A qualifying offer for Restricted Free Agents must be made by what date?

The correct answer is that a qualifying offer for Restricted Free Agents must be made on the first day of the League Year. This date is significant because it sets the stage for the contract negotiations and player movement that characterize the start of the league's new season.

Making a qualifying offer at this time ensures that teams retain rights to their Restricted Free Agents while also giving those players the opportunity to explore offers from other teams. The timeline established in the CBA (Collective Bargaining Agreement) is designed to create structure around player contracts and free agency, allowing teams to manage their rosters effectively as the league year begins.

Other options, like the last day of the League Year or mid-season, do not align with the protocols set for restricted free agents, as these periods are not officially recognized for qualifying offers. The end of the playoff season also does not relate to the timing of qualifying offers, as restricted free agency emerges with the commencement of the new league year.