Transfer Portal vs. Free Agency : what’s the difference?
After each season, usually the first thing talked about in college athletics is, “who entered the transfer portal?” There is even a live tracker of athletes in the portal and where they ultimately end up committing to. After each season, usually the first thing talked about in professional sports is, “who is exploring their free agency option?” Essentially, the transfer portal and free agency are the something – however, they are governed under two completely different governing bodies. One has a history of being very strict non-profit organization, that brings in millions of dollars every year, another is a for profit, that brings in million of dollars every year.
Launched in October of 2018, the NCAA Transfer Portal is an online database that incudes every student athletes desire to transfer from their current school to another establishment. Essentially, putting themselves on the market for other schools to offer them a position on their team. Once in the database, coaches and staff from other schools are permitted to make contact with the athlete and provide information about their university, setting up a potential visit, and potentially offering the student athlete a scholarship at the new institution. Prior to 2021, student athletes participating in football, men’s and women’s basketball, men’s ice hockey, and baseball were required to sit out one full season if they decided to transfer. However, that is no longer the case. All student athletes can have a “free” “one-time transfer” to any university without being punished. Student athletes are now immediately eligible to play after transferring.
From 2016 to 2018 Jalen Hurts was a member of the University of Alabama football team. He won the CFB National Championship in 2017 under center – for half of the game. Hurts was benched in the national championship game for Tua Tagovailoa. In 2018, Hurts became Tagovailoa’s backup. After that, Jalen Hurts became the biggest free agent in college football history. As a graduate transfer, he was eligible to play immediately at essentially any school of his choosing. Hurts explored many options, btu ultimately went to another powerhouse school for the 2019 season, Oklahoma University. Hurts lead Oklahoma to a Big 12 Championship and a sport in the College Football Playoff – a year in which Alabama was not selected to be a part of the CFP. Now, on April 17, 2023 Hurts became the highest paid player in the NFL history, with a 5-year extension for $255 million ($180 million guaranteed), $50 million per year.
In the professional sports setting, a free agent is a player who is eligible to sign with other clubs or franchises. The phrase is used to reference a player who is under contract with one team but is allowed to accept offers from other teams within the league, or outside the league. A player goes out to explore their options, potentially visiting the teams facilities, and the possibility of signing a contract with the team – essentially the same as an NCAA athlete looking to transfer. However, each professional league has their own rules when it comes to free agency.
Although not exactly the same, the NCAA transfer portal and free agency have a lot of similarities. Like the NCAA portal, free agency allows an athlete to search for a place that brings them the best opportunity to succeed. An NCAA athlete and professional athlete can speak with other universities or franchises, take visits to facilities and establishments, and accept a position on a team or sign a multi-million dollar contract.
One day, the only difference between a student athlete and a professional athlete is the time of when they can speak with a new establishment. NCAA athletes can enter the portal at any time, however, free agents have to wait until their contract has lapsed. However, often time, each athlete brings in their representative “employer” millions of dollars each year, whether that be a university of a billion-dollar franchise. The one who gains the most benefit are the professional athletes with their large contract. But one day, NCAA athletes may be receiving multi-million-dollar Name, Image, and Likeness deals. - Colleen Kolis, Esq.