The Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA) announced a series of promotions for prominent members of its staff that will enhance the union’s ability to promote and protect player rights.
Bruce Meyer, who has served as senior director of negotiations and legal affairs and was an integral part of the most recent negotiating effort for the new collective bargaining agreement, has been promoted to deputy executive director. Prior to joining the MLBPA, Meyer was a Senior Legal Counsel at the National Hockey League Players Association (NHLPA) and a partner at the law firm of Weil, Gotshal & Manges, where he represented player unions for decades. in each of North America’s major professional sports. In his new position, Meyer will continue to advise CEO Tony Clark while taking a leadership role in all labor negotiations.
Ian Penny has been promoted to Senior Advisor to the CEO. A veteran of the National Labor Relations Board, the NHLPA and over a decade in the MLBPA, Penny has over 30 years of experience as an advocate for workers’ rights. He joined the MLBPA as Labor Counsel in 2010 after serving as General Counsel to the NHLPA, and will continue to be a key legal advisor to Clark.
Matt Nussbaum has been promoted to General Counsel. Nussbaum initially joined the MLBPA in 2011 after three years in the NHLPA, and has been a key player in baseball’s last three collective bargaining agreement negotiations. Award winner for "Top 40 Under 40s" ("top 40 under 40") of Sports Business Journal, Nussbaum has served as deputy general counsel since 2017 and will now assume overall management of the legal department.
Kevin Slowey has been promoted to Senior Director of Player Services. A second-round draft pick in 2005, Slowey played seven seasons in the major leagues with the Miami Marlins and Minnesota Twins. Slowey, who was an active member of the executive board as a player, joined the MLBPA in 2015 as director of player services after concluding his playing career. He has played a critical role in collective bargaining as an active player and MLBPA staff member, and will continue his role as the primary liaison between active Players and MLBPA staff.
Chris Capuano, who joined the MLBPA in 2019 after 12 seasons in the majors, has been promoted to senior director of operations, business & strategy. A graduate of Duke University and MIT, Capuano will continue to work directly with COO Xavier D. James on a wide range of association matters while assuming other responsibilities focused on the MLBPA’s strategic and business initiatives. .
Jeff Perconte has been promoted to the position of Deputy General Counsel. Perconte joined the MLBPA in 2017 after several years as a federal prosecutor in the Chicago, Illinois, District Attorney’s Office, and also worked at the law firms Winston & Strawn and Drinker Biddle & Reath (today Faegre Drinker). As Vice General Counsel, Perconte will manage internal and external litigation files and work with Matt Nussbaum to oversee the MLBPA’s legal staff.
“Our Players are the best in the world at what they do, and the people who work on their behalf reflect that same level of excellence. These promotions more reflect that standard,” Clark said.
