Providing support to the next generation of worker advocates in honor of the MLBPA’s late Executive Director
The Michael Weiner Scholarship for Labor Studies seeks to recognize and support the efforts of graduate and/or law school students dedicated to improving the lives of workers. The Players Trust awards $50,000 annually to fund up to five scholarships at a minimum of $10,000 each. To date, the Trust has proudly awarded $440,000 in scholarships to 43 students.
The Players Trust also provides support, resources, and networking opportunities to alumni of the scholarship program as they continue to move forward in their educational and vocational journeys.
About Michael Weiner
Michael Weiner spent 25 years, nearly his entire professional career, with the Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA) working in support of Players –past, present and future. Despite being diagnosed with cancer in August of 2012, Michael continued working on behalf of the players until passing in November 2013, at the age of 51.
By nearly every conceivable measure, baseball players are better off today than they were when Michael first walked into the MLBPA offices in 1988. Michael fundamentally believed that workers –in all facets – deserved a voice on the job. Michael was widely respected for his love for family, infectious personality and his brilliance. The MLBPA and the players want him to be remembered as a champion for all workers seeking an opportunity to better their lives.
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Selection Committee
Scholarship recipients are selected by a committee made up of some of those who were closest to Michael, both professionally and personally. Meet our 2024 selection committee members:
Diane Margolin Weiner, Wife of the late Michael Weiner | Of Counsel, Margolin & Neuner
Cindy Abercrombie, Contract Administrator, MLBPA
Jeff Fannell, Outside Counsel, MLBPA
Bob Lenaghan, Assistant General Counsel, MLBPA
Ian Penny, Senior Advisor to the Executive Director, MLBPA
Scholarship Application and Eligibility Requirements
The 2024 application process is now closed.
To be eligible for an award, applicants must be graduate or law students enrolled in an accredited educational institution in the United States and graduating no sooner than December 2024. Further, applicants must have a demonstrated interest in, and wish to make a career out of, working in the labor movement and on behalf of workers’ rights. To receive an award, eligible candidates must also meet a combination of criteria identified below:
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A strong academic record;
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Demonstrated prior commitment to workers’ rights as shown by employment, volunteer work, or other relevant experience;
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Demonstrated financial need;
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A recommendation from an academic or a labor/workers’ rights practitioner, and
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Strong written and oral communication skills.
We encourage all interested students to apply as consideration for the scholarship will be based upon a candidate’s entire portfolio.
Testimonials
Hear what our alumni have to say about the Michael Weiner Scholarship!
We are proud to partner with International Scholarship and Tuition Services (ISTS).
Applicants will need to create an ISTS account to apply for this scholarship.
For questions about the application process, please visit https://istsprogramsupport.com/
For general inquiries, please contact the MLB Players Trust at playerstrust@mlbpa.org
