name="Stadiums" /> In order to control costs, MLS shares revenues and holds players contracts instead of players contracting with individual teams. In ''[[Fraser v. Major League Soccer]]'', a lawsuit filed in 1996 and decided in 2002, the league won a legal battle with its players in which the court ruled that MLS was a single entity that can lawfully centrally contract for player services.<ref name=fraser /> The court also ruled that even absent their [[collective bargaining agreement]], players could opt to play in other leagues if they were unsatisfied.<ref name=fraser />

Having multiple clubs operated by a single investor was a necessity in the league's first ten years.<ref name="latimes2006" /> At one time, [[Phil Anschutz]]'s AEG operated six MLS franchises and [[Lamar Hunt]]'s Hunt Sports operated three franchises. In order to attract additional investors, in 2002 the league announced changes to the operating agreement between the league and its teams to improve team revenues and increase the incentives to be an individual club operator.<ref name="Contraction">{{Cite web |title=Major League Soccer Announces Elimination of Tampa Bay Mutiny and Miami Fusion for 2002 Season |url=http://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2014/03/17/12/08/major-league-soccer-announces-elimination-of-tampa-bay-mutiny-and-miami-fusion-for-2002-season |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140819082916/http://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2014/03/17/12/08/major-league-soccer-announces-elimination-of-tampa-bay-mutiny-and-miami-fusion-for-2002-season |archive-date=August 19, 2014 |access-date=September 20, 2014}}</ref> These changes included granting operators the rights to a certain number of players they develop through their club's academy system each year, sharing the profits of [[Soccer United Marketing]], and being able to sell individual club jersey sponsorships.<ref name="Contraction" />

As MLS appeared to be on the brink of overall profitability in 2006 and developed significant expansion plans, MLS announced that it wanted each club to have a distinct operator.<ref>{{Cite web |title=MLS' Don Garber Talks State of the League with the Daily |url=http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Issues/2007/04/Issue-135/MLS-Season-Preview/MLS-Don-Garber-Talks-State-Of-The-League-With-The-Daily.aspx?hl=FC%20Dallas&sc=0 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140228003815/http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Issues/2007/04/Issue-135/MLS-Season-Preview/MLS-Don-Garber-Talks-State-Of-The-League-With-The-Daily.aspx?hl=FC%20Dallas&sc=0 |archive-date=February 28, 2014 |access-date=September 20, 2014}}</ref> The league has attracted new investors that have injected more money into the league.<ref name="forbes.com"/> Examples include [[Red Bull]]'s purchase of the MetroStars from AEG in 2006 for over $100&nbsp;million.<ref name="latimes2006">''Los Angeles Times'', [https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2006-mar-29-sp-mls29-story.html "MLS Looks Way Down the Field"], March 29, 2006.</ref><ref name="nytimes.com">''The New York Times'', [https://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/10/sports/soccer/10soccer.html?_r=0 "Red Bull Is New Owner, and Name, of MetroStars"] {{webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20140531232010/http://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/10/sports/soccer/10soccer.html|date=May 31, 2014 }}, March 10, 2006.</ref> For the 2014 season, the league assumed control of the former Chivas USA club, which had suffered from mismanagement and poor financial results under its individual operator relationship.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Baxter |first=Kevin |date=February 20, 2014 |title=Major League Soccer assumes ownership of Chivas USA |work=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/soccer/la-xpm-2014-feb-20-la-sp-mls-chivas-20140221-story.html |url-status=live |access-date=September 20, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140822080201/http://articles.latimes.com/2014/feb/20/sports/la-sp-mls-chivas-20140221 |archive-date=August 22, 2014}}</ref><ref name="forbes.com" /> The league eventually dissolved the team,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Dear Fans and Friends |url=http://www.cdchivasusa.com/ |publisher=CD Chivas USA |url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141030005413/http://www.cdchivasusa.com/ |archive-date=October 30, 2014 |access-date=October 30, 2014}}</ref> in favor of awarding rights to a second soccer club in the Los Angeles area to a new investor group on October 30, 2014.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Major League Soccer awards new team to Los Angeles |url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2014/10/30/major-league-soccer-awards-new-team-los-angeles |date=October 30, 2014 |website=MLSsoccer.com |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141101193554/http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2014/10/30/major-league-soccer-awards-new-team-los-angeles |archive-date=November 1, 2014 |access-date=October 30, 2014}}</ref>

The league now has 30 investor-operators for its 30 current clubs, with no member of any club's investor group having a stake in that of any other club. Since December 2015, when AEG sold its remaining 50% interest in the Houston Dynamo, the former multiple-team operators AEG and Hunt Sports, with the LA Galaxy and FC Dallas respectively, now only control one franchise.<ref>{{Cite news |date=September 6, 2007 |title=Chicago Fire sold to Andell Holdings |publisher=Chicago Fire Media Relations |url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/chicago-fire-sold-andell-holdings |url-status=live |access-date=August 21, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141120024349/http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/chicago-fire-sold-andell-holdings |archive-date=November 20, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Group led by Gabriel Brener acquires AEG's ownership interests in Houston Dynamo |url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2015/12/15/group-led-gabriel-brener-acquires-aegs-ownership-interests-houston-dynamo |date=December 16, 2015 |website=MLSsoccer.com |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151216201123/http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2015/12/15/group-led-gabriel-brener-acquires-aegs-ownership-interests-houston-dynamo |archive-date=December 16, 2015 |access-date=December 15, 2015}}</ref>

===League executives===
[[Don Garber]] has been the commissioner of Major League Soccer since 1999, serving as the league's chief executive. The league's first commissioner was [[Doug Logan]], who served in the role from 1995 to 1999.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Wahl |first=Grant |author-link=Grant Wahl |date=December 3, 2014 |title=15 Years of The Don: Under Garber, MLS stayed afloat, has taken strides |magazine=Sports Illustrated |url=https://www.si.com/soccer/planet-futbol/2014/12/03/don-garber-mls-commissioner-major-league-soccer |url-status=live |access-date=March 4, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170305192652/http://www.si.com/soccer/planet-futbol/2014/12/03/don-garber-mls-commissioner-major-league-soccer |archive-date=March 5, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Bissonette |first=Zac |date=December 5, 2014 |title=A sports league that's unprofitable—but hopeful |publisher=CNBC |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2014/12/05/major-league-soccer-mls-works-hard-to-become-a-profitable-business.html |url-status=live |access-date=March 4, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170305194831/http://www.cnbc.com/2014/12/05/major-league-soccer-mls-works-hard-to-become-a-profitable-business.html |archive-date=March 5, 2017}}</ref>

Mark Abbott, a former MLS business partner, has served as the league's president and Deputy Commissioner since 2006.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mark Abbott |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/research/stocks/private/person.asp?personId=32728860&privcapId=4312581 |publisher=Bloomberg |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170305195054/http://www.bloomberg.com/research/stocks/private/person.asp?personId=32728860&privcapId=4312581 |archive-date=March 5, 2017 |access-date=March 4, 2017}}</ref>

===Player acquisition and salaries===
[[File:David Beckham Nov 11 2007.jpg|thumb|upright=0.7|[[David Beckham]] was the league's first [[Designated Player Rule|Designated Player]] in 2007.]]
In 2016, the average salary for MLS players was $373,094,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Salary Guide |url=https://mlsplayers.org/resources/salary-guide |date=May 19, 2016 |publisher=MLS Players' Association |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180615185627/https://mlsplayers.org/resources/salary-guide |archive-date=June 15, 2018 |access-date=July 20, 2018}}</ref> lower than the average salaries in England's second-tier [[EFL Championship]] ($420,000 in 2015),<ref name=Bolavip>{{cite web |url=https://bolavip.com/en/soccer/what-is-the-average-salary-in-theefl-championship-20210326-0022.html |title=EFL Championship: What is the average salary in England's second-tier? |website=bolavip.com |last=Alcheva |first=Martina |date=May 27, 2021 |access-date=July 29, 2021 |archive-date=August 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210814055611/https://bolavip.com/en/soccer/what-is-the-average-salary-in-theefl-championship-20210326-0022.html |url-status=live }}</ref> the Netherlands' [[Eredivisie]] ($445,000),<ref>{{Cite web |title=Dutch professional football continues financial improvement |url=http://www.epfl-europeanleagues.com/eredivisie_financial_improvement.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140820114358/http://www.epfl-europeanleagues.com/eredivisie_financial_improvement.htm |archive-date=August 20, 2014 |access-date=September 20, 2014}}</ref> or Mexico's [[Liga MX]] ($418,000 in 2015).<ref>{{Cite web |title=MLS confident new CBA will be done in time for March 6 season start |url=http://www.espnfc.com/major-league-soccer/story/2232135/mls-confident-new-cba-will-be-done-in-time-for-march-6-season-start |last=Carlisle |first=Jeff |date=January 7, 2015 |publisher=ESPN FC |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150626104757/http://www.espnfc.com/major-league-soccer/story/2232135/mls-confident-new-cba-will-be-done-in-time-for-march-6-season-start |archive-date=June 26, 2015 |access-date=June 26, 2015}}</ref> The league's minimum player salary increased in 2017 to $65,000 for most players, and roster players #25–30 saw their minimum salary increased to $53,000.<ref name="Major League Soccer">{{Cite web |title=MLS Players Union announces that it has ratified collective bargaining agreement |url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2015/07/16/mls-players-union-announces-it-has-ratified-collective-bargaining-agreement |date=July 16, 2015 |publisher=Major League Soccer |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151022061339/http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2015/07/16/mls-players-union-announces-it-has-ratified-collective-bargaining-agreement |archive-date=October 22, 2015 |access-date=October 25, 2015}}</ref><ref name="pressbox2015">{{Cite web |title=2015 MLS Player Rules and Regulations Summary |url=http://pressbox.mlssoccer.com/content/roster-rules-and-regulations |website=MLS Press Box |publisher=Major League Soccer |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150424014409/http://pressbox.mlssoccer.com/content/roster-rules-and-regulations |archive-date=April 24, 2015 |access-date=May 1, 2015}}</ref>

MLS salaries are limited by a [[Salary cap#Major League Soccer|salary cap]], which MLS has had in place since the league's inception in 1996. The purpose of the salary cap is to prevent the team's owners from unsustainable spending on player salaries and to prevent a competitive imbalance among teams.<ref name="leagle.com" /> The salary cap survived a legal challenge by the players in the ''[[Fraser v. Major League Soccer]]'' lawsuit. The 2017 salary cap increased to $3.845 million per team.<ref name="Major League Soccer" /><ref name=pressbox2015/> Each team is allowed up to 30 players on its first team roster.<ref name="MLS Roster Rules">{{Cite news |date=March 2, 2018 |title=MLS Roster Rules and Regulations |work=MLSsoccer.com |publisher=MLS Digital |url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/league/official-rules/mls-roster-rules-and-regulations |access-date=February 13, 2019 |archive-date=February 26, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180226030351/https://www.mlssoccer.com/league/official-rules/mls-roster-rules-and-regulations |url-status=dead }}</ref> All 30 players are eligible for selection to each 18-player game-day squad during the regular season and playoffs.

