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

Moss's legal victories transformed player salaries and reshaped professional sports economics.

Dick Moss, the lawyer who won the landmark arbitration case for baseball free agency, passed away at an assisted-living residence in Santa Monica, California.
Moss's 1975 arbitration victory for pitchers Andy Messersmith and Dave McNally led to the dismantling of the reserve clause, allowing players to negotiate freely with teams.
The average MLB salary surged from under $45,000 in 1975 to $4.5 million by 2023, reflecting the profound financial impact of Moss's legal work.
Moss's contributions extended beyond baseball, influencing free agency in the NBA and NFL, and exposing collusive practices among MLB owners.
He is survived by his third wife, Carol Freis, and his daughter, Nancy Moss Ephron, from his second marriage.