BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — The Indiana University Kelley School of Business has teamed up with the Major League Baseball Players Association to offer current and former players a chance to pursue a graduate education in preparation for careers when their playing days are over.
This partnership, which is modeled after the Kelley School’s agreements with the unions representing players in the National Football League, Major League Soccer, the Women’s National Basketball Association and throughout professional rugby, will support the Major League Baseball Players Association’s commitment to providing meaningful pathways for its members.
“This is yet another example of how the Kelley School is seen by highly competitive and accomplished professional athletes, and their representatives, as providing a high-quality education that meets their individual needs,” said Ash Soni, dean of the Kelley School and the Sungkyunkwan Professor. “When it comes to delivering our graduate degrees, we provide players with a world-class business education.”
Current and former major and minor league players will have the opportunity to pursue online MBA or Master of Science degrees in business analytics, finance and strategic management, as well as graduate certificates in business analytics and business management and non-degree professional programs. They are delivered online by the Kelley School’s Executive Education Programs.
Key features of the partnership include flexible learning formats focused on the educational experience while accommodating the busy schedules of the athletes and their families; tailored guidance and support from Kelley School advisors; and opportunities to obtain certifications, complete degree programs or take individual courses that align with personal and professional goals.
So far, 85 members of the NFL Players Association have earned MBAs and other master’s degrees through its partnership with Kelley, and another 40 current and former players are working toward completing their graduate educations. The school also is seeing a spike in applications from athletes in other programs.
The Major League Baseball Players Association represents players on the 40-man major league rosters, as well as approximately 5,500 minor league players. In addition to current and former major and minor league players, their spouses and domestic partners are also eligible.
The average major league career is just under four years, and a player’s post-playing career is a lot longer than his days on the baseball diamond. In addition, only a small percentage of minor leaguers realize their dream of playing in the majors.
“This new partnership between the MLBPA and the Kelley School of Business represents a significant step in our ongoing commitment to enhance the professional and personal development of our players,” said Chris Singleton, an association special assistant for player resource programs and a former major league outfielder. “All of our player programs aim to bring unparalleled value to our members as well as their families, and the Kelley School’s sterling reputation and demonstrated success with similar sports union initiatives make it the perfect partner in this endeavor.”
Students enrolled through the MLBPA/Kelley School partnership will be part of a general group of students and will have an opportunity to learn with those enrolled in similar specialized certificate or degree programs, offering them a broader perspective of business and economic issues.
Courses are taught by the same high-ranked faculty who teach in Kelley’s full-time programs.
Many of these classes will be taught using the school’s $10 million Brian D. Jellison Studios. The immersive, state-of-the-art studios enhance the delivery of course content and provide an even more dynamic experience, with faculty and students being together virtually as if they were in an in-person classroom.
The MLBPA/Kelley partnership is one example of customized education at the school. For more information about Kelley Executive Education Programs, email keep@iu.edu.
