MLS Discovery Rights

[Sam Brown]

Can someone explain the logic behind implementing this system? It's possibly the dumbest thing I've ever heard of. Boyd didn't want to play in Houston, but now plays in Portland. In order to make that happen, Portland had to give up first round superdraft picks to get his discovery rights. Why should they have to give up anything? Doesn't it almost encourage teams in the same conference to hold on to discovery rights purely to restrict other clubs from signing good players (should those players opt not to play for a club that offered them a contract initially)?

[BringBackTheBlizzard]

It is related to the way the league is structured in ownership terms. The league is a "single entity" with investor-operators only owning 49% of their franchise with the other 51% being held collectively by the other owners in the league. As a result the league rather than the individual member clubs hold the player contracts and there needs to be a system that determines which team the league negotiates the contract for. Beyond that the rationale of only one MLS team being able to negoatiate with a player at any given time (ultimately through league HQ when it is time to close the deal) is that it helps prevent the wage inflation spirals caused by bidding wars that caused serious problems for leagues like the NASL and MISL in the past. It is also one of the many ways that the league is able to maintain a reasonable level of competitive parity.

[ThiKu]

It's a ridiculous rule. Plain and simple. How a team can OWN a player without owning a player by restricting the players ability to negotiate with anyone they want is a shambles. And that's putting it nicely. There is no reasonable rationale for restricting employment opportunities for players who are not currently in the league. The players don't even receive compensation. The reality is Team A can buy the rights to a Player X. Player X nor their agent receives a dime. Team B may want Player X and then have to negotiate with Team A. And still the player nor the agent receives a dime. All the while the player sits on the sideline....Barbara was totally correct in slamming the process while Montreal held his rights but weren't willing to offer him what he believed to be reasonable. That being said, he hasn't been given a Whitecaps contract yet so maybe they aren't willing to give him what he believes he is worth either....

Some may say "then go play in another country." But that's easier said than done most of the time.

The rule should be abolished - or at least adapted so MLS holds the rights but no specific team holds the rights. As there is a salary cap in place I can't see this in any way causing salaries to "spiral". There is a limit to what teams can spend unless they want to hire a DP.

[Opie]

I believe it was also implemented to force clubs to scout players in D2, D3, and abroad. Teams that did a better job at scouting and making claims on players would then be rewarded.

But the rule is silly now in 2012. What if Messi somehow signed with MLS to play with the Red Bulls, only to find out that TFC has his discovery rights and will not trade him. Would MLS say, sorry Messi, can't come here?

I think MLS is beyond some of the rules that they needed to keep them from being the old NASL. Look at the roster the LA Galaxy is putting together for 2012. Better than most Championship clubs and more exciting than a few EPL teams. MLS will start liking their superclubs and drop all the rules.

[Sam Brown]

It's just ridiculous. There must be some limit of discovery rights, or maybe even a time limit on it. Because if there wasn't obviously you'd be claiming discovery rights to Rooney, Messi, Ronaldo etc, right? I don't think it matters whether NY or LA have discovery rights or not to be completely honest. Those are the two destinations that have star quality and thats where superstar players are going to want to play, otherwise they will just turn other MLS teams down. I feel bad for teams like Columbus that have no chance of ever signing a Lampard, or a Beckham or what have you because the location of the franchise has no star quality and isn't desirable.

[CanadianSpur]

Discovery rights are only good for 1 year, not in perpetuity....From The MLS roster rules:

(E) DISCOVERY SIGNINGS

Clubs may make discovery claims on players not yet under MLS contract who are not subject to the allocation ranking or lottery mechanisms.

Each club has the opportunity to make six discovery signings per season (expansion teams may make 10 discovery signings in their inaugural season). A club may have up to 10 discovery claims on unsigned players at any time and may remove or add players at any time. The last day for discovery player signings is September 15, 2011 – coinciding with the roster freeze date and trade deadline.

The six discovery signings can be used to fill senior roster spots only. If multiple clubs claim the same player using a discovery, the club that filed the claim first will have first rights to the player. Discovery claims expire following each season. If the League and player are unable to reach an agreement during the season, the club that first filed the discovery retains the right of first refusal in the event the player is later signed by the League.

Note: To protect interests of MLS clubs in scouting and negotiations with prospective players, the League office will not publicize the names of players on club discovery lists, nor specify if a discovery claim has been filed on a particular player.