The 2022 MLS season operated under a salary budget of $4,900,000 per team, which was the maximum amount clubs could spend on player salaries. This budget included both the base salary budget and additional allocation money mechanisms designed to provide roster flexibility.
The 2022 roster rules allowed teams to carry 28 players on their roster, with up to 20 senior roster spots and 8 supplemental roster positions. Teams could utilize General Allocation Money (GAM) worth up to $1,625,000 and Targeted Allocation Money (TAM) worth up to $2,800,000 to buy down player salaries and acquire additional roster flexibility. These mechanisms allowed teams to effectively exceed the base salary budget while maintaining competitive balance.
The Designated Player rule remained a key component, allowing teams to sign up to three players whose salaries could exceed the maximum budget charge of $612,500. Any amount above this threshold did not count against the team's salary budget, enabling MLS clubs to attract high-profile international talent while staying within the league's financial framework.