Does the MLS give unfair advantage to large-market teams? [xpost r/whitecapsfc]

I was reading about the potential Steve Gerrard to LA Galaxy deal and came to this line:

The MLS Board of Governors approved the deal because the league will pick up $750,000 of Gerrard's deal, the source said.

I am admittedly unfamiliar with how these things work, but do all teams get this kind of support when signing a major international player? The Galaxy, with I believe the biggest fan base of all MLS teams, should hardly need extra financial help putting together a competitive team.

espn source