MLBPA Staff Promotions Advance And Protect Athletes’ Rights

The Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA) announced several key staff promotions last Wednesday, which aim to improve their ability to advance and protect players’ rights.

The previous senior director of collective bargaining and legal, Bruce Meyer, has been promoted to deputy executive director.

Meyer joined the MLPBA in 2016 after spending 30 years as a senior legal advisor at the NHLPA and a partner at the law firm Weil, Gotshal & Manges.

The role will include advising MLBPA executive director, Tony Clark, on all labour negotiations.

Commenting on Clark’s leadership, Meyer, said: “Under Tony Clark’s leadership the MLBPA has made great strides including on the business and collective bargaining fronts.”

“Our union is as strong as it has ever been,” he said.

Ian Penny will move from his senior advisor role to become an executive director, he joined the MLBPA as a labour counsel in 2010 after serving as general counsel for the NHLPA and will bring over 30 years of experience as an advocate for workers’ rights

After joining the MLBPA from the NHLPA in 2011, Matt Nussbaum will serve as a general counsel, with the role taking care of the overall management of their legal department.

Nussbaum has been an essential part of the MLB’s last three bargaining negotiations and is also a recipient of Sports Business Journal’s ‘Top 40 Under 40’.

Kevin Slowey is now the senior director of player services, he joined the MLBPA in 2015 after playing seven MLB seasons with the Miami Marlins and the Minnesota Twins.

Slowey has been a critical part in collective bargaining as a player and staff member and will continue to be a primary channel between athletes and staff.

Chris Capuano becomes the senior director of operations, business and strategy.

Capuano joined the MLBPA in 2019 after 12 seasons in the league and will continue to work directly with MLBPA chief operating officer, Xavier James, with the role seeing him take on additional responsibilities on MLBPA business and strategic initiatives.

Commenting on the appointments, MLBPA Executive Director, Tony Clark, said: “Our Players are the best in the world at what they do, and they have a staff working on their behalf that mirrors that same level of excellence,” he said.

“These promotions are a further reflection of that standard,” Clark said.