Understanding Salary Caps in FM21: A Guide for Managers

In the latest iteration of Football Manager (FM), managers must carefully manage their squad's finances while adhering to various regulations. One such regulation is the salary cap system introduced in FM21, specifically designed for Major League Soccer (MLS) teams.

For those new to managing MLS clubs on FM or simply looking to brush up on these rules, this article will provide a comprehensive guide on understanding and working within the context of the salary cap.

What Is The Salary Cap?

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The salary cap is an annual limit set by each team for how much it can spend on wages. This applies only to players who are considered 'on budget,' meaning they have signed senior contracts with their respective teams.

In FM21, MLS clubs have a total wage bill of $1 million per season (approximately £750k in real-world terms). It's essential to note that this cap does not include youth or loan signings. However, as soon as these players are promoted to the first team on permanent deals, they will count towards your overall wage budget.

Key Points To Remember

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### 1. Only Senior Contracted Players Count

* Youth and Academy players do not affect your salary cap.

* Loan signings also don't impact this figure unless their loan is made permanent.

* However, if a player's contract expires while on loan but doesn't sign permanently, they will still count towards the cap until they leave.

### 2. Transfer Fees Do Not Impact The Cap

* If you sell a player for more than his value in FM terms (which often happens due to transfer fees being far higher), this excess money does not go into your wage budget.

* Conversely, if you sign an expensive player on loan or permanent deal and he fails to impress, the full amount will still count against your cap.

### 3. Salary Cap Can Be Exceeded Temporarily

* You can exceed the salary cap temporarily during transfer windows by up to £100k per week without immediate punishment.

* However, be aware that repeated breaches may lead to fines and even player sales being blocked altogether.

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Managing a team within strict financial constraints while trying to achieve success on the pitch is one of the most challenging aspects of FM. Understanding how salary caps work in MLS will give you an edge over your rivals as you navigate through each transfer window, making shrewd signings and managing your wage bill with precision.

By following these guidelines closely, even novice managers can effectively manage their squad's finances while competing at the highest level within the context of Football Manager 21. Happy gaming!

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