Restricted Free Agency

Restricted free agency (RFA) is a period in professional sports where a player’s current team has the right to match any offer the player receives from another team. If the team chooses to match the offer, the player stays with their original team. If they decline, they may receive a compensation, often in the form of draft picks or other assets. RFAs allow teams to retain key players they value, while giving players some flexibility to explore offers, all within controlled parameters that protect both the player's interests and the team’s investment.