NFL Franchise Tags

mmm Dunkin Donuts is a tasty Franchise

So you hear about them all the time before the start of new NFL seasons, but do you actually know the definition of an NFL Franchise Tag? If not, this post should shed some light on the issue.

Each year, an NFL team may designate one of its impending Free Agent’s to be a “Franchise Player.” This applies to both UFAs (Unrestricted Free Agents) and RFAs (Restricted Free Agents).

If a team designates the Franchised Player as exclusive…
That team will be the only one which the player may negotiate and sign a contract.

If a team designates the Franchised Player as non-exclusive…
The player will be treated as an Unrestricted Free Agent and will be able to negotiate with any team. The reasoning behind the Franchise Tag is that in this case, the team who Franchised the player will receive two 1st round picks from the team who ends up acquiring such player.

If a Franchise Player signs with his former team, which must occur in an exclusive agreement, that player must receive a one-year contract that is no less than the average of the five highest paid players at his position in the previous year or 120% of the player’s previous year’s salary (whichever number is larger).

In addition, there is a short window where teams may add a Franchise Tag to one of its players. This year it was between February 8th and February 23rd.

[tags]franchise, franchise tag, nfl, contracts, free agent[/tags]

By Darren Heitner

Darren Adam Heitner, Esq., is a preeminent sports attorney and the founder of Heitner Legal, P.L.L.C., a Fort Lauderdale-based law firm specializing in sports law, contract negotiations, intellectual property, and arbitration. He earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Florida Levin College of Law in 2010 and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, magna cum laude, from the University of Florida in 2007, where he was named Valedictorian of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Admitted to practice in the state bars of Florida, New York, and the District of Columbia, as well as multiple federal courts, Darren also serves as a certified arbitrator with the American Arbitration Association.

As an adjunct professor, Darren imparts his expertise through teaching Sports Law at the University of Florida Levin College of Law and Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) at the University of Miami School of Law in the Entertainment, Arts, and Sports Law LL.M. program. His scholarly contributions include authoring several books published by the American Bar Association, such as How to Play the Game: What Every Sports Attorney Needs to Know, and numerous articles in prominent publications like Forbes, Inc. Magazine, and Above the Law. His thought leadership in NIL has earned him recognition as one of the foremost experts by The Wall Street Journal, USA TODAY, and On3, and he has been lauded as a “power player in NIL deals” by Action Network and a “top sports trademark attorney” by Sportico.

Darren’s passion for sports law led him to establish Sports Agent Blog on December 31, 2005, initially titled “I Want To Be A Sports Agent.” The platform, created as a New Year’s resolution, has grown into a cornerstone of the sports agency community, offering in-depth analysis of industry trends, legal disputes, and agent-player dynamics. His commitment to the field is further evidenced by his representation of numerous athletes and sports agents, as well as his prior role as an Adjunct Professor at Indiana University Bloomington, where he developed and taught a course on Sport Agency Management from 2011 to 2014.

Darren’s contributions have been recognized with prestigious honors, including the University of Florida’s 40 Under 40 Award, the University of Florida Levin College of Law’s Outstanding Young Alumnus Award, and designation as the best lawyer in Fort Lauderdale by Fort Lauderdale Magazine. He remains an active voice in the sports law community, sharing insights through his weekly NIL newsletter and his X posts, engaging a broad audience on legal developments in sports.

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12 replies on “NFL Franchise Tags”

[…] Like an NFL Franchise Tag, an NFL Transition Tag may be used on one player per team each year. Also, the tag may be used on either a restricted or unrestricted free agent. […]

[…] Last year, I fully explained how the franchising process works in the NFL [NFL Franchise Tags]. […]

[…] Todd France should be praised for the deal that he brokered for his client, though. First, he obtained the largest deal ever for a defender who has never even had a chance to perform in the playoffs or a Pro Bowl. Second, France had enough insight to put a stipulation into last year’s contract with the Buffalo Bills, which only allowed the organization to designate Clements as a franchise player for that year alone (for more on franchise designations: NFL Franchise Tags). […]

[…] Honestly, the Franchise Tag is starting to tear teams apart. February marked the beginning of Franchise Tagging Season, and even though no more players are being tagged, the NFL is still feeling the effects of disgruntled tagees. For more information about what the Franchise Tag is, click here. […]

[…] deadline for players who had been given a Franchise Tag to sign multi-year contracts has passed. July 16th at 4PM marked the close of any such possibility. […]

I just wanted to say, that we need to have better information, on how to be a sports agent
I own kcmotorsportsmmg.com

I have over twenty yrs of experience in sports and entertainment industry, we would like to know
more if this is available, about being a sports agent,

Thanks
KC Webb

Dear KC Webb,
You have been charged for fraud and have commited it again with the Beard & Samuel family in Trumann, Arkansas. Legal action will be taken. Legal paperwork is being processced and so are letters to the credit card companies. This is your last notice before action is taken.

Please note: KC Webb told 3 young racecar fans he was going to give them a chance of their dreams, sent them pictures of their future cars, and maid them each pay $4K a piece.

Do you know KC Webb? Tell me more about him and his business.

Using Dale, Jr images on your site is a bit misleading, is it not?

You’re site needs a serious upgrade, at least get rid of the Put Content Here crap.

In response to comment 6 by KC Webb, You have no experience and you are not who you pretend to be. Quit trying to rip people off

Could you tell me more about KC Webb and his business?

BPN…I have had dealings with Mr. Webb a year ago. I will swear under oath in any courtroom that Mr. Webb delivered on all contract promises and sponsors that he marketed me for. Including funding a contract for $2.8 million for my racing operation. Personally, I would say you believed the wrong boy who cried wolf one too many times. Mr. Webb never once asked me for dime one in the process. If this person did what is said that he did well then I hope you believe people can change. I read all the negative posts and personally, to me and my partners it looks to me like some spoiled kid had axes to grind in Arkansas.

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