James W. Quinn

Professional team sports leagues in the U.S. have historically operated as monopolies, unchecked by many of the antitrust laws applicable to most other industries.  Team owners employed reserve clauses that gave them control over a player' s entire career, restricting the player's autonomy in trades.  James Quinn of Berg & Androphy, who has represented professional sports players' associations, explains the major developments over the past half-century that shifted power to players and established free agency in sports.

Professional team sports leagues in the U.S. have historically operated as monopolies, unchecked by many of the antitrust laws applicable to most other industries.  Team owners employed reserve clauses that gave them complete control over a player' s career, restricting the player's autonomy in trades.  James Quinn, of Berg & Androphy, who has represented the professional sports players' associations, explains the major developments over the past half-century that have chipped away at the reserve systems and established free agency in sports.