Michael Schwimer

Founder and CEO of Big League Advantage. My mission is to help athletes achieve their dreams. Minority owner of Leeds United

[Michael Schwimer @mschwimer]

I am thrilled to announce that the following athletes have partnered with @BigLeagueAdv to invest in @LUFC

@MichaelPhelps
@JordanSpieth
@JustinThomas34
@Larrydn22
Myles Jack
@TJMcConnell
@6ErikJohnson
@GabeLandeskog92

Other athletes have joined our group but prefer to remain nameless.

So excited to be a part of taking Leeds back to the EPL where they belong! Lots more to come.

MOT!!!!!!

[Michael Schwimer @mschwimer]

For all those who are looking for the truth about BLA and the Fernando Tatis Jr. deal this is a good read.

[Big League Advantage @BigLeagueAdv]

For those curious about BLA, the case involving Fernando Tatis, Jr., and how we operate as a company please read this entire post that debunks several misconceptions.

BLA has operated for over 10 years, signing more than 700 players. Our founder, Michael Schwimer, was a former MLB player who built this company to help players maximize their chances of MLB success.

Misconceptions:

“BLA is investing in people.”
BLA has never invested in a person. BLA invests in a specific income stream: a player’s future earnings as a Major League professional baseball player. For example, BLA receives nothing from Fernando Tatis Jr.’s endorsement deals or any other income he earns or may earn in another field or profession.

“Players are obligated to play baseball if they do a deal with BLA.”
There is no obligation in the BLA contract that requires a player to continue to play baseball. Multiple players have signed with BLA and quit baseball within days of receiving the capital. There is no recourse to BLA if a player never reaches the Major Leagues for any reason.

“BLA does deals with minors.”
BLA has never done a deal with a player under the age of 18.

“Players do not understand BLA deals.”
Not only do players have their own lawyers review the contracts with them, but each player is also asked a series of questions confirming that they understand all material terms about the contract. If they do not answer those questions correctly on record, BLA will not sign a contract with them.

As an example, before Fernando Tatis, Jr., signed an agreement with BLA he was asked, “Do you understand, that by signing this contract, if you make $500M in the big leagues, you will owe BLA $50M throughout the course of your career?” Fernando replied “yes.”

“BLA offers loans to players.”
BLA has never offered a loan to a player. Every deal BLA does is an investment transaction. Loans have principal, interest rates, and payback schedules. Our agreements have none of these things because the funds we provide a player are a non-recourse investment.

BLA offers a player a set amount of upfront capital in exchange for a percentage of the player’s future MLB earnings. The player can choose the % (and therefore the total investment $ amount) that he is comfortable with. This means every player can do a deal for as little as 1% of future earnings if he chooses. The player makes the choice. If a player does not make it to the MLB, he owes BLA nothing.

The relationship is similar to an entrepreneur who accepts outside capital from investors to increase his business plan’s odds of success. Players seek out BLA investments to increase their odds of success as a professional athlete, just like an entrepreneur gives up financial upside in the future to improve his chances of success. BLA invests hoping that the player is successful but also knowing that the investment will be lost if the player does not make it to MLB—just like any business investor who has no guarantee he will ever see a return.

“Players do these deals because they are betting against themselves.”
Many players use BLA funds for nutritional upgrades, trainers, physical care, analytical services, mental clarity, investment opportunities, and several other things to help increase their chances of making it to the big leagues. These players are signing a deal with BLA to give themselves the highest possible chance to achieve their dream of reaching and staying in the MLB. They are betting ON themselves.

“BLA is taking advantage of players.”
As noted above, BLA works to ensure players have a full understanding of the terms of the contract. We provide guaranteed capital to players with no certainty of a player’s promotion or success in the big leagues. The truth is that only about 10% of minor league players will play even 1 day in MLB, and roughly 70% of the players who enter agreements with BLA will either not make it to the big leagues at all or, if they do, not pay BLA more than the original BLA investment.