Teams may augment their squads by signing players from other leagues. MLS has two [[transfer window]]s—the primary pre-season transfer window lasts three months from mid February until mid May, and the secondary mid season transfer window runs one month from early July to early August.<ref name="pressbox2015" /> When an MLS club sells one of its players overseas, the club and the league split the transfer revenues, with the club retaining from 33% to 75% depending on the player's status and tenure.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Goff |first=Steve |date=August 2, 2016 |title=Israeli club ups offer for D.C. United's Steve Birnbaum, but |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/soccer-insider/wp/2016/08/02/israeli-club-ups-offer-for-d-c-uniteds-steve-birnbaum-but/ |url-status=live |access-date=January 23, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170510134413/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/soccer-insider/wp/2016/08/02/israeli-club-ups-offer-for-d-c-uniteds-steve-birnbaum-but/ |archive-date=May 10, 2017}}</ref>
MLS teams have a limited number of [[MLS International Roster Slots|international roster slots]] that they can use to sign non-domestic players. However, MLS teams often obtain green cards for their non-domestic players in order to qualify them for domestic status and thus free up international roster slots.<ref>{{Cite web |title=ASN article: MLS Allure: Why Wages Are Only Part of the Story |url=http://americansoccernow.com/articles/mls-allure-why-wages-are-only-part-of-the-story |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150916192944/http://americansoccernow.com/articles/mls-allure-why-wages-are-only-part-of-the-story |archive-date=September 16, 2015 |access-date=September 15, 2015}}</ref> In 2015, 49% of MLS players were born outside of the U.S. and Canada, with players from 58 countries represented.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Recent analysis of foreign player pool in MLS reveals interesting numbers |url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/sideline/news/article/2015/09/10/recent-analysis-foreign-player-pool-mls-reveals-interesting-numbers |date=September 10, 2015 |website=MLSsoccer.com |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150912153409/http://www.mlssoccer.com/sideline/news/article/2015/09/10/recent-analysis-foreign-player-pool-mls-reveals-interesting-numbers |archive-date=September 12, 2015 |access-date=September 15, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=MLS remains most diverse professional sports league in North America |url=http://www.lagalaxy.com/news/2015/04/mls-remains-most-diverse-professional-sports-league-north-america |date=April 23, 2015 |website=LA Galaxy |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150425222317/http://www.lagalaxy.com/news/2015/04/mls-remains-most-diverse-professional-sports-league-north-america |archive-date=April 25, 2015 |access-date=April 24, 2015}}</ref>

MLS has a set of [[List of MLS Pool Goalkeepers|pool goalkeepers]] who are signed to a contract with the league and are loaned to teams during emergencies in which they are missing a goalkeeper due to injuries or suspensions.<ref>{{cite news |last=Koczwara |first=Kevin |date=November 4, 2016 |title=On MLS's Most Star-Studded Team, Brian Rowe Is the Last Line of Defense |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/on-mlss-most-star-studded-team-brian-rowe-is-the-last-line-of-defense/ |work=Vice News |access-date=August 22, 2020 |archive-date=September 5, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200905044535/https://www.vice.com/en_ca/article/kbd3ga/on-mlss-most-star-studded-team-brian-rowe-is-the-last-line-of-defense |url-status=live }}</ref> The pool goalkeeper trains with an MLS club or an affiliated team when not assigned to a team; some pool goalkeepers, including [[Tim Melia]], have gone on to be signed to permanent contract with their assigned teams.<ref>{{cite news |last=Brenner |first=Steve |date=June 25, 2019 |title=Meet Charlie Lyon: The MLS 'Pool Goalkeeper' Who Can Play for Every Club |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2842032-meet-charlie-lyon-the-mls-pool-goalkeeper-who-can-play-for-every-club |work=[[Bleacher Report]] |access-date=August 22, 2020 |archive-date=October 20, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201020202459/https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2842032-meet-charlie-lyon-the-mls-pool-goalkeeper-who-can-play-for-every-club |url-status=live }}</ref> In the past, when rosters were smaller, there were multiple goalkeepers signed to the pool, however, in recent years only one or two keepers are signed as team rosters are much larger.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://global.espn.com/football/major-league-soccer/19/blog/post/3132935/billy-heavner-life-in-limbo-in-major-league-soccer-as-a-pool-goalkeeper|title=Billy Heavner's life in limbo in Major League Soccer as a 'pool goalkeeper'|date=May 24, 2017|first=Jeff|last=Carlisle|work=[[ESPN]]|access-date=August 31, 2020|archive-date=February 21, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200221094933/https://global.espn.com/football/major-league-soccer/19/blog/post/3132935/billy-heavner-life-in-limbo-in-major-league-soccer-as-a-pool-goalkeeper|url-status=live}}</ref>

====Designated Players and allocation money====
MLS has also introduced various initiatives and rules intended to improve quality of players while still maintaining the salary cap. Rules concerning Designated Players and allocation money allow for additional wage spending that is exempt from the salary cap. These initiatives have brought about an increase in on-field competition.<ref name="monstersandcritics.com">{{Cite news |last=Martin |first=Pat |date=May 4, 2007 |title=MLS comes out of the gates strong in '07 |publisher=monstersandcritics.com |url=http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=soc-mls/misc/mls_features_archive/mls_features_archive_050407.htm |url-status=dead |access-date=August 10, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150524072946/http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=soc-mls%2Fmisc%2Fmls_features_archive%2Fmls_features_archive_050407.htm |archive-date=May 24, 2015}}</ref>{{unreliable source?|date=October 2019}}

The [[Designated Player Rule|designated player (DP) rule]] allows teams to sign a limited number of players whose salary exceeds the maximum cap; in 2017, each DP player only counted as $480,625 (the maximum non-DP salary) against the cap. Instituted in 2007, England's [[David Beckham]] was the first signing under the DP rule.<ref name="forbes-2014-09" /> The DP rule has led to large income inequality in MLS with top DPs earning as much as 180 times more than a player earning the league minimum.<ref name="2014-salaries-mlsplayers">{{Cite web |title=2014 MLS Player Salaries: April 1, 2014: By Club |url=http://www.mlsplayers.org/files/April%201,%202014%20Salary%20Information%20-%20By%20Club.pdf |date=April 2, 2014 |publisher=Major League Soccer Players Union |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150618064130/http://www.mlsplayers.org/files/April%201%2C%202014%20Salary%20Information%20-%20By%20Club.pdf |archive-date=June 18, 2015 |access-date=August 20, 2015}}</ref> In the 2013 season, 21% of the league's wage spending went to just five players; this stretched to 29% on the top 6 players in the 2014 season.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Reese |first=Bill |date=January 30, 2014 |title=A Look at Income Inequality in MLS |work=Empire of Soccer |url=http://www.empireofsoccer.com/look-income-inequality-22820/ |url-status=usurped |access-date=August 20, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150726234141/http://www.empireofsoccer.com/look-income-inequality-22820/ |archive-date=July 26, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=2014 MLS Salaries Visualized |url=http://www.stathunting.com/2014/04/11/mls-salaries-visualized/ |last=Fenn |first=Steve |date=April 11, 2014 |publisher=StatHunting |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140712170437/http://www.stathunting.com/2014/04/11/mls-salaries-visualized/ |archive-date=July 12, 2014 |access-date=September 20, 2014}}</ref>{{unreliable source?|date=October 2019}}

The league's "Core Players" initiative allows teams to re-sign players using retention funds that do not count against the salary cap.<ref name="mlssoccer.com" /> Retention funds were implemented in 2013 as a mechanism for MLS to retain key players; among the first high-profile players re-signed using retention funds were U.S. national team regulars [[Graham Zusi]] and [[Matt Besler]].<ref name="mlssoccer.com" /> MLS teams can also obtain [[allocation money]], which is money that the team can use on player salaries that does not count against the cap, and teams can earn allocation money in several ways, such as from the transfer fees earned by selling players to teams in other leagues.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The great allocation money chase |url=http://www.phillysoccerpage.net/2012/06/26/the-great-allocation-money-chase/ |date=June 26, 2012 |website=The Philly Soccer Page |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140717212245/http://www.phillysoccerpage.net/2012/06/26/the-great-allocation-money-chase/ |archive-date=July 17, 2014 |access-date=September 25, 2014}}</ref> MLS teams can also use Targeted Allocation Money (often referred to as TAM), an initiative announced in 2015. Teams can use TAM funds to attract high-profile players by "buying down" contracts of players to below the Designated Player level.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Tomlich |first=Ryan |title=MLS approves large TAM increase, additional Homegrown Player spending |work=Soccer by Ives |url=http://sbisoccer.com/2015/12/mls-approves-large-tam-increase-additional-homegrown-player-spending |url-status=live |access-date=December 9, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151211034629/http://sbisoccer.com/2015/12/mls-approves-large-tam-increase-additional-homegrown-player-spending |archive-date=December 11, 2015}}</ref> High-profile players for which TAM funds were used include [[Hector Villalba]], [[Zlatan Ibrahimović]] and [[Giorgio Chiellini]].

