MLS' Garber Interested In Extending Designated Player Rule

Garber Says Designated Player Rule Has Great Value, But League Has Had Some Misses

MLS' designated player rule is entering its third year of existence, and Commissioner Don Garber is "believed to favor an extension, and possibly an expansion," of the rule, according to Jack Bell of the N.Y. TIMES. Garber, one of the architects of the rule, said it has "great value," but he noted the league has "had some misses, and that's what sports are all about." Bell notes for "every modest success" among the 10 designated players who either are playing or have played in the league, there "have been failures." Meanwhile, the decision on the future of the designated player rule "will have to wait until the end of the 2009 season, and could be influenced" by a new CBA with the MLSPU (N.Y. TIMES, 3/18). The chart below lists the 10 MLS designated players since the rule was introduced (THE DAILY).

YOUR ATTENTION, PLEASE: In DC, John Haydon wrote MLS "often has been ignored by the soccer world, but thanks to David Beckham the league has been in the news recently -- and the season hasn't even started." The Galaxy "now are a famous club." When were the "utterances" of Garber and AEG President & CEO Tim Leiweke "ever so closely monitored by the European press?" MLS Revolution coach Steve Nicol: "People who didn't even know the shape of a soccer ball now know about MLS and come to games because of Beckham." Haydon wrote Beckham's arrival in July after he completes the season with AC Milan "might be just the boost needed to liven up MLS during those long, stale summer months," and more fans "may show up for games knowing it's likely the last time to catch Beckham wearing an MLS jersey" (WASHINGTON TIMES, 3/14).

Print This Article