A professional basketball players contract is often a guaranteed contract, meaning that if the player gets cut from the team before their contract is up, the team must still pay the player's salary under the contract. Unlike basketball contracts, a football players contract is not guaranteed in the same way. A football player may sign a multi year contract only to be cut from his team early, and the salary for the remaining contract years is not guaranteed in a football players contract. Because of this, signing bonuses are very important in a football players contract, because signing bonus money is guaranteed. Generally, football contracts are viewed as less strong and secure than basketball or baseball contracts. Football players are also at a greater risk of injury, because the sport they play allows for more physical contact and more injuries as a result. Agents are often hired to negotiate football contracts in order to ensure a player gets a fair contract.