===Youth development===
{{See also|MLS Next Pro|Homegrown Player Rule (Major League Soccer)}}
MLS has introduced various initiatives and rules intended to develop young players. Rules concerning Generation Adidas players and home grown players provide incentives for clubs to develop and retain young players.<ref name="monstersandcritics.com" />

MLS has required all of its teams to operate youth development programs since 2008.<ref>{{Cite web |title=MLS launches youth development initiative |url=http://espnfc.com/news/story?id=391065&cc=5901 |date=November 10, 2006 |publisher=ESPN FC |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131231220008/http://espnfc.com/news/story?id=391065&cc=5901 |archive-date=December 31, 2013}}</ref> MLS roster rules allow teams to sign an unlimited number of players straight from their academies and bypassing the draft process.<ref name="pressbox2015" /> There is also supplementary salary budget made by MLS only for homegrown players that are registered using senior roster slots called homegrown player funds.<ref>{{Cite web |title=MLS announces $37 million investment in Targeted Allocation Money, Homegrown Player funds for 2016–17 |url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2015/12/09/mls-announces-37-million-investment-targeted-allocation-money-homegrown-player-funds |date=December 9, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160131040701/http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2015/12/09/mls-announces-37-million-investment-targeted-allocation-money-homegrown-player-funds |archive-date=January 31, 2016}}</ref> One of the most prominent and lucrative examples of success in "home-grown" development was [[Jozy Altidore]], who rose to prominence as a teenager in MLS before his record transfer fee $10&nbsp;million move to Villarreal in Spain in 2008.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bell |first=Jack |date=June 5, 2008 |title=Spanish Soccer Team Strikes Deal for Altidore |work=The New York Times |location=United States |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/05/sports/soccer/05altidore.html?ref=sports |url-status=live |access-date=October 11, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130517174541/http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/05/sports/soccer/05altidore.html?ref=sports |archive-date=May 17, 2013}}</ref> The various MLS teams' development academies play matches in a [[U.S. Soccer Development Academy|U.S. Soccer developmental league]] against youth academies from other leagues such as the [[North American Soccer League (2011–2017)|North American Soccer League]] (NASL), which had been a Division II league prior to 2018, and USL Pro, originally a Division III league but now the Division II [[USL Championship]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=U.S. Soccer Development Academy 2014–2015 |url=http://ussda.demosphere.com/Profiles/index_E.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140921020705/http://ussda.demosphere.com/Profiles/index_E.html |archive-date=September 21, 2014 |access-date=September 20, 2014}}</ref>

The league operates a [[Generation Adidas]] program, which is a joint venture between MLS and U.S. Soccer that encourages young American players to enter MLS.<ref>{{Cite web |title=US U-20 players headline 2006 class |url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=354854&cc=5901 |date=January 11, 2006 |publisher=ESPN FC |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120214081859/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=354854&cc=5901 |archive-date=February 14, 2012 |access-date=September 15, 2013}}</ref> The Generation Adidas program has been in place since 1997, and has introduced players such as [[Landon Donovan]], [[Clint Dempsey]], [[Tim Howard]] and [[Michael Bradley (soccer)|Michael Bradley]] into MLS. Players under the Home Grown Player rule are signed to Generation Adidas contracts,<ref name="pressbox2015" /> all players on Generation Adidas contracts are "off budget players" and their salaries do not count against the cap.

MLS has operated reserve leagues, which give playing time to players who were not starters for their MLS teams, during two different periods. The [[MLS Reserve League]] was formed in 2005, and operated through 2014 (with the exception of the 2009 & 2010 seasons).<ref>MLSsoccer.com, [http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/commissioner-reveals-details-reserve-division "Commissioner reveals details of Reserve Division"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101120213608/http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/commissioner-reveals-details-reserve-division |date=November 20, 2010 }}, November 16, 2010.</ref> MLS began integrating its Reserve League with the league then known as USL Pro in 2013,<ref name="MLS_USL_Deal">{{Cite news |date=January 23, 2013 |title=MLS, USL Pro reach deal on restructured Reserve League |work=MLSsoccer.com |url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2013/01/23/mls-usl-pro-reach-deal-restructured-reserve-league |url-status=live |access-date=January 27, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130126060258/http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2013/01/23/mls-usl-pro-reach-deal-restructured-reserve-league |archive-date=January 26, 2013}}</ref> and after the 2014 season folded the Reserve League, with MLS then requiring all teams to either affiliate with a USL team or field their own reserve side in that league. However, this requirement was never strictly enforced, and MLS eventually relaunched its reserve league in 2022 under the banner of [[MLS Next Pro]]. In the inaugural 2022 season, 19 of the league's then-current clubs, plus future club [[St. Louis City SC]], fielded reserve sides in Next Pro. In the 2023 season, the only MLS teams that will not field Next Pro sides are [[CF Montréal]] and [[D.C. United]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Bonagura |first1=Kyle |title=Major League Soccer to launch development league in 2022 |url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/major-league-soccer/story/4415507/major-league-soccer-to-launch-development-league-in-2022 |access-date=June 21, 2021 |work=[[ESPN]] |date=June 21, 2021 |archive-date=December 16, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211216144436/https://www.espn.com/soccer/major-league-soccer/story/4415507/major-league-soccer-to-launch-development-league-in-2022 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite press release |url=https://www.mlsnextpro.com/news/seven-mls-affiliated-clubs-to-join-mls-next-pro-in-2023 |title=Seven MLS-Affiliated Clubs to Join MLS Next Pro in 2023 |publisher=MLS Next Pro |date=August 4, 2022 |access-date=January 30, 2023 |archive-date=February 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230209024649/https://www.mlsnextpro.com/news/seven-mls-affiliated-clubs-to-join-mls-next-pro-in-2023 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Following the folding of the [[U.S. Soccer Development Academy|Development Academy]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.topdrawersoccer.com/club-soccer-articles/us-soccer-ends-development-academy_aid47937|title=U.S. Soccer ends Development Academy &#124; Club Soccer &#124; Youth Soccer|website=TopDrawerSoccer.com|access-date=May 15, 2020|archive-date=August 4, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200804003325/https://www.topdrawersoccer.com/club-soccer-articles/us-soccer-ends-development-academy_aid47937|url-status=live}}</ref> MLS announced its own development league in 2020.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=April 16, 2020 |title=Major League Soccer launches new elite competition for youth academies {{!}} MLSSoccer.com |url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/major-league-soccer-launches-new-elite-competition-youth-academies |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231204013928/https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/major-league-soccer-launches-new-elite-competition-youth-academies |archive-date=2023-12-04 |access-date=2023-12-04 |website=mlssoccer |language=en}}</ref> It includes all of the MLS team academies as well as 95 clubs across the country; many of which were a part of the Development Academy.<ref>{{cite news |title=MLS Unveils New Youth Development Program Details |url=https://www.si.com/soccer/2020/05/14/mls-youth-academy-development-program-us-soccer |via=[[Sports Illustrated]] |agency=[[Associated Press]] |date=May 14, 2020 |language=en-us}}</ref>

===Stadiums===
<!--The plural of stadium is BOTH stadiums and stadia. This article is based on a sports league in the United States and Canada, and North American English more commonly uses "stadiums". Please consult WP:ENGVAR-->
[[File:Columbus crew stadium mls allstars 2005.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|right|The [[Columbus Crew]]'s [[Historic Crew Stadium|first stadium]] was MLS' first [[soccer-specific stadium]]]]
{{See also|Soccer-specific stadium|List of Major League Soccer stadiums}}
Since 1999, the league has overseen the construction of twelve stadiums specifically designed for soccer. The development of soccer-specific stadiums owned by the teams has generated a better gameday experience for the fans.<ref name="New York Times 2012">''The New York Times'', [https://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/13/sports/soccer/mls-keeps-moving-up-as-houston-dynamo-open-stadium.html?_r=0 "M.L.S. Continues to Bolster Growing Brand With New Stadium in Houston"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170118143116/http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/13/sports/soccer/mls-keeps-moving-up-as-houston-dynamo-open-stadium.html|date=January 18, 2017 }}, May 12, 2012.</ref> The soccer-specific stadiums have yielded positive financial results as teams were no longer required to pay to rent out facilities and gained control over revenue streams such as concessions, parking, naming rights, and the ability to host non-MLS events.<ref name="forbes.com" /><ref name="New York Times 2012" /> Several teams have doubled their season tickets following the team's move into a soccer-specific stadium.<ref>Sports Business Journal, [http://m.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Journal/Issues/2013/03/04/In-Depth/Presidents.aspx "MLS club presidents on the season ahead"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222105726/http://m.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Journal/Issues/2013/03/04/In-Depth/Presidents.aspx |date=December 22, 2015 }}, March 4, 2013.</ref> The establishment of soccer-specific stadiums is considered the key to the league and the ability of teams to turn a profit.<ref name="sportsbusinessdaily.com">Sports Business Journal, [http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Journal/Issues/2006/06/20060605/SBJ-In-Depth/Soccers-Visionary-Phil-Anschutz.aspx "Soccer's visionary: Phil Anschutz"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140223021304/http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Journal/Issues/2006/06/20060605/SBJ-In-Depth/Soccers-Visionary-Phil-Anschutz.aspx |date=February 23, 2014 }}, June 5, 2006.</ref> In 2006, Tim Leiweke, then CEO of Anschutz Entertainment Group, described the proliferation of soccer-specific stadiums as the turning point for MLS.<ref name="sportsbusinessdaily.com" />

Columbus Crew owner Lamar Hunt started this trend in 1999 by constructing Columbus Crew Stadium, now known as [[Historic Crew Stadium]], as MLS's first soccer-specific stadium.<ref name="Columbus Crew history" /> The Los Angeles Galaxy followed four years later with the opening of the Home Depot Center, now [[Dignity Health Sports Park]], in 2003.<ref>{{Cite web |title=StubHub Center – About |url=http://www.stubhubcenter.com/about/about-stub-hub-center |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140915033548/http://www.stubhubcenter.com/about/about-stub-hub-center |archive-date=September 15, 2014 |access-date=September 20, 2014}}</ref> FC Dallas opened Pizza Hut Park, now [[Toyota Stadium (Texas)|Toyota Stadium]], in 2005, and the Chicago Fire began playing their home games in Toyota Park, now [[SeatGeek Stadium]], in 2006. The 2007 season brought the opening of [[Dick's Sporting Goods Park]] for the Colorado Rapids and [[BMO Field]] for Toronto FC.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Executives |url=http://www.squidelephantdesign.com/sumworld/about/ |access-date=September 20, 2014 |archive-date=July 23, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170723035047/http://www.squidelephantdesign.com/sumworld/about/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Near the end of the 2008 season, Rio Tinto Stadium (now known as [[America First Field]]) became the home of Real Salt Lake, which meant that for the first time in MLS history a majority of MLS's teams (8 out of 14) played in soccer-specific stadiums.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Rio Tinto Stadium Set To Open |url=http://ctsportslaw.com/2008/10/04/rio-tinto-stadium-set-to-open/ |date=October 4, 2008 |website=Connecticut Sports Law |access-date=September 20, 2014 |archive-date=October 21, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141021135738/http://ctsportslaw.com/2008/10/04/rio-tinto-stadium-set-to-open/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> [[Red Bull Arena (New Jersey)|Red Bull Arena]], the new home of the New York Red Bulls opened for the start of the 2010 season,<ref name="Stadiums">{{Cite web |title=About Major League Soccer |url=http://pressbox.mlssoccer.com/content/about-major-league-soccer |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141027210834/http://pressbox.mlssoccer.com/content/about-major-league-soccer |archive-date=October 27, 2014 |access-date=September 20, 2014}}</ref> and the Philadelphia Union opened PPL Park, now [[Subaru Park]], in June 2010, midway through their inaugural season.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Opinion: Is NYC FC's stadium deal a black eye for MLS? |url=http://www.onceametro.com/2014/4/22/5639350/nyc-fc-stadium-deal-is-a-black-eye-for-mls |date=April 22, 2014 |website=Once A Metro |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141024042050/http://www.onceametro.com/2014/4/22/5639350/nyc-fc-stadium-deal-is-a-black-eye-for-mls |archive-date=October 24, 2014 |access-date=September 20, 2014}}</ref>