In fact, BLA signed deals with nearly 200 players who fit this profile. They collectively received more than $40 million from BLA. What do they have in common? They were able to use and keep BLA’s investment even if they never made it to MLB and even if they never came close to paying BLA the original investment amount.

“Why is there so much bad press on BLA?”
As noted above, the vast majority of BLA players don’t make it to MLB but still get to benefit from BLA’s investment. We understand that those stories get no coverage because most readers aren’t interested to read that “Player X gets cut from professional baseball but is now able to transition easily to his next chapter in life because of the investment from BLA.” Meanwhile an isolated dispute with a high-profile player like Fernando gets thousands of clicks. We understand this reality but the facts are the facts—the public only hears about a small number of disgruntled players, not the majority of players who have worked with BLA to improve their lives and their chances.

Interestingly, this type of bad press doesn’t exist in any other industry. For example, when early investors invested in Amazon, and Jeff Bezos accepted upfront capital and gave up future financial upside in order to give his business the best chances to succeed, even though those investors have made +1000x return on their investment, no one thinks those investors took advantage of Jeff Bezos.

“Why would a player who thinks they will definitely make it to the MLB do this deal?”
99% of players that do deals with BLA believe that they will be future MLB All Stars. In our conversations with players, the most common theme is that they believe they can use the money from BLA while still in the minor leagues to help them get to the big leagues faster, ultimately increasing their career earning potential. They seek BLA’s investment to help them realize their full potential on the field and in their future earnings.

Our original relationship with Fernando is a good example. After he received $2 million, Tatis said publicly that he used the funds to hire a personal trainer, upgrade his offseason practice field, and improve his nutrition and living arrangements. He said that he wouldn’t “spend that money stupidly” and he freely acknowledged what would happen if he made “all that big money.” His own Father, also a successful former MLB player, praised what BLA did for Fernando Jr. because it allowed him to better prepare to reach the big leagues as quickly as possible.

“Have BLA’s agreements been tested legally?”
Yes. Although the vast majority of our 700+ players have used their BLA funds and lived up to their promises, a small handful have legally challenged their agreements. The agreements have been upheld by arbitrators and judges numerous times. Most recently an arbitrator and retired judge ruled against Fernando on all of his claims and awarded BLA all of the money Fernando owed plus attorneys’ fees and interest. Fernando’s lawyers then challenged that award in court and they lost again.

We are proud of the work we do with the players who enjoy long careers and earn generational wealth. But we are just as proud of our investments that go to the vast majority of players who never make it but leave the game in a better financial position because of BLA. The choice to enter a deal with BLA is always the player’s to make.

@JoePompliano
@darrenrovell
@heitner
@Sportico
@mikedeportes
@ryanripkenshow
@LaPelotaDeAqui
@McCannSportsLaw
@kbadenhausen
@FOS
@TheJacobTurner
@DavidPSamson
@jasonrmcintyre

[Kellen Buffington @BuffThe806GM]

REAL hoops in 2 weeks.

WHEW‼️

[Michael Schwimer @mschwimer]

This needs to happen! We must save college sports!

[Cody Campbell @CodyC64]

Through the article below, we were thrilled to learn that @GregSankey has finally expressed willingness to engage in a discussion about amending the Sports Broadcasting Act! This law has not been updated in nearly 65 years, and we all know that a lot has changed in sports media since way back then!

To address his specific concerns:

1. There is no legal or commercial necessity to upend, interrupt, or break the current media deals and/or to disband the conferences. Changing this law will simply provide opportunity for ALL of the conferences to make much more money as their current media deals expire, which should be something they ALL want - We KNOW they all need the money. Athletic department deficits in ALL of conferences are staggeringly large in the status quo.

2. Yes, media rights were once unified (before the mid 80’s). Again, a lot has changed since then. Those were the days when we all only had 3 TV stations and we had to tune into watch games with our rabbit-ear antennas. Most games were broadcast only on the radio. Come on, man!!

