Which statement best describes restricted free agency in major professional sports leagues?

Which statement best describes restricted free agency in major professional sports leagues?

• A. The team has the right to match offers from other teams.
• B. Players may sign with any team without restriction.
• C. A veteran player is ineligible to sign a new contract.
• D. The league assigns a player's new team after a contract expires.

Answer: (A)

Restricted free agency means a player can receive offers from other teams, but the original team has the right to match those offers to keep the player. If the original team matches the offer, the player stays with them under the new contract terms. If they don’t match, the player can move to the new team, and the original team may receive compensation, such as draft picks, depending on league rules. This distinguishes restricted free agency from unrestricted free agency, where a player can sign with any team without the original team having a matching right. The other statements describe scenarios that don’t fit how restricted free agency works.

Restricted free agency means a player can receive offers from other teams, but the original team has the right to match those offers to keep the player. If the original team matches the offer, the player stays with them under the new contract terms. If they don’t match, the player can move to the new team, and the original team may receive compensation, such as draft picks, depending on league rules. This distinguishes restricted free agency from unrestricted free agency, where a player can sign with any team without the original team having a matching right. The other statements describe scenarios that don’t fit how restricted free agency works.