What does the franchise tag mean Meaning and Definition

Pronunciation

/ˈfræn.tʃaɪz.teɪɡ/ 🔊

Part of Speech

Noun phrase

Definition

In professional sports, a designation given to a player by a team to prevent them from becoming a free agent, allowing the team to retain the player’s services for a specific period.

Examples

• The team placed the franchise tag on their star quarterback to ensure he didn’t leave in the off-season.
• What does the franchise tag mean for the player’s future in the league?

Synonyms

• Exclusive contract
• Player retention

Antonyms

• Free agency
• Player release

Additional Information

The franchise tag is typically used by teams to retain their most valuable players, allowing them to negotiate a long-term contract or trade the player to another team. The tag also provides teams with a level of security, as it prevents players from leaving without permission. The use of the franchise tag can be a complex process, with many factors influencing the decision, including player performance, salary cap constraints, and team strategy.

In the National Football League (NFL), the franchise tag is used to restrict a player’s ability to negotiate with other teams, while in the National Basketball Association (NBA), it allows teams to match any offer made to a player by another team.

Etymology

The term “franchise tag” originated in the 1990s, derived from the concept of a franchise, which refers to a business or organization that has been granted a license to operate by a larger entity.

Usage Notes

The franchise tag is commonly used in professional sports, particularly in the NFL and NBA. It is often used in contract negotiations and player transactions.

Cultural References

The franchise tag has been referenced in various sports films and TV shows, such as “Any Given Sunday” and “Ballers”.

Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases

• To “tag” a player
• To be “franchise-tagged”

Related Words or Phrases

• Free agency
• Salary cap
• Player contract

Collocations

• Franchise tag deadline
• Franchise tag extension
• Franchise tag negotiations

Frequency of Use

The term “franchise tag” is commonly used in professional sports, particularly during the off-season and contract negotiations.

Common Misspellings

• Franchize tag
• Francise tag
• Francheese tag