The following season, in 2011, the Portland Timbers made their MLS debut in a newly renovated Jeld-Wen Field, now renamed [[Providence Park]], which was originally a multi-purpose venue but turned into a soccer-specific facility.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Portland Timbers, Jeld-Wen joined at the right time on stadium naming rights |url=http://www.oregonlive.com/playbooks-profits/index.ssf/2014/02/portland_timbers_jeld-wen_join.html |date=February 11, 2014 |website=The Oregonian |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140814085900/http://www.oregonlive.com/playbooks-profits/index.ssf/2014/02/portland_timbers_jeld-wen_join.html |archive-date=August 14, 2014 |access-date=September 20, 2014}}</ref> Also in 2011, Sporting Kansas City moved to new Livestrong Sporting Park, now [[Children's Mercy Park]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sporting Kansas City's Sporting Park will serve as host of MLS Cup |url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2013/11/23/sporting-kansas-citys-sporting-park-will-serve-host-mls-cup |date=November 24, 2013 |website=MLSsoccer.com |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140906141345/http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2013/11/23/sporting-kansas-citys-sporting-park-will-serve-host-mls-cup |archive-date=September 6, 2014 |access-date=September 20, 2014}}</ref> The Houston Dynamo relocated to their new home at BBVA Compass Stadium, now [[Shell Energy Stadium]], in 2012.<ref name=Stadiums/> In the same year, the Montreal Impact joined the league in an expanded [[Saputo Stadium|Stade Saputo]], which reopened in June 2012, when renovations pushed the seating capacity to over 20,000. The Impact has used [[Olympic Stadium (Montreal)|Olympic Stadium]] for early season matches and for games that require a larger capacity.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The State of Soccer in Montreal |url=http://lastwordonsports.com/2012/07/17/whats-wrong-with-saputo-stadium/ |date=July 17, 2012 |website=Last Word on Sports |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808050229/http://lastwordonsports.com/2012/07/17/whats-wrong-with-saputo-stadium/ |archive-date=August 8, 2014 |access-date=September 20, 2014}}</ref> The San Jose Earthquakes, who had played at [[Buck Shaw Stadium]] from 2008 until 2014, opened their new Avaya Stadium (now [[PayPal Park]]) before the 2015 season.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Almond |first=Elliott |date=February 27, 2015 |title=Avaya Stadium: Breaking down Earthquakes' new digs |work=The Mercury News |url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2015/02/27/avaya-stadium-breaking-down-earthquakes-new-digs/ |access-date=March 17, 2020 |archive-date=March 18, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200318062047/https://www.mercurynews.com/2015/02/27/avaya-stadium-breaking-down-earthquakes-new-digs/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Orlando City SC intended to begin constructing its soccer-specific stadium, now known as [[Exploria Stadium]], in 2014 to be completed in 2015.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Schlueb |first=Mark |date=January 7, 2014 |title=Orlando officials, Orlando City Lions to brainstorm design for MLS stadium |work=Orlando Sentinel |url=http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/breakingnews/os-mls-soccer-stadium-orlando-20140107,0,4518538.story |url-status=dead |access-date=January 24, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140107205220/http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/breakingnews/os-mls-soccer-stadium-orlando-20140107%2C0%2C4518538.story |archive-date=January 7, 2014}}</ref> Delays caused by changes to the stadium plans pushed back the new venue's opening, first to late 2016 and finally to the start of the 2017 season.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Your City Your Stadium: Update on Proposed Stadium Opening |url=http://www.orlandocitysc.com/post/2016/01/13/your-city-your-stadium-update-proposed-stadium-opening |date=January 13, 2016 |publisher=Orlando City Soccer Club |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160114235507/http://www.orlandocitysc.com/post/2016/01/13/your-city-your-stadium-update-proposed-stadium-opening |archive-date=January 14, 2016 |access-date=January 13, 2016}}</ref> Orlando City played at the Florida Citrus Bowl Stadium, now [[Camping World Stadium]], while awaiting the construction of their new venue through the 2016 season. Exploria Stadium hosted its first MLS match on March 5, 2017, against New York City FC as Orlando City Stadium.

[[File:Soundersfcqwestfield.jpg|thumb|right|[[Lumen Field]], home of [[Seattle Sounders FC]]]]

The development of additional MLS stadiums has continued to progress.  D.C. United had played their home games at former NFL and Major League Baseball venue [[Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium|RFK Stadium]]. In 2013, D.C. United announced the signing of a public-private partnership term sheet to build a new soccer stadium in Washington, D.C., and a final deal was reached in late 2014. In late February 2017,  D.C. United finally broke ground on their new stadium, [[Audi Field]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Goff |first=Steven |date=December 17, 2014 |title=D.C. United stadium approval improves its playing field in MLS in many ways |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/soccer-insider/wp/2014/12/17/d-c-united-stadium-approval-improves-its-playing-field-in-mls-in-many-ways/ |access-date=September 4, 2017 |archive-date=July 28, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150728112000/http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/soccer-insider/wp/2014/12/17/d-c-united-stadium-approval-improves-its-playing-field-in-mls-in-many-ways/ |url-status=live }}</ref> After 21 years of playing at RFK Stadium, D.C. United played their first game at Audi Field in July 2018.

Two teams have announced their desire to build a soccer-specific stadium, although these teams have not finalized the stadium site and received all necessary government approvals. New York City FC play home games at [[Yankee Stadium]], a Major League Baseball venue, although they intend to move into a soccer-specific stadium in the future. The New England Revolution play home games at [[Gillette Stadium]] which is an NFL Stadium also owned by the Revolution's owner, [[Robert Kraft]]. The team are currently in discussion with the City of [[Boston]] regarding a potential soccer-specific stadium in [[South Boston]].<ref name="Boston Globe 2014">''Boston Globe'',{{Cite web |title=Kraft family looks to build soccer stadium in Boston |website=[[The Boston Globe]] |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/business/2014/11/18/krafts-exploring-soccer-stadium-boston/s7p5krvDeH1J7UgjlEIFtM/story.html |date=November 18, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141121103133/http://www.bostonglobe.com/business/2014/11/18/krafts-exploring-soccer-stadium-boston/s7p5krvDeH1J7UgjlEIFtM/story.html |archive-date=November 21, 2014 |access-date=November 18, 2014}}</ref>

Several remaining clubs play in stadiums not originally built for MLS and have not announced plans to move. The Seattle Sounders FC play at [[Lumen Field]], a dual-purpose facility used for both American football and soccer. The Vancouver Whitecaps FC joined the league with Portland in 2011 and temporarily held matches at [[Empire Field]] before moving into the refurbished [[BC Place]] in October 2011,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Vancouver Whitecaps History |url=http://www.whitecapsfc.com/history |date=October 11, 2010 |website=Vancouver Whitecaps FC |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140924082207/http://www.whitecapsfc.com/history |archive-date=September 24, 2014 |access-date=September 20, 2014}}</ref> a retractable-roof stadium that hosts [[Canadian football]] as well as soccer.<ref>{{Cite web |title=How to Make the CFL USA Work This Time and 15 Places Where It Could Thrive |url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1685288-cfl-usa-how-to-make-it-work-this-time-and-15-places-where-it-could |last=Charles Bennett |website=Bleacher Report |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140815204706/http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1685288-cfl-usa-how-to-make-it-work-this-time-and-15-places-where-it-could |archive-date=August 15, 2014 |access-date=September 20, 2014}}</ref>

Of the three teams that made their MLS debuts in 2017 and 2018, one opened a soccer-specific stadium in 2019, a second is playing in a shared football stadium, and the last opened a soccer-specific stadium for its inaugural 2018 season. Minnesota United FC, which debuted in 2017, built [[Allianz Field]] in [[Saint Paul, Minnesota|St. Paul]] which hosted its inaugural game against New York City FC on April 13, 2019.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Greder |first=Andy |date=July 28, 2016 |title=MLS expansion: Atlanta is lock for 2017, Minnesota expected to join them |work=Pioneer Press |url=http://www.twincities.com/2016/07/28/mls-expansion-atlanta-is-lock-for-2017-minnesota-expected-to-join-them/ |url-status=live |access-date=July 31, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160730213051/http://www.twincities.com/2016/07/28/mls-expansion-atlanta-is-lock-for-2017-minnesota-expected-to-join-them/ |archive-date=July 30, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Van Berkel |first=Jessie |date=December 12, 2016 |title=Minnesota United officials say 'big dig' at stadium site will begin in spring |work=[[Star Tribune]] |url=http://www.startribune.com/minnesota-united-to-hold-ceremonial-groundbreaking-for-st-paul-stadium/406049026/ |url-status=live |access-date=December 15, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161213212815/http://www.startribune.com/minnesota-united-to-hold-ceremonial-groundbreaking-for-st-paul-stadium/406049026/ |archive-date=December 13, 2016}}</ref> Until that time, the team played in [[Minneapolis]] at TCF Bank Stadium (now [[Huntington Bank Stadium]]), home to [[University of Minnesota]] [[Minnesota Golden Gophers football|football]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Quarstad |first=Brian |date=August 19, 2016 |title=Minnesota United to play inaugural MLS season at new home: TCF Bank Stadium |publisher=Major League Soccer |url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2016/08/19/minnesota-united-play-inaugural-mls-season-new-home-tcf-bank-stadium |url-status=live |access-date=August 28, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160823133049/http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2016/08/19/minnesota-united-play-inaugural-mls-season-new-home-tcf-bank-stadium |archive-date=August 23, 2016}}</ref> Atlanta United FC began play in 2017 at a college football facility, [[Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football|Georgia Tech]]'s [[Bobby Dodd Stadium]], before moving into its permanent home at the retractable-roof [[Mercedes-Benz Stadium]], which it shares with the NFL's [[Atlanta Falcons]]; the two teams share a [[Arthur Blank|common owner]] and the stadium is equipped with screens to cordon off the upper tiers for most matches.<ref>{{Cite press release |title=Atlanta United to Start MLS Season in March 2017 at Georgia Tech's Historic Bobby Dodd Stadium |date=October 5, 2016 |publisher=Atlanta United FC |url=http://www.atlutd.com/post/2016/10/05/atlanta-united-start-mls-season-march-2017-georgia-tech-s-historic-bobby-dodd |access-date=October 8, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161008175304/http://www.atlutd.com/post/2016/10/05/atlanta-united-start-mls-season-march-2017-georgia-tech-s-historic-bobby-dodd |archive-date=October 8, 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref> Los Angeles FC, which began play in 2018, opened Banc of California Stadium (now [[BMO Stadium]]) on the former site of the [[Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena|Los Angeles Sports Arena]] in April of its inaugural season.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Baxter |first=Kevin |date=December 18, 2017 |title=LAFC's stadium is coming together ahead of schedule |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/soccer/la-sp-lafc-20171218-story.html |access-date=February 1, 2018 |archive-date=February 1, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180201004212/http://www.latimes.com/sports/soccer/la-sp-lafc-20171218-story.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

