National Case Study: Major League Baseball

National Case Study: Major League Baseball

Company Description

Major League Baseball (MLB) is committed to enhancing the game of Baseball at all levels of play. The League promotes the play of 14 teams in the American League and 16 teams in the National League. They provide assistance and regulation for Major League Baseball.

Philosophy on Diversity

MLB promotes diversity through new, ongoing programs that reach-out and respond to a diverse cross section of the community, and encourage minority participation at all levels of the game. The purpose of the programs are to "grow the game of baseball while, at the same time, cultivating diversity in all aspects of the game; to make meaningful contributions to the development of minority communities; to provide safe, organized recreational activities for urban youth; and to prepare minority high school players for college and professional baseball & softball programs." This is what Bud Selig, Commissioner of Baseball believes. He takes diversity in the game very personally, he feels it's his personal responsibility to continue (what started in 1947 with Jackie Robinson) and take it forward.

Diversity Implementation

Major League Baseball has partnered up with minority and women business organizations that promote diversity and provide MLB and its clubs with maximum access to diverse vendors. This has been established to cultivate new and existing partnerships with minority-owned and woman-owned businesses and giving them a chance to compete. MLB signed individual partner agreements with both NMSDC (National Minority Supplier Development Council) and WBENC (Women's Business Enterprise National Council). "By partnering with these organizations, we've created conduits through which MLB can effectively build these business relationships, and provide our clubs with access to specialized knowledge and resources that support the League's efforts," said Wendy Lewis, Vice President, Strategic Planning for Recruitment and Diversity of MLB. "Through these agreements, MLB's Diverse Business Partners Program continues to evolve and grow and serve as a working model for all professional sports."

Many clubs have adopted the view of MLB in its diverse supplier initiative. Mike Spidale, manager of purchasing for the White Sox, said, "We believe it's the right thing to do, it's simply a good business practice. When you increase the pool of vendors and the number of bids, you're going to get better pricing. It's a matter of being proactive and finding mutually beneficial relationships. You have to know who's out there before a need arises, or you'll just keep going back to the same people that you've used in the past." DeAndre Berry, manager of purchasing for the Detroit Tigers saw immediate cost savings through the program's implementation. "We've gone from a decentralized purchasing process, with every department buying their own supplies, to a more centralized procedure. It's given us a more thorough investigation of the pricing/bid process, resulting in a huge amount of savings."

Harriet Michel, president, National Minority Supplier Development Council, said "Major League Baseball's membership signals its firm commitment to the growth of minority-owned businesses, one of the most energetic, entrepreneurial forces in America. MLB's support of minority business development helps build the foundations for a stronger, more equitable society in which all can flourish."

Another example of the MLB's commitment to enhancing diversity is the sale of the Anaheim Angels to Arturo Moreno, who became the first Latino majority owner of a Major League team.

Results

"The Diverse Business Partners Program is an important and strategic initiative and is pursued with a commitment to long-term success. It has been designed to promote efficiency and profitability for Major League Baseball and its Clubs, while extending baseball's ability to contribute to the economic strength and well-being of diverse communities." Wendy Lewis, Major League Baseball Vice President, Strategic Planning, Recruitment and Diversity told the audience of the 33rd Annual Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Legislative Conference.

The Milwaukee Brewers were named the winner of this year's honoree for the Spirit of Diversity Award from the Milwaukee Urban League. The award is given to a company that is making a difference in the community and demonstrating commitment to workplace diversity by offering opportunities for advancement to women and people of color. In selecting the Brewers, the Milwaukee Urban League noted the club has had two significant firsts in its leadership history: Wendy Selig-Prieb was the first woman President and CEO to head a Major League Baseball Club and Ulice Payne Jr. is the first African-American individual to be Milwaukee Brewers President and CEO. The club also has women and people of color heading up a number of key departments in the organization including Stadium Operations, Legal Counsel, Brewers Charities, Community Relations, Youth Baseball Programs, Corporate Sales/Partnerships, Human Resources, Entertainment, Telecommunications, Suite Services, Guest Relations as well as Chair of the Milwaukee Brewers Board. The baseball club was also commended for its Brewers Buddies program, which distributed more than 23,000 complimentary tickets to kids, low income families and community groups this year, for contributing team merchandise and sponsorship dollars to more than 1,500 organizations and for bringing thirteen Spanish-language broadcasts to fans during the 2003 season. They have nicknamed Miller Park baseball field the "People's Park."

MLB has initiated an integration of major league athletes with diverse individuals who have a drive and a yearning to 'be something.' This cooperation has the potential to do great things in the world of equality through Teamwork.