Exceptions

Taxpayer mid-level exception

2026-27 (proj)
League lines
Cap
$165.0M
Tax
$201.0M
Apron 1
$209.0M
Apron 2
$222.0M

The taxpayer mid-level exception is the reduced MLE available to teams above the first apron: a shorter (up to 2 years) and smaller contract than the full mid-level.

Using it hard-caps the team at the second apron. Teams above the second apron lose it entirely.


Related

Mid-level exception (non-taxpayer)Second apronHard cap

See it live: pick any team and tap the numbers on its cap sheet.