Player mobility

After Eastham's case, the 'transfer' part of 'retain and transfer' remained mostly unchanged until the Bosman ruling in 1995. Before that, any team consists primarily of domestic players. A players' right to choose an employer without undue restriction, pressure, or interference, is critical to freely pursuing sporting and economic opportunities.

No-negging offers

In the mid-1970s, the League and the Players' Union agreed that clubs who wanted to re-sign a player, in most cases, had to provide them with a contract whose terms were no less favorable than those of the previous one.

Short-term contracts

After Eastham, long-term contracts remain outliers. Most players rely on terms of one or two years, highlighting a volatile employment market. The Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players states a general five-year limitation; anything longer is rare and based on national labor law.

The global fight for player mobility

In 1969's professional Major League Baseball (MLB) player Curt Flood brought a legal challenge to the 'reserve clause'. This 'reserve clause' tied players almost irrevocably to their first team. After an initial loss in the Supreme Court, the clause ended in 1976.

Freedom of movement

For decades, players and their unions have fought worldwide for change at a national and international level and across sports for decades. The freedom of movement of athletes remains a priority and challenge.