Dick Moss, Architect of Baseball Free Agency, Dies at 93

Dick Moss, the legal mind behind the transformation of professional sports compensation, has passed away at the age of 93. Moss died on September 21, 2024, at an assisted-living facility in Santa Monica, California, as reported by the Major League Baseball Players Association.

Moss's most significant achievement came 49 years ago when he successfully argued the landmark 1975 arbitration case that established free agency in baseball. This decision effectively ended the reserve clause, a provision dating back to 1879 that had allowed teams to unilaterally renew player contracts indefinitely.

The impact of Moss's work was profound and far-reaching. In 1975, the average Major League Baseball (MLB) salary was approximately $45,000. By 2023, it had skyrocketed to $4.5 million, representing a thousandfold increase. Concurrently, MLB revenues grew from $163 million to over $11 billion during the same period.

Moss's influence extended beyond baseball. The National Basketball Association (NBA) gained liberalized free agency rights in 1976, followed by the National Football League (NFL) in 1993, demonstrating the ripple effect of his work across North American sports.

David Cone, a former pitcher and union leader, described Moss as "a titan of the industry" who "impacted the industry at that time like few others."

Moss's career in sports law began when he joined the Major League Baseball Players Association as general counsel in 1967. He played a crucial role in negotiating the first collective bargaining agreement in 1968, which raised the minimum salary from $6,000 to $10,000.

In 1974, Moss's arguments led to Catfish Hunter becoming a free agent due to a contract breach by Oakland. This case set the stage for the more significant 1975 decision involving pitchers Andy Messersmith and Dave McNally.

After leaving the union in 1977, Moss became an agent, representing future Hall of Famers like Nolan Ryan, Jack Morris, and Gary Carter. He negotiated Ryan's groundbreaking $1 million annual salary in 1979 and secured the first $1 million arbitration award for Fernando Valenzuela in 1982.

Moss also played a key role in exposing owners' collusive activities in 1987, leading to a $280 million settlement in 1990. His career included other notable cases, such as successfully arguing for the overturn of Steve Howe's lifetime ban for substance abuse in 1992.

Born on July 30, 1931, in Pittsburgh, Moss graduated from the University of Pittsburgh and Harvard Law School. He served two years in the Army before embarking on his legal career, which included working for the United Steelworkers before joining the baseball union.

Throughout his career, Moss continued to push boundaries, even attempting to organize new leagues in 1989 and 1994. His work paved the way for the first free-agent class, which included future Hall of Famers Reggie Jackson and Rollie Fingers.

Dick Moss's legacy in professional sports is indelible. His legal acumen and dedication to players' rights fundamentally altered the landscape of athlete compensation, leaving an enduring impact on the business of sports.