In the United States, outstanding players were referred to as "franchises" at least as far back as the 1950s.[1] By the 1970s, the concept of a "franchise" player who single-handedly generates success was commonly understood in the sporting trade.[2][3] The term franchise player was in widespread use by the early 1980s to describe both star rookies like John Elway[4] and Kelvin Bryant[5] and veterans like George Brett.[6] While the term is primarily associated with North American and English sports,[1][7] it is sometimes used in reference to athletes in sports outside the United States, such as rugby league[8] and association football (soccer) players.[9]