The inaugural season took place in 1996 with ten teams. MLS experienced financial and operational struggles in its first few years, losing millions of dollars and folding two teams in 2002. Since then, developments such as the proliferation of soccer-specific stadiums around the league, the implementation of the Designated Player Rule allowing teams to sign star players such as David Beckham and Lionel Messi, and national TV contracts have made MLS profitable.
The iNAugURAL sEAsoN TOOK plACE In 1996 witH TeN Teams mls ExpeRienced fiNancIAl aNd opERaTionAl StruGGlEs In ItS fIrst few yEars LOsing millions of dOllaRs and fOlDiNG twO TEaMs in 2002 sInCe thEN deveLoPments such as The PrOlIfeRation OF SoccEr-SPEcifIC sTADiUMs arouNd tHe LeaGue tHe IMplemEnTATioN of tHe deSigNAtEd plaYer Rule alLoWiNg TeAMs to sigN star PLAyERS suCh as david beckhaM aNd lionel mesSi And naTIonaL Tv cONtracts HAve made MlS pROfitaBle