reserve clause
Noun: - A contractual stipulation historically used in professional sports: A "reserve clause" was a specific provision in a player's contract that gave the team the exclusive right to renew the contract for an additional period, typically one year, after its stated expiration date. This effectively bound the athlete to that single team.
The term "reserve clause" is used when discussing historical labor relations, contracts, and player mobility in professional sports, especially baseball. - The reserve clause prevented players from becoming free agents and negotiating with other teams. - For decades, the existence of the reserve clause meant a player's career was controlled by one club.
- "to be bound by the reserve clause": To be subject to the restrictions of this contractual clause.
- Even star players were bound by the reserve clause, limiting their earning potential.
- "the abolition of the reserve clause": Refers to the process of eliminating this clause from standard contracts.
- The landmark arbitration case led to the abolition of the reserve clause in Major League Baseball.
- Reserve system (n): The broader set of rules and practices built around the reserve clause that controlled player movement.
- The entire reserve system was designed to maintain competitive balance but restricted player rights.
- Binding clause: A general term for a contractual provision that creates an obligation.
- Restrictive covenant: A legal term for a clause that limits the actions of one party (though broader in application than sports).
- To hold a player in reserve: This phrase relates to the team's right to retain a player's services, which was the practical effect of the clause.
- Under the old rules, the club could hold a player in reserve indefinitely.
The "reserve clause" specifically refers to a historical practice. In modern discussions, it is almost always used in a past context to describe the system that existed before free agency. It is a key concept in the history of sports labor law.
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a clause that used to be part of the contract with a professional athlete extending the contract for a year beyond its expiration
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the reserve clause was used to bind players to a particular ball club
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