The 2022 MLS salary budget was set at $4,900,000 per team, representing the maximum amount each club could spend on player salaries during the season. This figure was established as part of Major League Soccer's roster rules and regulations to maintain competitive balance across all teams.
The $4,900,000 salary budget included provisions for General Allocation Money (GAM) and Targeted Allocation Money (TAM), which allowed teams additional flexibility in roster construction. Teams could exceed the base salary budget through these allocation mechanisms, enabling them to sign higher-caliber players while staying within the league's financial framework.
This salary budget was part of MLS's continued evolution toward higher spending limits, as the league had gradually increased the salary cap from previous years. The 2022 figure of $4,900,000 represented a significant increase from earlier seasons, reflecting the league's growth and commitment to improving player compensation and overall quality of play.