designated player

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "designated player" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in sports contexts, particularly in reference to a player who is given special status or privileges, such as in Major League Baseball. Example: "The team announced that they have signed a designated player to enhance their roster for the upcoming season."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Only Angel looked like a designated player.

The New York Times - Sports

He becomes the Wizards' second designated player.

The New York Times - Sports

"We've addressed that issue with the designated player rule".

The New York Times - Sports

It also has a roster slot to acquire a second designated player from overseas.

The New York Times

For each designated player, the first $415,000 counts against the salary cap.

The New York Times - Sports

But only 6 of 15 teams have dipped their toes into designated player waters for 2009.

The New York Times - Sports

Vermes added that he thought the designated player "has been a major success, an incredible experiment".

The New York Times - Sports

Ángel, 33, is the team's and the league's most successful designated player.

The New York Times - Sports

De Rosario is known to be seeking a new contract with designated player money.

The New York Times

The 24 year old would be the Rapids first ever designated player.

The Guardian - Sport

Who will be the designated player to replace (springtime in Paris) David Beckham?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "designated player" specifically when referring to the Major League Soccer (MLS) rule that allows teams to sign players whose salaries exceed the league's salary cap. Ensure the context is clear and relevant to professional soccer.

Common error

Avoid using "designated player" as a general term for a star athlete in any sport. It is almost exclusively associated with MLS and its specific salary regulations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "designated player" functions primarily as a noun phrase, identifying a specific type of player within a sports league, particularly in Major League Soccer (MLS). This is supported by Ludwig, where it frequently appears as a subject or object of sentences, indicating a defined role within a team's roster.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Academia

1%

Science

0.5%

Reference

0.5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "designated player" is a noun phrase primarily used in the context of Major League Soccer (MLS) to describe players whose salaries exceed the league's salary cap. According to Ludwig AI, this term is grammatically correct and very common, particularly in news and media reporting. The designated player rule, sometimes referred to as the Beckham Rule, allows teams to sign high-profile players, enhancing their competitiveness and marketability. While the term is specific to MLS, understanding its implications is crucial for anyone following professional soccer in North America. It's important to use this term accurately, avoiding its generalization to star athletes in other sports.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

key player

Refers to an important player, but doesn't imply any special contractual status.

marquee signing

Highlights the significance of a player's acquisition, especially regarding marketing.

star player

Focuses on the player's skill and popularity.

franchise player

Emphasizes the player's importance to the entire organization, not just the team.

high-profile player

Highlights the player's fame and recognition.

impact player

Indicates a player who makes a significant contribution to the game.

primary player

Highlights the importance of the player's role.

import player

Focuses on the foreign origin of the player, often used in leagues with international talent.

team leader

Highlights the leadership qualities of the player.

valuable player

Emphasizes the player's contribution to the team's success.

FAQs

What does "designated player" mean in soccer?

In Major League Soccer (MLS), a "designated player" is a player whose salary exceeds the league's salary cap. The "designated player" rule, sometimes called the Beckham Rule, allows teams to sign high-profile players who might otherwise be unaffordable.

How did the "designated player" rule change MLS?

The "designated player" rule, introduced in 2007, allowed MLS teams to sign star players from around the world, raising the league's profile and competitiveness. It helped attract players like David Beckham, leading to increased media attention and fan interest.

Can a team have more than one "designated player"?

Yes, MLS teams are allowed to have multiple "designated players". The number of "designated players" a team can have has varied over time, but currently, teams are typically allowed to have up to three.

Are there any restrictions on who can be a "designated player"?

While there are no explicit restrictions on who can be a "designated player" in terms of nationality or position, the player's salary must exceed the MLS salary cap. The team must also be able to afford the player's salary, even though only a portion of it counts against the cap.