3. There is DEFINITELY more money that can be made through modifying the SBA. Virtually all media experts, institutions, non-profits, and other groups that have commissioned extensive (and expensive) studies (including Saving College Sports) have concluded that the conservative financial benefit would be an additional $7B per year in revenue added to the system. These are not made up numbers. They are based on empirical, hard data, they are real, and they are massive!

If we modify the SBA, conferences like the SEC and BIG 10 will make a huge amount of additional money per school ($tens of millions), and the smaller schools will have enough to survive. This additional money will allow payments to be made pursuant to the House Settlement, and will leave enough money to fund roster spots and scholarships in women’s sports and Olympic sports. Without changes to this antiquated law, some very painful and very harmful cuts are inevitable, hundreds of thousands of kids will lose the opportunity to play sports, and hundreds of schools and communities will be hurt.

Let’s have a conversation and Save College Sports!!

https://t.co/10asrXIUA0

[Cody Campbell @CodyC64]

Through the article below, we were thrilled to learn that @GregSankey has finally expressed willingness to engage in a discussion about amending the Sports Broadcasting Act! This law has not been updated in nearly 65 years, and we all know that a lot has changed in sports media since way back then!

To address his specific concerns:

1. There is no legal or commercial necessity to upend, interrupt, or break the current media deals and/or to disband the conferences. Changing this law will simply provide opportunity for ALL of the conferences to make much more money as their current media deals expire, which should be something they ALL want - We KNOW they all need the money. Athletic department deficits in ALL of conferences are staggeringly large in the status quo.

2. Yes, media rights were once unified (before the mid 80’s). Again, a lot has changed since then. Those were the days when we all only had 3 TV stations and we had to tune into watch games with our rabbit-ear antennas. Most games were broadcast only on the radio. Come on, man!!

3. There is DEFINITELY more money that can be made through modifying the SBA. Virtually all media experts, institutions, non-profits, and other groups that have commissioned extensive (and expensive) studies (including Saving College Sports) have concluded that the conservative financial benefit would be an additional $7B per year in revenue added to the system. These are not made up numbers. They are based on empirical, hard data, they are real, and they are massive!

If we modify the SBA, conferences like the SEC and BIG 10 will make a huge amount of additional money per school ($tens of millions), and the smaller schools will have enough to survive. This additional money will allow payments to be made pursuant to the House Settlement, and will leave enough money to fund roster spots and scholarships in women’s sports and Olympic sports. Without changes to this antiquated law, some very painful and very harmful cuts are inevitable, hundreds of thousands of kids will lose the opportunity to play sports, and hundreds of schools and communities will be hurt.

Let’s have a conversation and Save College Sports!!

https://t.co/10asrXIUA0

[Michael Schwimer @mschwimer]

Enjoyed going on the @mitidss pod. For sports and data lovers that want to live the dream go through the @BigLeagueAdv career page!

[MIT IDSS @mitidss]

What happened to being loyal to your team and college? Why are there a growing number of players with 4 or more universities in their career? On Data Nation our hosts @libertyvittert and @muntherdahleh talk with @mschwimer to unpack these questions.
https://t.co/XsCXq5ICeq

[Michael Schwimer @mschwimer]

I am excited to share that I’m joining the USA for UNHCR Board of Directors! Together with incredible colleagues, we’ll work to elevate the mission of protecting and supporting refugees worldwide. USA for UNHCR is dedicated to mobilizing resources, raising awareness, and driving solutions for displaced people across the globe. Grateful to be part of this meaningful journey! 🌍💙

[Michael Schwimer @mschwimer]

Very excited to get home and give this a read! @Richard37215662 always delivers.

[Michael Schwimer @mschwimer]

@shegone03 @MLB @AMBS_Kernan @MLBPA @BNightengale @Buster_ESPN @pgammo @FoxNews @RVGDag @SalMarinello @wg22659 @TheRealJHair @notgaetti @BobFile @ClintHurdle13 @GreggOlson30 @VictorRojas I heard all of this before betting. Just by blowing a game in Philly.

They are still best fans in sports as a whole!

