What is an expansion draft in football?

An expansion draft in football (soccer) is a process used when a new team joins an existing league, allowing it to select players from the rosters of established teams. This mechanism helps ensure that the new team is competitive by enabling it to acquire talent while preventing existing teams from losing too many key players. Typically, existing teams can protect a certain number of players, and the new team can choose from the unprotected ones. The draft fosters a more balanced league and gives new franchises a chance to build a strong foundation.