Why are waivers used?

Waiver claim systems exist to ensure everyone has fair access to newly released players and free agents. Without a waiver system in place, free agents are available on a first-come-first-served basis. Many leagues find such a system unfair because not everyone has readily available Internet access. For example, owners that work at a computer all day are at an unfair advantage—they have a good chance of being the first to add a free agent.