David Doty, the Minnesota federal judge who presided over NFL labor cases for decades, passed away on June 27. He was 96. Doty would’ve turned 97 on 30th June.

“Judge Doty devoted his life to public service and the law, presiding over NFL-related litigation for many years during his distinguished career. We express our sincere condolences to his family, friends and colleagues,” the NFL stated, per insider Tom Pelissero. 

Patrick Schiltz, Minnesota’s chief federal judge, told the Minnesota Star Tribune of Doty’s passing on June 28. 

“Judge Doty devoted his entire professional life to serving others — as a Marine, as a lawyer who served not only clients but his community in many ways, and as a U.S. District Judge for nearly four decades,” he wrote in a statement. 

Doty was responsible for the landmark settlement, which scrapped certain restrictions on free agency rights for NFL players. This agreement came in a class action lawsuit and resulted in a more liberal free agency and a salary cap for the NFL. 

13-time Pro Bowler Reggie White led this lawsuit. By the time Doty was named a federal judge in 1987, the U.S. District Court of Minnesota was recognized as the place where the NFL and its players settled labor disputes.

In a 2011 article, MinnPost reported that Doty “made Minnesota the center of the National Football League’s labor-relations universe.”

Doty’s rulings often “backed the guys in the shoulder pads and helmets, not the guys who write their checks.”

For almost 20 years, Doty was the arbiter in cases related to the NFL’s Collective Bargaining  Agreement (CBA) with its players. 

“He handled so many cases of so many different stripes. He was still handling so many cases at 96½,” Former Chief Judge John Tunheim said.

Tuheim also praised Doty’s treatment of lawyers and everyone else who appeared in his courtroom.

David Doty’s life at a glance

According to the Federal Judicial Center records, David Singleton Doty was born June 30, 1929, in Anoka. He completed his undergraduate degree at the University of Minnesota in 1952. 

From 1952 to 1958, Doty served in the U.S. Marine Corps. According to The Federal Lawyer, young attorneys in his unit persuaded him to study law. Doty then graduated from U of M Law School in 1961. 

He worked in private legal practise for over 25 years. In 1987, former President Ronald Regan nominated him to the U.S. District Court of Minnesota. He took over a seat vacated by Miles Lord and assumed senior status in 1998.

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Written by

Akanksha Biradar