When does the agent year start and stop?

The agent year in the context of the NFLPA runs from October 1 to September 30 of the following year. This time frame is significant because it aligns with the standard cycles of the NFL season, including key dates for contract negotiations and player transactions.

By establishing the agent year starting on October 1, it allows agents and players to plan effectively for the upcoming NFL season, ensuring that all contractual obligations and activities can be managed within this defined period. This structure helps facilitate a clear timeline for agents in their dealings, as well as offering a consistent framework for understanding when agent-related responsibilities and deadlines take place.

The specific dates identified in other options do not align with the official NFL agent year, making them invalid choices for this question. For instance, a calendar year from January 1 to December 31 does not account for the unique timing of the NFL schedule, while a fiscal year running from July or March also fails to correlate with the operational needs of NFL agents and players within the league's specific timeframe.