The NFL franchise tag has long been a topic of discussion among players around the league, but one former player is offering his latest hot take on the controversial contract situation.
Former league defensive back Domonique Foxworth believes the franchise tag is “un-American.”
“Salary cap as well,” the ESPN analyst said Monday on the “Ross Tucker Football Podcast.” “All of this is actually illegal. It violates antitrust laws.”
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Domonique Foxworth attends EPIX Presents “Schooled: The Price of College Sports” on October 8, 2013 in New York City. (Craig Barritt/Getty Images, EPIX)
Foxworth, who was president of the NFL Players Association and chief operating officer of the National Basketball Players Association, has seen it all from a contract standpoint in multiple leagues. He explained his case in further detail.
“Labor unions exist because unions exist,” Foxworth said. “What’s interesting is that the way the league was able to get free agency in 1993 was to revoke the league’s accreditation, essentially dissolve the league, create a trade association, and sue the league for antitrust violations involving the draft. Including these things, players should not be allowed to become free agents.
“Ironically, when the settlement was reached, the league required the players to reunion because they needed a union to protect the players in order to forgive all the antitrust violations. .So I think it’s no surprise, “As a former president and leader of two sports unions, and having been very involved, I think this union takes player rights very seriously.” It provides a tremendous amount of protection, otherwise they wouldn’t be allowed to have a draft or collude in a variety of ways where collusion is legally recognized. ”
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More specifically, the NFL forced the players’ union to restructure to create a collective bargaining agreement in exchange for free agency and other perks for players. And the CBA has the unique ability to have a franchise tag, among other things like the NFL Draft and the salary cap.
Baltimore Ravens cornerback Domonique Foxworth (24) watches from the field during a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on December 27, 2009 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Steelers defeated the Ravens 23-20. (George Gojkovic/Getty Images)
Of course, the idea of a franchise tag, which is not used in any other major sports league in the country, has been a topic of frustration among players, especially in recent seasons.
Unlike other leagues, star players can’t hit the open market while their contracts are expiring, allowing teams to lock them up for at least one more season.
Some teams do this to give themselves more time to negotiate contracts. But if you look at examples like the New York Giants and Saquon Barkley in 2023, that won’t necessarily happen. Barkley ultimately agreed to a franchise deal, but other players face hefty fines that may hold up well into the regular season.
Domonique Foxworth attends EPIX Presents “Schooled: The Price of College Sports” on October 8, 2013 in New York City. (Craig Barritt/Getty Images, EPIX)
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The current CBA expires at the end of the league year in March 2030, so the next CBA negotiation will be in six years.
