Franchise player

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This article is about a sports term. For the designation that is in the NFL collective bargaining agreement, see Franchise Tag.
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Franchise Player is a modern term used in sports to describe an athlete who is usually considered to be the best player, and most recognizable figure, on his team. It is an elite status, but it is not necessarily a singular position; a large team such as an American football team might have a few franchise players at different positions.

The origin of the term is unknown. It has frequently been applied since the advent of free agency in sports, which made it less likely for players to stay with one team for their entire career. A franchise player has the confidence of the organization and has the comfort of knowing that he will not be benched for a long period of time when healthy. Ideally, the franchise player will generate both wins and revenue for his team, and after a successful career, will be forever remembered as a member of that team.

Franchise players have some of the following specific characteristics:

  • They are signed to lucrative, multi-year contracts.
  • They may be promoted as the "face of the franchise": signing local and national endorsement deals, making appearances in television comercials, and selling team jerseys to consumers in the team's fan base.

The term also has a separate contractual definition within the context of professional sports. A team can designate a player as its franchise player and therefore restrict the player from entering free agency. In return, the team must pay the player a premium salary. For example, the NFL requires that a franchise player be paid at least the average of the top 5 players in the league at his position. The franchise player status lasts for only 1 year and can be renewed, but if not renewed the player is granted unrestricted free agency. In practice, the franchise player rule is not often put into effect; it is more frequently used as a negotiating tactic by the team to convince a player to sign a long term deal.

Contents

[edit] Examples of active franchise players

[edit] MLB

[edit] NFL

[edit] NBA

[edit] NHL

[edit] See also

[edit] References

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