David Doty, the judge who handled many NFL labor cases, has died at 96. His 1992 ruling opened the door to free agency in professional football.
David Doty served as a U.S. District Judge in Minneapolis. He oversaw many important labor disputes involving the National Football League. In 1992, he issued a key decision that changed how players could move between teams. This ruling helped create the free agency system used today in the NFL. Doty passed away at the age of 96. His work in the courtroom had a lasting impact on professional football. Colleagues remember him as a fair and dedicated judge who shaped the sport's modern era.
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