FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NFL-30 7/16/97

1997 UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENCY PERIOD ENDS; 89 NFL VETERAN PLAYERS SWITCH TEAMS

Eighty-nine veteran free agents changed teams under terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement during a five-month signing period which ended July 15, the National Football League announced today. The Denver Broncos and St. Louis Rams signed the most unrestricted free agents from other teams, seven each, followed by the New York Jets and San Diego Chargers, who signed six each. There were 328 unrestricted free agents this year: 85 who signed with new teams, and 103 who re-signed with their old teams. The total player pool is approximately 1,700. In addition to the 85 unrestricted free agents with new teams, two transition players also signed with new teams. Also, two of this year's 109 restricted free agents signed with new teams, while 93 have returned to their former clubs. The period for restricted free agents to accept offers from other teams ended April 14. The 89 veteran free agents who signed with new teams this year marks the lowest total to switch teams since the free agency system was instituted in 1993. The 89 free agents who switched teams represent only five percent of all NFL players. Of 505 players who were free agents in the various categories of the system, 287 signed new contracts with either new teams or their old clubs. "The veteran free agent signings this past offseason reflect an awareness on the part of teams and players that continuity and stability are more important in our sport, perhaps, than in others," said HAROLD HENDERSON, executive vice president of labor relations and chairman of the NFL Management Council. "More veterans re-signed with their own teams at higher salaries this year than in the past. The system is maintaining the competitive balance that is so important in our sport." Under the NFL Collective Bargaining Agreement, those players without 1997 contracts who had four or more seasons of free agency experience were termed "unrestricted free agents" and were free to sign with any club between February 14 and July 15. If a player's prior club made a 110 percent tender on or before June 1, the prior club retained exclusive negotiating rights after July 15 if the player did not sign with another club. If the player and club are unable to negotiate a contract by the 10th week of the regular season, the player may not play the remainder of the season. If the player sits out the season, he becomes an unrestricted free agent next year. Under the CBA, restricted free agents are those players who have three seasons of free agency experience and are subject to compensation and/or right of first refusal. A "transition" player is one whose team must tender a one-year contract at the average of the 10 highest-paid players at the transition player's position, or a 20 percent increase, whichever is greater. A "franchise" player (each club is allowed one for the duration of the agreement) is one whose team must tender a one-year contract at the average of the five highest-paid players at the franchise player's position, or a 20 percent increase, whichever is greater. A comparison of free agent movement in the first five years of the current CBA:

NFL FREE AGENCY MOVEMENT

(Veteran Free Agents Who Signed With New Teams)

RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS SIGNED BY OLD TEAM (93)

RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS SIGNED BY NEW TEAMS (2)

UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS SIGNED BY OLD TEAM (103)

UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS SIGNED BY NEW TEAMS (85)

TRANSITION PLAYERS SIGNED BY OLD TEAM (0)

TRANSITION PLAYERS SIGNED BY NEW TEAMS (2)

FRANCHISE PLAYERS SIGNED BY OLD TEAM (2)

FRANCHISE PLAYERS SIGNED BY NEW TEAMS (0)