FC Cincinnati made its MLS debut in 2019 at [[Nippert Stadium]], the [[Cincinnati Bearcats football|football]] home of the [[University of Cincinnati]]. The stadium had been home to FCC's [[FC Cincinnati (2016–18)|USL Championship predecessor]] for all of its three seasons of play. The club moved within Cincinnati to the new [[TQL Stadium]] in 2021.<ref name="fc-cincinnati" /> Inter Miami began play in 2020 at Inter Miami CF Stadium, now known as [[Chase Stadium]], at the former site of [[Lockhart Stadium]] in [[Fort Lauderdale, Florida|Fort Lauderdale]] before opening [[Miami Freedom Park]] in the future.<ref name="Miami announcement">{{Cite press release |title=It's official: Major League Soccer awards expansion team to Miami |date=January 29, 2018 |publisher=MLS Digital |url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2018/01/29/its-official-major-league-soccer-awards-expansion-team-miami |access-date=November 25, 2019 |website=MLSSoccer.com |archive-date=March 3, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180303091243/https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2018/01/29/its-official-major-league-soccer-awards-expansion-team-miami |url-status=live }}</ref> Nashville SC played the 2020 and 2021 seasons at an NFL facility, the [[Tennessee Titans]]' [[Nissan Stadium]], before opening [[Geodis Park]] in 2022.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Deas |first=Tommy |date=January 31, 2019 |title=Nashville MLS team to open play in 2020 and play home games at Nissan Stadium |work=[[The Tennessean]] |url=https://www.tennessean.com/story/sports/2019/01/31/mls-nashville-soccer-nissan-stadium-2020/2669544002/ |access-date=February 11, 2019}}</ref> Austin FC opened [[Q2 Stadium]] for its first season in 2021.<ref name="Austin FC announcement" /> St. Louis City SC opened [[Citypark (St. Louis)|CityPark]] in November 2022, a few months before the club's first season in 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.ksdk.com/article/news/local/business-journal/st-louis-city-sc-host-first-match-citypark-stadium/63-94372f87-2a3d-43ca-9ad0-941898f0d83b |title=With power restored at its stadium, here's when St. Louis City SC will host its first match there |first=Nathan |last=Rubbelke |publisher=[[KSDK]] |website=ksdk.com |language=en |date=October 27, 2022 |access-date=October 31, 2022 |archive-date=November 1, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221101034443/https://www.ksdk.com/article/news/local/business-journal/st-louis-city-sc-host-first-match-citypark-stadium/63-94372f87-2a3d-43ca-9ad0-941898f0d83b |url-status=live }}</ref> Construction of [[Eleven Park]] was tied to an application for an [[Indianapolis]]-based MLS team, initialized in 2024.<ref>{{Cite news |newspaper=Mirror Indy |date=2024-04-25 |accessdate=2024-04-25 |url=https://mirrorindy.org/indy-eleven-soccer-park-indianapolis-keystone-mayor-joe-hogsett-keystone/ |title=Hogsett makes his soccer pitch for MLS, upending future of Eleven Park deal |first=Peter |last=Blanchard |language=en-US |department=Government}}</ref>

===Profitability and revenues===
{{See also|Major League Soccer defunct clubs|List of professional sports leagues by revenue}}
{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="margin-left:1em;float:right;"
|-
|+ colspan="3"|Average [[Forbes&nbsp;list of the most valuable MLS clubs|franchise valuations]]
|-
!Year
!Value
|-
| 2008 || $37 million
|-
| 2013 || $103 million
|-
| 2015 || $157 million
|-
| 2016 || $185 million
|-
| 2017 || $223 million
|-
| 2018 || $240 million
|-
| 2019 || $313 million
|-
| 2021 || $550 million
|-
| 2022 || $582 million
|-
| 2023 || $678 million<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.sportico.com/feature/mls-soccer-team-value-ranking-1234689586/ | title=(2023) MLS Team Value Ranking List | date=January 24, 2024 | access-date=February 13, 2024}}</ref>
|-
| 2025 || $721 million
|}

Major League Soccer began to demonstrate positive signs of long-term profitability as early as 2004 with the single-entity ownership structure, salary cap, and the media and marketing umbrella Soccer United Marketing (SUM) all contributing towards MLS's financial security.<ref name="nytimes" /> As soccer-specific stadiums are built, ownership expands, and television coverage increases, MLS has seen its revenues increase while controlling costs.<ref name="forbes.com" />

Television coverage and revenue have increased since the league's early years. In 2006, MLS reached an 8-year TV deal with [[ESPN]] spanning the 2007–2014 seasons, and marked the first time that MLS earned rights fees, reported to be worth $7–8&nbsp;million annually.<ref>{{Cite web |title=ESPN, MLS Reach Eight-Year TV Deal That Includes Rights Fees |url=http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Issues/2006/08/Issue-216/Sports-Media/ESPN-MLS-Reach-Eight-Year-TV-Deal-That-Includes-Rights-Fees.aspx |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140224183626/http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Issues/2006/08/Issue-216/Sports-Media/ESPN-MLS-Reach-Eight-Year-TV-Deal-That-Includes-Rights-Fees.aspx |archive-date=February 24, 2014 |access-date=September 20, 2014}}</ref> In September 2012 the league extended its distribution agreement with London-based Media rights agency MP & Silva until 2014 in a deal worth $10&nbsp;million annually. Total league TV revenues are over $40&nbsp;million annually.<ref>{{Cite web |title=MLS agrees golden deal with MP & Silva – Sports Broadcast news – Soccer |date=January 27, 2009 |url=http://www.sportspromedia.com/news/mls_agrees_golden_deal_with_mp_silva/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130930090527/http://www.sportspromedia.com/news/mls_agrees_golden_deal_with_mp_silva |archive-date=September 30, 2013 |access-date=September 15, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=MP & Silva extends MLS deal – Sports Broadcast news – Soccer North America |date=September 13, 2012 |url=http://www.sportspromedia.com/news/mp_silva_extends_mls_deal/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131007161729/http://www.sportspromedia.com/news/mp_silva_extends_mls_deal/ |archive-date=October 7, 2013 |access-date=September 15, 2013}}</ref> In 2011, MLS earned $150&nbsp;million when it sold a 25% stake in SUM.<ref name="forbes.com" />

