# What can an MLS or NWSL buyer safely conclude?


**The buyer population is measurable; its recruitment-intelligence expenditure is not.** The current operating base comprises **43 US-based first teams: 27 MLS clubs and 16 NWSL clubs**. Including the three Canadian MLS clubs expands the league-wide population to **46**. These are clubs, not verified independent purchasing organisations. Sources: [MLS, 2 September 2026](https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/major-league-soccer-announces-participation-in-2027-lamar-hunt-u-s-open-cup) and [NWSL, 2026 Competition Rules](https://images.nwslsoccer.com/image/private/t_q-good/prd/tstudhfledlk7z8ygtzd.pdf). ([mlssoccer.com](https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/major-league-soccer-announces-participation-in-2027-lamar-hunt-u-s-open-cup))

Applying the desk’s **unvalidated planning assumption of US$75,000–US$300,000 per club annually** produces a **conditional US supplier-expenditure scenario of US$3.225 million–US$12.9 million**. This is arithmetic, not measured market revenue, a confidence interval or a recommended club budget. The spending assumption comes from the supplied desk brief; no public evidence located in this review validates it.

Three purchasing conclusions matter more than a speculative market CAGR:

- **Do not benchmark a complete recruitment stack against an inexpensive analysis application.** Published prices exist for bounded video-analysis and collaboration products, while Wyscout’s professional packages require a quotation. [Metrica pricing](https://www.metrica-sports.com/plans); [Wyscout pricing](https://www.hudl.com/products/wyscout/pricing), both checked 3 November 2026. ([metrica-sports.com](https://www.metrica-sports.com/plans))
- **Re-test overlap after product integration.** Hudl integrated Wyscout video into Statsbomb in July 2025; Catapult launched IMPECT Video Scouting in July 2026. These announcements justify a new entitlement and workflow comparison—not automatic cancellation of another subscription. [Hudl, 28 July 2025](https://www.hudl.com/blog/hudl-statsbomb-video-wyscout); [Catapult, 22 July 2026](https://www.catapult.com/blog/catapult-launches-impect-video-scouting). ([hudl.com](https://www.hudl.com/blog/hudl-statsbomb-video-wyscout))
- **Clarify what a “season” means before renewing MLS data.** The league published its 2027 Sprint Season schedule on **29 October 2026**, with a 14-match regular season before the calendar transition. Contract dates, competition identifiers and historical-access terms deserve explicit treatment. [MLS announcement](https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/major-league-soccer-announces-2027-sprint-season-schedule). ([mlssoccer.com](https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/major-league-soccer-announces-2027-sprint-season-schedule))