When a football team 'releases' a player, Doe that basically mean he's fired?

Answer 1

Yes.

Answer 2

In a way, definitely yes. In another way, perhaps.

When you are released, you are no longer a member of the team. You are also free to sign with another team. In that sense, your employment is terminated, and, in a way, 'fired'.

Unlike other sports, NFL contracts are for the most part (with very very few exceptions) not guaranteed during the off season. You cut a player during the off season, and you not only terminate his employment, you don't owe him a single cent more. A clear 'firing'.

But once the season starts, I think all players under contract have that years salary guaranteed. So unless the player does something that violates the contract (and can be proven), the player gets paid that salary whether he stays on your team the full season or not, unless 1) you trade that player before the trade deadline, or 2) after you release him, another team 'claims' him off waivers, then they assume the contract. (If no team claims him during the waiver period, the former team is on the hook for the rest of the years salary even if he signs with another team after). So, while this player is terminated, he is still receiving a salary from the team for that season. Under these circumstances they don't cut players to save money, it's usually only because they don't have room for the player on the 53 man roster anymore.

I don't know about hockey, but baseball & basketball have fully guaranteed contracts. Which would explain how the likes of Steve Francis, Matt Clement, etc. continued to draw salaries.

Answer 3

when a pro player signs a contract, he will receive the guaranteed money. it is up to the owner of the franchise if the player receives the rest of the money. most owners will not pay the player the rest, because the contracts are planted with too many loop holes. for example= if the player's team reaches the playoffs that year, he will get the guaranteed money. sounds great huh? not if you play for the browns. but once the player gets the guaranteed money, some of them can care less about making the playoffs and their performance on the field. so, the owner lets them go. in other words fires them, but not before trying to make the money back that they invested in the player

Answer 4

Yes it means that and another team could get him as a free agent beacause the coach released him.

Answer 5

released means he is let go of his contract, so yes since he no longer has a contract with that team he is pretty much fired.

Answer 6

Absolutely.

Answer 7

yes ,but they have a chance of gettin picked by another team...