[Ryan C. Fowler @RyanCFowler]

This is a fascinating conversation

[Michael Schwimer @mschwimer]

Excited to jump on!

[Ryan C. Fowler @RyanCFowler]

Coming up at 2:15, we will have Michael Schwimer, (@mschwimer) a basketball analytics expert for Alabama Crimson Tide, discuss why @nate_oats system is successful.

@TheGAMEon1009 with @RyanCFowler

Listen live on https://t.co/QqkPA1admu or Tide 100.9 app

[Michael Schwimer @mschwimer]

This is so cool! As I have always said @BigLeagueAdv was built “By Players, For Players.” With a lot of utter BS being written it’s always good to go straight to the source and hear what actual players that do these deals have to say.

[Boston Herald @bostonherald]

Opinion | In recent years, a number of investment firms have started offering minor league athletes, in baseball as well as other sports, lump-sum payments in return for a cut of their future earnings if they ultimately make it to the big leagues. https://t.co/2W6UCuiVEG

[Michael Schwimer @mschwimer]

I sent @MichaelPhelps a text to see if he wanted to talk to Alabama basketball. Within a day he gave an incredible speech to the squad before the biggest game of their lives. Forever grateful to this wonderful man!!!

[Kyle Shirley @KyleShirley]

Met the human highlight real @iNickPringle and the unofficial GM @mschwimer

[Michael Schwimer @mschwimer]

Way too kind. Big one tomorrow night!!!

[Richard Kent @Richard37215662]

I am pleased and proud to have been a consultant with Schwimmer since 2021. No one is smarter in the business. He ability to pick apart college basketball offenses boggles the mind. I try to watch games through his lens. Bama is not here without him!

[Michael Schwimer @mschwimer]

This is all thanks to the team at Sports Analytics Advantage. Nothing better than working with incredible people that are all smarter than me every day. Learning is the best!

[Dennis Dodd @dennisdoddcbs]

Inside the "beautiful mind" of @AlabamaMBB "secret weapon". A former Phillies pitcher and minority owner of @LUFC is the brains behind the outfit. https://t.co/qUjBBAirbl

[Michael Schwimer @mschwimer]

Can’t believe it. Incredible work by everyone at Sports Analytics Advantage for being a part of this run!!!! Roll Tide!

[Michael Schwimer @mschwimer]

Massive Landon Jackson fan. Love being able to help good role model athletes. Bright future alert!!!

[Big League Advantage @BigLeagueAdv]

With the help of #BLA, Landon Jackson hosted a charity event for the Children's Alopecia Project. Along with providing a donation, Landon spent some time with many members of the community, sharing life stories and experiences.

We love to see our #BLAAthletes #GivingBack!

[Michael Schwimer @mschwimer]

This quote is part of our data science philosophy. Always ask questions. Never settle for “because this is how it is” BS. Applies to many fields.

[Bill Miller @billfour]

“Because that’s how it was done yesterday” is a terrible reason to do anything, including money. #bitcoin

[Michael Schwimer @mschwimer]

For those of you who heard about us in September with our relationships to football players I highly recommend listening to the father of a 3rd round pick in the NFL draft. @ChipLaMarca. Might clear up a lot of the misconceptions that went around. Proud of our 550+ athletes!

[Big League Advantage @BigLeagueAdv]

🎙️ Episode 03 of Empowering Your Dreams LIVE!

Scott Stromberg, father of NFL player and BLA athlete Ricky Stromberg, discusses how BLA provided financial security and gave him confidence in his son's NFL dreams.

Listen in via Spotify, Apple, or Google.

[Michael Schwimer @mschwimer]

This company was built “By Athletes For Athletes”

The reason we have done deals with 550+ is because athletes continue to endorse us to their teammates. None of this is possible without them!

Makes me feel so good to be able to help.

[Big League Advantage @BigLeagueAdv]

We're extremely grateful to work with a growing roster of talented, driven individuals. As we strive for new milestones, we are excited to continuously expand the #BLAFamily to support and empower more and more athletes around the world.