[gorgoiler]

That’s different. You are talking about doing a deal with the player.

I’m talking about Company X having to pay off Cloudflare-the-business if they want Team Cloudflare’s top network engineer to transfer to Team Company X, mid contract.

[nradov]

That only really works in professional sports because each team is part of a league which enforces operating rules, including rules about player contracts and trades. No such "league" exists in the tech industry, and any attempt to form one would likely be a criminal violation of antitrust laws.

[gorgoiler]

Gosh. Are sports stars really so different as employees? I suppose they get paid so much specifically to endure such odd employment circumstances.

[rightbyte]

Sounds like servitude or serfs? Elite sport is one thing but for mere mortals I guess it would become extremely abusive.