Teams now allowed to trade as MPL ushers in S14 with new transfer system
At A Glance
- Under the new rule, teams are now allowed to tap free agents and add to their rosters in the middle of the season as long as the team's lineup is not exceeding the 10-player limit and the league salary cap.
Players switching jerseys in the middle of the season could now be a thing for the MPL Philippines in the upcoming Season 14.
That after the league operation has given the green light to the new global open transfer system which would give teams enough flexibility in exploring their respective lineups on the fly while the season is ongoing, MPL announced in a pre-season press conference at Green Sun Hotel on Friday, Aug. 9.
Under the new rule, teams are now allowed to tap free agents and add to their rosters in the middle of the season as long as the team’s lineup is not exceeding the 10-player limit and the league salary cap.
In previous seasons since the league adapted the franchise model, teams are only to tap players from their MDL Philippines counterparts and add it to their rosters.
This time, teams have the freedom to tap anyone, even players that have yet to play professionally and even those who are seeing action in women’s league or ones playing as an import overseas.
Trade between teams is now also allowed although transactions will be subject to approval by the league operations to ensure no contractual obligations are violated and avoid player poaching.
If seen enough grounds and violations, the league has the power to veto any transaction.
The transfer should only be done every Monday – or at the end of the weekly game schedules of the MPL – and could only be done until the final week of the regular season. Players on the lineup at the end of the regular season should comprise the team in the playoffs.
Interestingly, not only players but also coaches could be traded during the season.
Aside from the transfer system, a new scoring system is set to be implemented, putting more value on winning the entire series than just the games.
Under the new arrangement, a series win, regardless of the scores, whether 2-1 or 2-0, shall be rewarded by a full point while losing a series merits none.
The recent change in the scoring system should further push teams to always put their best foot forward in the series and forge more thrill and competition in games.