The Re-Entry Draft will commence in two stages on Dec. 16 and 22. The priority order for the Re-Entry Draft is reverse order of finish in 2016, taking into account playoff performance.
Players who are available in Stage One of the Re-Entry Draft are:
- Players who are at least 23-years-old and have a minimum of three MLS service years whose options were not exercised by their clubs (available at option salary for 2017).
- Players who are at least 25-years-old with a minimum of four years of MLS experience who are out of contract and whose club does not wish to re-sign them at their previous salary (available for at least their 2016 salary).
- Free Agents that choose to participate.
Clubs must exercise the option for, or extend a Bona Fide Offer to, all players selected in Stage One and may not select their own draft-eligible players. Should a player reject the offer, the drafting club will hold the Right of First Refusal for that player in MLS. Players with option years left on their contract will automatically be added to the drafting club’s roster.
Players who are not selected in Stage One of the Re-Entry Draft will be made available in Stage Two.
If a player is selected, the drafting club will be required to make a genuine offer to the player within seven days. In the event that an agreement cannot be reached between the drafting club and the player, the drafting club will hold the Right of First Refusal for that player in MLS.
Clubs may not select their own draft-eligible players in Stage Two until all other Clubs have declined on selecting such players.
Players who remain unselected after Stage Two will be available to any MLS club on a first-come, first-served basis.
A player may choose to opt out of the Re-Entry Process prior to Stage One and/or Stage Two of the Re-Entry Draft. In such instances, the Right of First Refusal for the Player will remain with his previous club.
