Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC
The Firm
201-896-4100 info@sh-law.comFirm Insights
Navigating Through the Free Agency Period
Author: Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC
Date: January 11, 2016
Key Contacts
Back
2016 free agency period just around the corner…
While the 2016 free agency period doesn’t begin for another few months, the NFL regular season is over and as teams that missed the playoffs consider their futures, players should also begin thinking about how they would like to continue with their careers.
As the playoffs proceed and certain players on all 32 teams face some sort of free agency period ahead, they should speak with their agents and consider whether they would like to stay where they are or move on to a new team next season.
The end of every NFL season brings with it a new group of free agents, many of whom begin to question the next step in their careers. What their next move might be is a consideration colored both by the amount of time they’ve spent in the league and which teams they hope will sign them. Depending how many seasons players have accrued they may be either restricted or unrestricted free agents. Whether they are categorized as the former or the latter will have an influence on how they proceed with their careers.
“Many free agents face questions about their futures.”
The remaining restricted free agents and their options
Restricted free agents are waning in the league, though they are not bound for extinction. These players’ situations are less fluid than that of unrestricted free agents, and depend more on whether their old teams would prefer to resign them or let them test the market. However, these free agents are also becoming less common with each passing year. This is due to season accrual requirements that determine whether a free agent is restricted or unrestricted.
A restricted free agent is a player who has accrued three full seasons, but less than four. An accrued season is one in which the individual is on the team’s 53-man roster for at least six games. The reason restricted free agents are becoming harder to find is due to the 2011 Collective Bargaining Agreement rookie contracts which were extended to four seasons. That means that players drafted since then skip over the restricted free agency threshold and move straight to unrestricted free agency by the time their contracts are up. Undrafted players or those who are cut before their first four seasons are up may eventually become restricted free agents, but the same is no longer true for individuals who make it all the way through their rookie contracts with one team.
Those who do become restricted free agents can sign with any team starting March 15. From that date, any team may tender an offer to the player, but his old team may counter with a qualifying offer. The previous club also has the right of first refusal on any contract terms. If the player does sign with a new team, his old organization may be entitled to draft compensation.
New York Giants’ cornerback Prince Amukamara, slated to be an unrestricted free agent, is one player who will have to ponder where he wants to play next year.
The freedom that comes with unrestricted free agency
The rest of the individuals who enter free agency this year will be unrestricted. These individuals may start speaking with other teams starting March 12, though they may not officially accept an offer until free agency begins on March 15. Unrestricted free agents may negotiate with and receive offers from any team, and their previous organizations do not have the right to refuse these deals. Old clubs are not entitled to draft compensation, either, if the individual chooses to sign with a new team. If an unrestricted free agent goes unsigned through the start of training camp, his old team may acquire negotiating rights by offering a 1-year contract for 110 percent of his previous salary.
Players who are facing free agency starting in March have to eventually make a decision about how they would like to proceed with their careers. What they choose largely depends on their free agency status.
For more information on how free agency status may impact a player’s career come March, speak with an experienced sports law attorney or NFL agent for advice on potential options.
- Industries: Entertainment & Media
- Locations: Red Bank, NJ, New York City, Little Falls, NJ
No Aspect of the advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court. Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.
Related Posts
See all
IP Infringement: What Steps Can You Take If You're Affected?
IP infringement occurs when someone uses your intellectual property without your permission or beyond the scope of the permission you granted. Common examples of IP infringement include copying a product’s patented features or using a trademarked logo in a way that is likely to confuse consumers about the source or affiliation of goods or services. […]
Author: Michael Mietlicki
Public Allegations, Unfinished Investigation: What New Jersey Businesses Should Do Next
When facing public allegations of wrongdoing, companies should not let the speed of the public conversation dictate the speed of an investigation. An investigation designed to confirm a preferred narrative rather than establish the facts can create serious problems later, particularly if litigation, regulatory scrutiny, or employment claims follow. Key Takeaways When public allegations surface […]
Author: Sean M. Pena
BESS Interconnection: Managing Grid, Cost, and Schedule Risk
For battery energy storage system (BESS) developers, securing equipment and site control is only part of the development equation. A project must also connect to the electric grid, and increasingly, BESS interconnection is one of the biggest sources of schedule, cost, and contractual risk. Key Takeaways This article is Part 3 of our Battery Storage […]
Author: Nicholas Wall
Navigating Director and Officer Liability in Times of Financial Distress
Director and officer liability increases sharply when a company is in financial distress. Decisions that would draw little attention in a healthy business can later be challenged by creditors, shareholders, bankruptcy trustees, and regulators as breaches of fiduciary duty, fraudulent transfers, or oversight failures. Understanding where that exposure comes from, and how to manage it, […]
Author: Michael Mietlicki
Before You Buy: Managing Real Estate and Permitting Risk for BESS Projects in New York and New Jersey
For developers pursuing battery energy storage system (BESS) projects, finding the right property is only the beginning. BESS site selection is as much a legal and transactional exercise as a real estate decision, with risk analysis central to the project’s ultimate success. Key Takeaways The core questions for BESS site selection in New York and […]
Author: Nicholas Wall
What Business Owners Get Wrong Before Meeting a Litigation Attorney
What should you expect when meeting a litigation attorney about a business dispute? You should expect to describe the dispute in your own words, hand over the most important documents, flag any deadlines or immediate threats, and leave with a clearer picture of the problem, what information is still needed, and the likely next steps. […]
Author: Michael Mietlicki
No Aspect of the advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court. Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.
Sign up to get the latest from our attorneys!
Explore What Matters Most to You.
Consider subscribing to our Firm Insights mailing list by clicking the button below so you can keep up to date with the firm`s latest articles covering various legal topics.
Stay informed and inspired with the latest updates, insights, and events from Scarinci Hollenbeck. Our resource library provides valuable content across a range of categories to keep you connected and ahead of the curve.