• Loading stock data...
Thursday, September 11, 2025
Tuned In is Almost Sold Out! Limited Tickets Remain!

Major League Baseball Invests In Life After The Game

Tapping of Northeastern is a good step for the league.

Image via sportslogos.net

All too often we hear about our favorite athletes going broke once they retire from their respective professional sport.

Of the major four professional leagues in the United States (MLB, NBA, NFL, NHL), the NBA and NFL Player’s Associations set the standard for preparing players for life after their playing days are over.

The NBPA has programs such as Sportscaster U., which prepares current NBA players for a post-playing career in broadcasting during the offseason. The NFLPA has initiatives set up for former players through The Trust, which assists them but also has programs such as externships to help current players.

https://frontofficesports.com/braves-and-racetrac-find-winning-formula-with-beat-the-freeze-72030696f2c

However, the MLBPA did not have any programs or initiatives in place to assist players for life after the game. There are a few reasons this could be, including the fact that MLB contracts include guaranteed money and the season includes 162 games over a six-month span.

Due to the lack of programs in place, I saw a need for a transition program for MLB/MiLB players, which led me to creating a hypothetical post-playing career program as my capstone project during my studies at Georgetown.

This week, however, it seems the MLB took a page out of my capstone project and partnered with Northeastern University to create a partnership allowing and encouraging players looking to begin or complete their degrees at Northeastern.

Image via twitter.

This deal is a first of its kind between MLB and a university, as the league looks to ensure that team education funds are used at schools with a strong academic reputation.

Players drafted out of high school, who have signed a NLI with a university, have a clause built into their first contract stating the team will pay for the player to take classes at the school to which he committed.

However, once these players begin their careers, they usually never take advantage of this opportunity — until now.

The MLB’s partnership with Northeastern University is the first of its kind for the league. Photo via wikipedia.

According to Paul Misfud, MLB’s Vice President and Deputy General Counsel for Labor Relations and Player Programs, the deal will not prevent players from attending the accredited institution of their choice, but if they are looking for recommendations, they will be nudged toward Northeastern.

The Boston-based school is not unfamiliar with helping professionals earn their degrees. Four years ago, the school partnered with the Boston Ballet to help dancers earn their degrees both online and on-campus.

Twenty dancers took advantage of the program, and three have graduated thus far.

Professional baseball, on the other hand, has 5,000 MiLB and 1,200 MLB players eligible to enroll in the program.

https://frontofficesports.com/braves-and-racetrac-find-winning-formula-with-beat-the-freeze-72030696f2c

While it is difficult to determine how many players will actually take part in the program, they have various opportunities to either start or complete a degree. Given that players can be drafted multiple times (unlike other leagues), the amount of education varies greatly.

According to Mifsud, MLB hopes this one-year (with option to be renewed annually) contract with Northeastern will be particularly appealing to international players who lack traditional education.

While it seems that Major League Baseball has recruited the knowledge I obtained throughout my capstone project (from countless hours of research, interviews and writing), the league has taken a step towards improving the lives of its athletes after the game.

As the partnership kicks off, it will be interesting to see if other schools attempt to follow suit and sign on as partners. And if anyone in the league office needs any more ideas for future post-playing career initiatives, feel free to reach out (only slightly kidding).


Front Office Sports is a leading multi-platform publication and industry resource that covers the intersection of business and sports.

Want to learn more, or have a story featured about you or your organization? Contact us today.

https://upscri.be/f32ae1

If you liked this, click the???? below so other people will see this here on Medium.


Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Sep 10, 2025; Bronx, New York, USA; A general view of the main scoreboard at Yankee Stadium during a moment of silence for Charlie Kirk before the game between the New York Yankees and the Detroit Tigers.

Yankees Prepare for Security Chaos With Trump at 9/11 Game, Days After..

The team told fans to arrive three hours early without any bags.
Feb 17, 2024; Boise, Idaho, USA; Fresno State Bulldogs guard Jalen Weaver (5) during the first half against the Boise State Broncos at ExtraMile Arena.

NCAA Bans 3 Basketball Players for Violating Betting Rules Last Season

The former San Jose State and Fresno State players have lost eligibility.

Lachlan Murdoch’s Victory Brings Stability to Fox Sports Rights Future

The network’s status quo is solidified in the complex financial settlement.
StubHub

StubHub Seeks Big Valuation in Revived IPO Despite $112M Loss

The ticket marketplace looks to raise as much as $851 million.

Featured Today

Eagles-Chiefs Super Bowl Rematch Could Set More NFL Ratings Records

Fox will nationally televise Sunday afternoon’s matchup.
September 10, 2025

ESPN’s ‘MNF’ Ratings Up 8% As NFL Surges to Strong Start

ESPN posts its second-best Week 1 “Monday Night Football” audience.
Sep 7, 2025; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills fans react during the fourth quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at Highmark Stadium.
September 9, 2025

As Bills Ascend, Their Next Frontier Lies in Canada

Buffalo and the powerful Canadian entity MLSE come together in a new pact.
opinion
September 9, 2025

The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly from NFL’s Week 1 Broadcasts

Many viewers decried the addition of ads to “NFL RedZone.”

Ohio State–Texas Showdown Was Most-Watched Week 1 CFB Game Ever

Fox drew 16.62 million viewers on Saturday afternoon.
August 11, 2025

NBA Christmas Schedule Leans on LeBron, Steph While Betting on Flagg

The Lakers, Warriors, and Rockets are all in action.
Oklahoma Sooners defensive back Woodi Washington (5) runs after a reception during the Armed Forces Bowl football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Navy Midshipmen at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth, Texas, Friday, Dec. 27, 2024.
August 19, 2025

Oklahoma Selling Fans Tickets to Press Conferences

Press conference tickets for the Sooners’ season opener are already sold out.
Sponsored

How World Series Champ Dexter Fowler Became a Premier League Team Owner

Dexter Fowler discusses navigating retirement and embracing new roles as an owner & investor.
August 10, 2025

Bears CEO: Arlington Heights Only Local Location for New Stadium

The Bears currently play in Soldier Field in downtown Chicago.
August 8, 2025

Three Schools Sue Mountain West, Commish Over Withheld Funds

Boise State, Colorado State, and Utah State intensified the court battle.
Courtesy: Harlem Globetrotters
July 25, 2025

The Harlem Globetrotters Have Changed Hands Repeatedly, but Keep Making Money

The team is gearing up for its 100th season.
July 16, 2025

Judge Rules for NFL, Fanatics Against Small Apparel Seller

The lawsuit argued the NFL “aids and abets” Fanatics with its strategy.