DeMaurice Smith notes that "Every sport up until this point is predicated on management and the owners doing everything to retain their power and control," highlighting the historical power imbalance in professional sports.
Despite limited rights, players have fought long battles for free agency, yet "players rarely get to decide if, when, and where they are traded," underlining the ongoing struggle for athlete autonomy.
The draft system, established in 1936, shows that players have almost no control over their careers, with choices made by teams based on previous season performance.
The NFL's draft and collective bargaining agreements have historically restricted player freedoms, where athletes accept restrictions in exchange for certain benefits, reflecting the ongoing challenges within sports.
[
Collection
]
[
|
...
]