{{clear right}}
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="margin-left:1em;float:right;font-size:90%;"
|+ Jersey sponsorships
|-
!Team
! width="180"|Sponsor
!Annual value
|-
|[[Atlanta United FC]]
|[[American Family Insurance|AmFam]] (game – main)<br />[[Piedmont Hospital]] (game – sleeve)
|Undisclosed<ref>{{Cite news |date=July 12, 2016 |title=American Family Insurance to be Atlanta United's first jersey sponsor |work=MLSsoccer.com |url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2016/07/12/american-family-insurance-be-atlanta-uniteds-first-jersey-sponsor |url-status=live |access-date=July 12, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160716025812/http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2016/07/12/american-family-insurance-be-atlanta-uniteds-first-jersey-sponsor |archive-date=July 16, 2016}}</ref>
|-
|[[Austin FC]]
|[[Yeti (American company)|Yeti]] (game – main)<br />Netspend (game – sleeve) <br />St. David's Healthcare (prematch)
|Undisclosed<ref>{{Cite news |date=February 10, 2020 |title=Austin FC enter multi-year deal with YETI to be official jersey sponsor |work=MLSsoccer.com |url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2020/02/10/austin-fc-enter-multi-year-deal-yeti-be-official-jersey-sponsor |access-date=February 10, 2020 |archive-date=January 16, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210116083521/https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2020/02/10/austin-fc-enter-multi-year-deal-yeti-be-official-jersey-sponsor |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
|[[Charlotte FC]]
|[[Ally Financial|Ally]] (game – main)<br />[[Centene Corporation|Centene]] (game – sleeve)
|Undisclosed<ref>{{Cite press release |title=Ally announces multi-year agreement with Charlotte MLS soccer |date=December 17, 2019 |publisher=Charlotte MLS 2021 |url=https://charlottemls2021.com/ally-announces-multi-year-agreement-with-charlotte-mls-soccer/ |access-date=December 17, 2019 |archive-date=December 18, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191218021035/https://charlottemls2021.com/ally-announces-multi-year-agreement-with-charlotte-mls-soccer/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>
|-
|[[Chicago Fire FC]]
|[[Carvana]] (game – main)
|Undisclosed<ref>{{Cite web |last=chicagofirefc |title=Chicago Fire FC Kicks Off Multi-Year Partnership with Carvana as Official Online Auto Retailer and Front of Kit Sponsor {{!}} Chicago Fire FC |url=https://www.chicagofirefc.com/news/chicago-fire-fc-kicks-off-multi-year-partnership-with-carvana-as-official-online |access-date=2023-12-13 |website=chicagofirefc |language=en}}</ref>
|-
|[[Colorado Rapids]]
|[[UCHealth]] (game – main)
|Undisclosed<ref>{{Cite news |date=November 15, 2022 |title=Colorado Rapids and UCHealth launch health-focused initiative as part of multi-year jersey rights deal |publisher=Colorado Rapids |url=https://www.coloradorapids.com/news/colorado-rapids-and-uchealth-launch-health-focused-initiative-as-part-of-multi-y |access-date=November 15, 2022 |archive-date=November 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221114190116/https://www.coloradorapids.com/news/colorado-rapids-and-uchealth-launch-health-focused-initiative-as-part-of-multi-y |url-status=live }}</ref> 
|-
|[[Columbus Crew]]
|[[Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company|Nationwide]] (game – main)<br />[[Tipico]] (game – sleeve)<br />[[Ohio Health]] (prematch)
|$3 million<ref>{{Cite news |date=February 27, 2020 |title=Crew announces jersey sponsorship deal with Nationwide |publisher=The Columbus Dispatch |url=https://www.dispatch.com/sports/20200227/crew-announces-jersey-sponsorship-deal-with-nationwide |access-date=February 27, 2020 |archive-date=February 27, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200227212720/https://www.dispatch.com/sports/20200227/crew-announces-jersey-sponsorship-deal-with-nationwide |url-status=dead }}</ref>
|-
|[[D.C. United]]
|[[Guidehouse]] (game – main)<br />The Fruitist (game - sleeve)
|Undisclosed<ref>{{Cite news |date=February 15, 2024 |title=D.C. United Announce Multi-Year Front-of-Kit Partnership with Guidehouse, a DMV-Based Global Consultancy |publisher=D.C United |url=https://www.dcunited.com/news/d-c-united-announce-multi-year-front-of-kit-partnership-with-guidehouse |access-date=February 19, 2024}}</ref>
|-
|[[FC Cincinnati]]
|[[Mercy Health (Ohio & Kentucky)|Mercy Health]] (game – main)<br />[[Kroger]] (game – sleeve)
|Undisclosed<ref>{{Cite press release |title=FC Cincinnati sign jersey sponsorship deal pending MLS acceptance |date=November 14, 2017 |publisher=Major League Soccer |url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2017/11/14/fc-cincinnati-sign-jersey-sponsorship-deal-pending-mls-acceptance |access-date=January 1, 2019 |archive-date=January 2, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190102050357/https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2017/11/14/fc-cincinnati-sign-jersey-sponsorship-deal-pending-mls-acceptance |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
|[[FC Dallas]]
|[[Children's Health (health care system)|Children's Health]] (game - main)<br />[[University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center|UT Southwestern]] (game – main)<br />[[AdvoCare]] (game – sleeve)
|Undisclosed<ref name="jersey">{{Cite news |date=January 11, 2023 |title=FC Dallas Announces Partnership with Children's Health and UT Southwestern Medical Center |url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/fc-dallas-announce-new-jersey-sponsors-ahead-of-2023-season |access-date=January 11, 2023 |archive-date=January 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230111230924/https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/fc-dallas-announce-new-jersey-sponsors-ahead-of-2023-season |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
|[[Houston Dynamo FC]]
|[[MD Anderson Cancer Center]] (game – main)
|Undisclosed<ref>{{Cite news |date=November 28, 2018 |title=MD Anderson, Houston Dynamo team up for one goal: end cancer |work=MLS |url=https://www.houstondynamo.com/post/2018/11/28/md-anderson-houston-dynamo-team-one-goal-end-cancer |access-date=November 28, 2018 |archive-date=November 29, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181129013110/https://www.houstondynamo.com/post/2018/11/28/md-anderson-houston-dynamo-team-one-goal-end-cancer |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
|[[Inter Miami CF]]
|[[Royal Caribbean Group|Royal Caribbean]] (game – main)<br />Fracht Group (game – sleeve)<br />[[AutoNation]] (prematch)
|Undisclosed<ref>{{Cite news |date=January 23, 2024 |title=South Florida Proud: Royal Caribbean Takes Center Stage on Inter Miami CF's Iconic Jerseys |work=Inter Miami CF |url=https://www.intermiamicf.com/news/south-florida-proud-royal-caribbean-takes-center-stage-on-inter-miami-cf-s-iconi |access-date=February 25, 2024}}</ref>
|-
|[[LA Galaxy]]
|[[Herbalife]] (game – main)<br />[[Honey (company)|Honey]] (game – sleeve)
|{{sort|4.4|$4.4&nbsp;million}}<ref>{{Cite news |date=March 16, 2012 |title=Herbalife Renews Sponsorship With MLS Galaxy for a Record 10 Years, $44M |work=Sports Business Daily |url=http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Issues/2012/03/16/Marketing-and-Sponsorship/Galaxy.aspx |url-status=live |access-date=March 16, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120317190410/http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Issues/2012/03/16/Marketing-and-Sponsorship/Galaxy.aspx |archive-date=March 17, 2012}}</ref>
|-
|[[Los Angeles FC]]
|[[Bank of Montreal]] (game – main)<br />[[Ford Motor Company|Ford]] (game – sleeve)<br />[[Rockstar (drink)|Rockstar]] (prematch)
|Undisclosed<ref>{{Cite news |date=March 26, 2021 |title=LAFC Announces FLEX Power Tools As Official Jersey Sponsor |work=LAFC |url=https://www.lafc.com/post/2021/03/26/lafc-announces-flex-power-tools-official-jersey-sponsor |access-date=March 26, 2021 |archive-date=March 26, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210326160510/https://www.lafc.com/post/2021/03/26/lafc-announces-flex-power-tools-official-jersey-sponsor |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
|[[Minnesota United FC]]
|[[Target Corporation|Target]] (game – main)<br />[[Allianz]] (game – sleeve)<br />[[Blue Cross Blue Shield Association|Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota]] (prematch)
|Undisclosed<ref>{{Cite news |date=January 19, 2017 |title=Target becomes official MLS partner-Lands-Minnesota United jersey front |work=MLSsoccer.com |url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2017/01/19/target-becomes-official-mls-partner-lands-minnesota-united-jersey-front |url-status=live |access-date=January 19, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170125155127/http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2017/01/19/target-becomes-official-mls-partner-lands-minnesota-united-jersey-front |archive-date=January 25, 2017}}</ref>
|-
|[[CF Montréal]]
|[[Bank of Montreal]] (game – main)<br />[[Telus Communications|Telus]] (game – sleeve)
|{{sort|4|US$4 million}}<ref>{{Cite news |date=June 15, 2011 |title=BMO sign multi-million deal with Montreal Impact |url=http://www.sportspromedia.com/news/bmo_sign_multi-million_deal_with_montreal_impact/ |url-status=live |access-date=July 7, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714232321/http://www.sportspromedia.com/news/bmo_sign_multi-million_deal_with_montreal_impact/ |archive-date=July 14, 2014}}</ref>
|-
|[[Nashville SC]]
|[[Renasant Bank|Renasant]] (game – main)<br />[[Hyundai Motor Company|Hyundai]] (game – sleeve)<br />Vanderbilt Health (prematch)
|Undisclosed<ref>{{Cite news |date=January 18, 2020 |title=Nashville SC Unveils First Major League Soccer Jersey |work=NashvilleSC.com |publisher=Nashville SC Communications |url=https://www.nashvillesc.com/post/2020/01/18/nashville-sc-unveils-first-major-league-soccer-jersey |access-date=January 18, 2020 |archive-date=February 29, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200229165041/https://www.nashvillesc.com/post/2020/01/18/nashville-sc-unveils-first-major-league-soccer-jersey |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
|[[New England Revolution]]
|[[UnitedHealth Group|UnitedHealthcare]] (game – main)<br />[[Santander Bank|Santander]] (game – sleeve)<br />Socios.com (prematch)
|Undisclosed<ref>{{Cite press release |title=UnitedHealthcare, New England Revolution Announce Partnership |date=April 22, 2011 |publisher=UnitedHealthcare |url=http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20110422005176/en/UnitedHealthcare-England-Revolution-Announce-Partnership |access-date=October 11, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110819001721/http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20110422005176/en/UnitedHealthcare-England-Revolution-Announce-Partnership |archive-date=August 19, 2011 |via=[[Business Wire]] |url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
|[[New York City FC]]
|[[Etihad Airways]] (game – main)<br /> Capital Rx (game – sleeve)<br />[[NewYork–Presbyterian Hospital]] (prematch)
|Undisclosed<ref>{{Cite news |date=November 13, 2014 |title=New York City Football Club Takes Flight with Etihad Airways Partnership |work=New York City FC |url=http://www.nycfc.com/post/2014/11/12/new-york-city-football-club-takes-flight-etihad-airways-partnership |url-status=dead |access-date=November 13, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141113184154/http://www.nycfc.com/post/2014/11/12/new-york-city-football-club-takes-flight-etihad-airways-partnership |archive-date=November 13, 2014}}</ref>
|-
|[[New York Red Bulls]]
|[[Red Bull]] (game – main)<br />Oanda (game – sleeve)
|Owns club
|-
|[[Orlando City SC]]
|[[Orlando Health]] (game – main)<br />Exploria (game – sleeve)
|Undisclosed<ref>{{Cite web |title=Orlando City locks in Orlando Health as healthcare partner and jersey sponsor for MLS |url=http://www.mynews13.com/content/news/cfnews13/sports/article.html/content/news/articles/bhsn/2013/11/18/orlando_city_locks_i.html |date=November 18, 2013 |publisher=[[News 13|News 13 Orlando]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140305091505/http://www.mynews13.com/content/news/cfnews13/sports/article.html/content/news/articles/bhsn/2013/11/18/orlando_city_locks_i.html |archive-date=March 5, 2014 |access-date=February 27, 2014}}</ref>
|-
|[[Philadelphia Union]]
|[[Bimbo Bakeries USA]] (game – main)<br />[[Independence Blue Cross]] (game – sleeve)
|{{sort|3|$3&nbsp;million}}<ref>{{Cite web |title=Union soccer team wins sponsorship from Bimbo bakery |url=http://www.philly.com/inquirer/front_page/20110111_Union_soccer_team_wins_sponsorship_from_Bimbo_bakery.html |date=January 11, 2011 |website=Philadelphia Daily News |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110115021621/http://www.philly.com/inquirer/front_page/20110111_Union_soccer_team_wins_sponsorship_from_Bimbo_bakery.html |archive-date=January 15, 2011 |access-date=October 11, 2011}}</ref>
|-
|[[Portland Timbers]]
|[[Tillamook County Creamery Association|Tillamook]] (game – main)<br />[[TikTok]] (game – sleeve)<br />[[Dutch Bros. Coffee|Dutch Brothers Coffee]] (prematch)
|Undisclosed<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.timbers.com/news/portland-timbers-unveil-tillamook-as-jersey-partner | title=Portland Timbers unveil Tillamook as jersey partner }}</ref>
|-
|[[Real Salt Lake]]
|[[Intermountain Health|Select Health]] (game – main)<br />[[Intermountain Health]] (game – sleeve)
|Undisclosed<ref>{{Cite news |date=February 14, 2024 |title=Real Salt Lake & Utah Royals FC Unveil Major Long-Term "Community-Focused" Partnership With Intermountain Health |work=Real Salt Lake |url=https://www.rsl.com/utahroyals/news/real-salt-lake-utah-royals-fc-unveil-major-long-term-community-focused-partnersh|access-date=February 19, 2024}}</ref>
|-
|[[San Diego FC]]
|[[DirecTV]] (game – main)
|Undisclosed<ref>{{cite news |last=Finley |first=Ryan |date=July 18, 2024 |title=San Diego FC announces jersey sponsor ahead of first Major League Soccer season |url=https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2024/07/18/san-diego-fc-announces-jersey-sponsor-ahead-of-first-major-league-soccer-season/ |work=The San Diego Union-Tribune |accessdate=July 18, 2024}}</ref>
|-
|[[San Jose Earthquakes]]
|[[El Camino Hospital|El Camino Health]] (game – main)<br />Habbas Law (game – sleeve)<br />[[Udemy]] (prematch)
|Undisclosed<ref>{{Cite web |title=NEWS: San Jose Earthquakes Score Big with Intermedia Cloud Communications Partnership |url=https://www.sjearthquakes.com/post/2020/01/22/news-san-jose-earthquakes-score-big-intermedia-cloud-communications-partnership |website=Earthquakes Communications |access-date=January 22, 2020 |archive-date=July 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200713033836/https://www.sjearthquakes.com/post/2020/01/22/news-san-jose-earthquakes-score-big-intermedia-cloud-communications-partnership |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
|[[Seattle Sounders FC]]
|[[Providence Health & Services|Providence]] (game – main)<br />[[Emerald Queen Casino]] (game – sleeve)<br />[[Catholic Health Initiatives|CHI Franciscan]] (prematch)
|Undisclosed<ref>{{Cite news |last=Evans |first=Jayda |date=January 20, 2023 |title=Sounders announce partnership with Providence Swedish. Here's a look at the new jerseys. |work=The Seattle Times |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/sounders/sounders-announce-partnership-with-providence-swedish-heres-a-look-at-the-new-jerseys/ |access-date=January 22, 2023 |archive-date=January 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230120222151/https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/sounders/sounders-announce-partnership-with-providence-swedish-heres-a-look-at-the-new-jerseys/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
|[[Sporting Kansas City]]
|[[Compass Minerals]] (game – main)<br />[[Children's Mercy Hospital|Children's Mercy]] (game – sleeve)
|Undisclosed<ref>{{Cite news |last=Carp |first=Sam |date=February 11, 2022 |title=Sporting Kansas City name Compass Minerals as shirt sponsor in expanded deal |work=[[Sportspro]] |url=https://www.sportspromedia.com/news/sporting-kansas-city-shirt-sponsor-compass-minerals-2028/ |access-date=February 11, 2022 |archive-date=February 11, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220211235255/https://www.sportspromedia.com/news/sporting-kansas-city-shirt-sponsor-compass-minerals-2028/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
|[[St. Louis City SC]]
|[[Nestlé Purina PetCare|Purina]] (game – main)<br />[[BJC HealthCare]] (game – sleeve)
|Undisclosed<ref>{{Cite press release |title=A partnership born and bred in St. Louis. |date=March 31, 2021 |publisher=St.Louis City SC |url=https://www.stlcitysc.com/purina/ |access-date=March 31, 2021 |archive-date=April 26, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210426151919/https://www.stlcitysc.com/purina/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>
|-
|[[Toronto FC]]
|[[Bank of Montreal]] (game – main and sleeve) <br /> [[GE Appliances]] (game – sleeve)
|{{sort|4|C$4&nbsp;million+}}<ref>{{Cite news |date=October 28, 2013 |title=Toronto FC keeps bank's name on jerseys |work=Sports Business Journal |url=http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Journal/Issues/2010/06/20100628/This-Weeks-News/Toronto-FC-Keeps-Banks-Name-On-Jerseys.aspx |url-status=live |access-date=July 7, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140508214245/http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Journal/Issues/2010/06/20100628/This-Weeks-News/Toronto-FC-Keeps-Banks-Name-On-Jerseys.aspx |archive-date=May 8, 2014}}</ref>
|-
|[[Vancouver Whitecaps FC]]
|[[Telus Communications|Telus]] (game – main)
|Undisclosed<ref>{{Cite news |last=Adams |first=JJ |date=February 16, 2023 |title=Whitecaps get a new look and new sponsor as new season looms |work=The Province |url=http://www.theprovince.com/sports/Whitecaps+beat+Lions/4460075/story.html |access-date=February 16, 2023 |archive-date=April 24, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110424024250/http://www.theprovince.com/sports/Whitecaps+beat+Lions/4460075/story.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
|}

