Reporter: In order to play with Messi, DePaul s salary in 2025 will be lower than the designated player threshold

DePaul has officially announced his joining Miami International. Tom Bogert, a senior Reporter of MSU, explained why DePaul can register as a TAM (target allocation fund) player instead of a DP (designated player).

Tom Bogert said Miami paid him a salary in 2025 below the DP threshold. This is the only important number in the salary cap (whether Atletico pays otherwise or not). Miami has told the league that the buyout option has no guaranteed commitment (if there is a guarantee, he cannot register as a TAM player). This is the only way to do so, as DePaul hopes to play with Messi in Miami.

In addition, if Miami chooses to buy out this winter (which is generally considered a high probability event), then he will become the designated player (DP) in 2026. By then, Busquets' contract will expire this winter and Miami will have a DP place.