'85 Chronology-Market Cap

Event Date: August 2nd, 1985

Event Description: USFL Free Agency

Source: UPI

Under an agreement reached with the USFL Players Association, each franchise not facing the future prospects of a merger had to protect at least 25 players Thursday and increase that total to a minimum of 35 by noon EDT Saturday.

Final rosters were expected to be released by the league Saturday afternoon.

Once the USFL rosters are set, the signing of that league's free agents by NFL teams is expected to escalate. The NFL originally told its teams to wait until Aug. 1st, when standard USFL contracts expire, to sign any USFL free agents. That deadline has been pushed back to after the NFL receives written notification from the USFL that the players in question are free.

“There's quite a market going on out there today,” a league spokesman said in regards to the late evaluation and dealing.

Under an agreement reached with the USFL Players Association, each franchise not facing the future prospects of a merger had to protect at least 25 players Thursday and increase that total to a minimum of 35 by Friday.

Final rosters were expected to be released by the league late Friday afternoon.

The signing of USFL free agents by NFL teams was expected to escalate Thursday. The NFL told its teams to wait until Aug. 1st, when standard USFL contracts expire, to sign any USFL free agents. 

The USFL and USFLPA Thursday also announced they had agreed on a payment procedure for players protected during the offseason, while management has committed to pay players' 1985 playoff shares and insurance policies in full.

The USFL had 16 teams in 1985 but will probably be reduced to 14 or even 12 next year. The San Antonio franchise waived all their players after missing payroll deadlines.

“I compliment the players' union and club owners for successfully addressing some difficult problems in a difficult economic environment,” USFL commissioner Harry Usher said. “The USFL team owners remain determined to meet their obligations to players throughout the off-season.”

Story-(UPI Modified)