In early 2005, MLS signed a 10-year, $150&nbsp;million sponsorship deal with [[Adidas]] for its jerseys and other equipment.<ref name="nytimes" /> In 2007, MLS teams started selling ad space on the front of jerseys to go along with the league-wide sponsorship partners who had already been advertising on the back of club jerseys, following the practice of international sport, specifically soccer. MLS established a floor of $500,000 per shirt sponsorship, with the league receiving a flat fee of $200,000 per deal.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Weinbach |first=John |date=September 28, 2006 |title=Major League Soccer to sell ad space on jerseys |work=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette |url=http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06271/725842-28.stm |url-status=live |access-date=May 11, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080428093129/http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06271/725842-28.stm |archive-date=April 28, 2008}}</ref> As of July 2014, sixteen teams had signed sponsorship deals to have company logos placed on the front of their jerseys (and another team is directly owned by its shirt sponsor), and the league average from jersey sponsors was about $2.4&nbsp;million.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Crew catching up financially to rest of MLS |url=http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/business/2012/09/13/scoring-goals.html |last=Wartenberg |first=Steve |website=The Columbus Dispatch |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141031064036/http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/business/2012/09/13/scoring-goals.html |archive-date=October 31, 2014 |access-date=September 20, 2014}}</ref> Sleeve sponsorship was introduced to MLS in the 2020 season, with the teams able to sell a {{convert|2|by|2|in|mm|adj=on}} section on the right arm where the league logo patch is normally positioned.<ref>{{Cite news |date=October 24, 2018 |title=MLS to add jersey sleeve advertisements in 2020 |work=NBC Sports |publisher=NBCUniversal |agency=Associated Press |url=https://soccer.nbcsports.com/2018/10/24/mls-to-add-jersey-sleeve-advertisements-in-2020/ |access-date=October 25, 2018 |archive-date=October 25, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181025150213/https://soccer.nbcsports.com/2018/10/24/mls-to-add-jersey-sleeve-advertisements-in-2020/ |url-status=live }}</ref>	

The Los Angeles Galaxy made a profit in 2003 in their first season at The Home Depot Center,<ref name=profit/> and FC Dallas turned a profit after moving into Pizza Hut Park in 2005.<ref name=thriving/> For each season between 2006 and 2009, two to three MLS clubs (generally clubs with a soccer-specific stadium) were reported as profitable by the league.<ref name="thriving">{{Cite news |last=Longman |first=Jere |date=July 8, 2007 |title=Beckham Arrives to Find a Sport Thriving in Its Own Way |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/08/sports/soccer/08beckham.html?ex=1186372800&en=8ac84814e27d5891&ei=5070 |url-status=live |access-date=May 11, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150611010332/http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/08/sports/soccer/08beckham.html?ex=1186372800&en=8ac84814e27d5891&ei=5070 |archive-date=June 11, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last1=Schwartz |first1=Peter J. |last2=Badenhausen |first2=Kurt |date=September 9, 2008 |title=Major League Soccer's Most Valuable Teams |work=Forbes |url=https://www.forbes.com/2008/09/09/mls-soccer-beckham-biz-sports-cz_kb_0909mlsvalues.html |url-status=live |access-date=October 11, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110925152556/http://www.forbes.com/2008/09/09/mls-soccer-beckham-biz-sports-cz_kb_0909mlsvalues.html |archive-date=September 25, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Sounders FC's success resonates globally |url=http://old.seattletimes.com/html/sounders/2013242565_soundersfc24.html |website=The Seattle Times |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202060935/http://old.seattletimes.com/html/sounders/2013242565_soundersfc24.html |archive-date=February 2, 2017 |access-date=September 20, 2014}}</ref> In November 2013, ''[[Forbes]]'' published a report that revealed that ten of the league's nineteen teams earned an operating profit in 2012, while two broke even and seven had a loss. Forbes estimated that the league's collective annual revenues were $494&nbsp;million, and that the league's collective annual profit was $34 million. Forbes valued the league's franchises to be worth $103&nbsp;million on average, almost three times as much as the $37&nbsp;million average valuation in 2008. The Seattle Sounders FC franchise was named the most valuable at $175&nbsp;million, a 483% gain over the $30 million league entrance fee it paid in 2009.<ref name="forbes.com" />

