Football

Lawyers for some of the NFL’s top players told a federal judge in Minneapolis that the league’s new free-agency system has cut their earning power by millions of dollars.

U.S. District Judge David Doty began hearing dozens of objections from players and owners who are unhappy with an out-of-court settlement. Eighty-six objections to the plan have since been filed with the court, 66 from players.

A key aspect of the settlement allows each club to designate one top player as a franchise player. These players may not become free agents, but must be paid 120% of their previous salary or the average of the top five players at their position.