The trend in increased team values has continued with MLS teams seeing a strong 52% increase in franchise values from 2012 to 2014. In August 2015 ''Forbes'' updated its MLS franchise values with the most profitable team measuring $245 million and the least $105 million. The average value jumped from $103 to $157 million.<ref name="forbes-2015-08" /> In 2018, ''Forbes'' estimated Atlanta United FC is the most valuable MLS team, worth $330 million, while the Colorado Rapids are the lowest value, at $155 million.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Smith |first=Chris |title=Major League Soccer's Most Valuable Teams 2018: Atlanta United Debuts On Top |work=Forbes |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/chrissmith/2018/11/14/mls-most-valuable-teams-2018/?src=rss |access-date=November 14, 2018 |archive-date=November 30, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181130031806/https://www.forbes.com/sites/chrissmith/2018/11/14/mls-most-valuable-teams-2018/?src=rss |url-status=live }}</ref> These valuations do not include the value of stadiums or training facilities owned by the respective clubs. A ''[[Sportico]]'' ranking of club valuations in 2024 placed 20 MLS teams in the top 50 globally, with [[Los Angeles FC]] the most valuable at $1.15&nbsp;billion (15th overall).<ref>{{cite news |last=Badenhausen |first=Kurt |date=May 8, 2024 |title=Most Valuable Soccer Clubs 2024: Man United Leads, Top 50 Worth $80B |url=https://www.sportico.com/feature/worlds-most-valuable-soccer-teams-football-club-1234721285/ |work=[[Sportico]] |accessdate=May 8, 2024}}</ref>

Prior to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], MLS teams typically used commercial flights to transport players and staff between matches, with only four [[charter flight]]s allowed under league rules.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Karstens-Smith |first=Gemma |date=April 26, 2019 |title=Montreal Impact, Vancouver Whitecaps voice concerns about Major League Soccer travel woes |work=[[The Globe and Mail]] |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/soccer/article-montreal-impact-vancouver-whitecaps-voice-concerns-about-major-league/ |access-date=April 26, 2019 |archive-date=April 26, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190426141803/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/soccer/article-montreal-impact-vancouver-whitecaps-voice-concerns-about-major-league/ |url-status=live }}</ref> These commercial flights were often non-direct, requiring transfers and layovers, and contributed to long travel days.<ref>{{cite news |last=Ruthven |first=Graham |date=July 1, 2019 |title=Window or aisle, Zlatan? Why MLS teams still fly commercial |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2019/jul/01/mls-flights-commercial-travel-soccer |work=The Guardian |accessdate=December 19, 2023}}</ref> The number of charters allowed for league matches was increased to eight legs prior to the 2020 season and lifted entirely due to the COVID-19 pandemic.<ref>{{cite news |date=February 6, 2020 |title=MLS players take off: charter flights, sharing media rights |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mls/2020/02/06/mls-players-agree-to-new-contract/41149717/ |work=USA Today |agency=Associated Press |accessdate=December 19, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Johnson |first=Patrick |date=August 9, 2022 |title=Whitecaps' COVID-19 'benefit?' Charters, for starters, give club a road lift |url=https://theprovince.com/sports/soccer/mls/vancouver-whitecaps/covid-19-benefit-charters-for-starters-give-club-a-road-lift |work=[[The Province]] |location=Vancouver |accessdate=December 19, 2023}}</ref> [[Sun Country Airlines]] has provided charter service to MLS teams since 2020 and became the league's official carrier in 2022.<ref>{{cite news |last=Sitaramiah |first=Gita |date=October 27, 2021 |title=Sun Country Airlines to be official carrier of Major League Soccer |url=https://www.startribune.com/sun-country-airlines-to-be-official-carrier-of-major-league-soccer/600110383/ |work=Star-Tribune |accessdate=December 19, 2023}}</ref>

===Rules and officials===
When the league began play, it tried to gain popularity by "Americanizing" the game: the game clock counted down in each half and stopped for certain dead ball situations and games level at the end of regulation were resolved with a running penalty shootout.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.sjearthquakes.com/news/then-and-now-how-mls-has-changed-1996-0 |title=Then and Now: How MLS Has Changed Since 1996 &#124; San Jose Earthquakes |access-date=November 10, 2023 |archive-date=November 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231110184902/https://www.sjearthquakes.com/news/then-and-now-how-mls-has-changed-1996-0 |url-status=live }}</ref>  Now MLS follows the [[Laws of the Game (association football)|rules and standards]] of the [[International Football Association Board]] (IFAB).
Since 2005, the playoff extra time structure follows IFAB standards: two full 15-minute periods, followed by a [[Penalty shoot-out (association football)|penalty shootout]] if necessary.

[[United States Soccer Federation|U.S. Soccer]] hired the first full-time professional referees in league history in 2007 as part of the league's "Game First" initiatives.<ref>{{Cite news |date=April 2, 2007 |title='Game First' initiatives enhance on-field product |publisher=Major League Soccer Communications |url=http://web.mlsnet.com/news/mls_news.jsp?ymd=20070402&content_id=87043&vkey=pr_mls&fext=.jsp |url-status=dead |access-date=May 11, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080426134827/http://web.mlsnet.com/news/mls_news.jsp?ymd=20070402&content_id=87043&vkey=pr_mls&fext=.jsp |archive-date=April 26, 2008}}</ref>
Major League Soccer has been implementing fines and suspensions since the 2011 season for simulation (diving) through its Disciplinary Committee, which reviews plays after the match. The first player fined under the new rule was [[Charlie Davies]], fined $1,000 for intentionally deceiving match officials.<ref>{{Cite web |title=MLS Disciplinary Committee fines Davies for dive vs. RSL |url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2011/06/24/mls-disciplinary-committee-fines-davies-simulation |date=June 24, 2011 |website=MLSsoccer.com |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141230231605/http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2011/06/24/mls-disciplinary-committee-fines-davies-simulation |archive-date=December 30, 2014 |access-date=September 20, 2014}}</ref>

MLS uses the list of banned substances published by the [[World Anti-Doping Agency]].<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/2005/03/29/sports/soccer/contract-has-strict-drug-policy.html Contract Has Strict Drug Policy] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190129010445/https://www.nytimes.com/2005/03/29/sports/soccer/contract-has-strict-drug-policy.html |date=January 29, 2019 }} – Jack Bell, The New York Times, March 29, 2005</ref>

===Branding===
The current MLS logo debuted in 2014, ahead of the league's 20th season, replacing an earlier logo that featured a stylized boot and ball. The current logo is a simple crest with a diagonal stripe, the MLS wordmark, and three stars that represent "community, club, and country". The logo was designed to be remixed in different color schemes that match teams when used on merchandise and jerseys.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Straus |first=Brian |date=September 17, 2014 |title=Ahead of 20th season, MLS unveils new logo, branding to alter look |magazine=Sports Illustrated |url=https://www.si.com/soccer/planet-futbol/2014/09/17/new-mls-logo-crest-shield-major-league-soccer |access-date=February 27, 2020 |archive-date=February 28, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200228043904/https://www.si.com/soccer/planet-futbol/2014/09/17/new-mls-logo-crest-shield-major-league-soccer |url-status=live }}</ref>

The first MLS anthem was unveiled in 2007 and was composed by [[Audiobrain]]. The current league anthem debuted in 2020 and was composed by film score composer [[Hans Zimmer]]. It will be used during league broadcasts and as a prelude to kickoff at stadiums.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Wright |first=Chris |date=February 26, 2020 |title=Major League Soccer reveals epic new anthem by legendary Hollywood composer Hans Zimmer |publisher=ESPN |url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/blog-the-toe-poke/story/4060719/major-league-soccer-reveals-epic-new-anthem-by-legendary-hollywood-composer-hans-zimmer |access-date=February 27, 2020 |archive-date=February 26, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200226183128/https://www.espn.com/soccer/blog-the-toe-poke/story/4060719/major-league-soccer-reveals-epic-new-anthem-by-legendary-hollywood-composer-hans-zimmer |url-status=live }}</ref>

====Team names====
{{for-text|more information on MLS team names|the individual team entries}}

In the early years of MLS, teams were typically given official nicknames in the style of other U.S. sports leagues (e.g., [[Columbus Crew]], [[Los Angeles Galaxy]], [[New England Revolution]]). Several club names in MLS originated with previous professional soccer clubs, such as the 1970s-era [[North American Soccer League (1968–84)|NASL]] team names [[San Jose Earthquakes (1974–88)|San Jose Earthquakes]], [[Seattle Sounders (1974–83)|Seattle Sounders]], [[Portland Timbers (1975–82)|Portland Timbers]], and [[Vancouver Whitecaps (1974–84)|Vancouver Whitecaps]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Toye: Fans are delighted the old NASL names, Sounders, Timbers, Whitecaps and Quakes were saved |url=http://www.prostamerika.com/2012/09/24/toye-fans-are-delighted-the-old-nasl-names-sounders-timbers-whitecaps-and-quakes-were-saved/71346 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202155940/http://www.prostamerika.com/2012/09/24/toye-fans-are-delighted-the-old-nasl-names-sounders-timbers-whitecaps-and-quakes-were-saved/71346 |archive-date=February 2, 2014 |access-date=September 20, 2014}}</ref>

[[D.C. United]] was the only MLS team to adopt European naming conventions during the 1990s.<ref name="dc united name">{{Cite book |last=Dure |first=Beau |title=Long Range Goals: The Success Story of Major League Soccer |publisher=Potomac Books |year=2010 |isbn=978-1-59797-509-4 |location=Dulles, Virginia |pages=21–23}}</ref> In more recent years, European-style names have become increasingly common in MLS, with expansion teams such as [[Real Salt Lake]], [[Toronto FC]], [[New York City FC]], [[Atlanta United FC]], [[Minnesota United FC]], and [[FC Cincinnati]], along with rebrandings such as [[FC Dallas]] (formerly the Dallas Burn),<ref>{{cite news |last=Davis |first=Glenn |date=August 12, 2004 |title=On Soccer: Dallas Burn nickname about to become history |url=https://www.chron.com/sports/dynamo/article/on-soccer-dallas-burn-nickname-about-to-become-1974994.php |work=[[Houston Chronicle]] |accessdate=July 12, 2023 |archive-date=July 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230713045533/https://www.chron.com/sports/dynamo/article/on-soccer-dallas-burn-nickname-about-to-become-1974994.php |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Sporting Kansas City]] (formerly the Kansas City Wizards),<ref>{{Cite web |title=Will the Kansas City Wizards become Sporting Kansas City? |url=http://www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/blog/2010/11/will-the-kansas-city-wizards-become.html?page=all |date=November 16, 2010 |website=Kansas City Business Journal |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140822033753/http://www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/blog/2010/11/will-the-kansas-city-wizards-become.html?page=all |archive-date=August 22, 2014 |access-date=September 20, 2014}}</ref> and [[CF Montréal]] (formerly the Montreal Impact).

Austrian beverage company [[Red Bull GmbH]] owns and sponsors the [[New York Red Bulls]] as well as other sports teams outside the U.S.<ref name="nytimes.com" />