San Francisco, CA: Moneyball Experience

Taught by Wharton Professor of Statistics and Data Science, Adi Wyner, and guest lecturers, the San Francisco Moneyball Experience is a two-week introduction to statistics and coding. By the end of the program, students will better understand sports analyses in articles they may read, and will create their own sports analysis project. Students will also learn basics in how to read and write code in R, the advanced statistical programming language used by professional statisticians. This program includes sports related trips to local sporting organizations.  Additionally, the Moneyball Experience offers the opportunity learn from and network with other analytically minded students, which can prove extremely valuable as students continue in the sports industry. 

Application Info
Applications Open 11/25

Overview

Moneyball Experience is a two-week, in-person program hosted at our Wharton San Francisco Campus, broadly introducing students to statistics through a sports lens. Hosted by the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and the Wharton Sports Analytics and Business Initiative (WSABI), this program welcomes talented students intrigued by statistics. Students applying to this program should have strong math skills and an interest in sports. 

The summer experience serves as an entrée into the sports statistics world as it is not heavily focused on computing but rather the fundamental principles of sports statistics. Throughout the program, students will work collaboratively with peers to complete a final data analytics project, which may be featured in the Wharton Sports Analytics Journal. They will also hear from guest speakers with real-world experience in sports analytics. Wharton Professor Adi Wyner and guest faculty teach the program.  

Each summer, Moneyball Experience students:  

  • Master data fundamentals to create and interpret basic statistical tools for summarizing and describing data. 
  • Apply probability concepts to understand their implications in sports and everyday life. 
  • Build data interpretation skills by comparing statistical results and identifying trends or patterns in real-world sports data. 
  • Analyze relationships through regression, using critical thinking to interpret data while recognizing potential biases or limitations. 
  • Explore San Francisco and the Bay Area with focused trips and site visits to learn directly from industry experts and gain insights into the world of sports analytics. 

These skills prepare students to make informed, data-driven decisions using statistical tools and methods applicable to sports analytics and beyond. 

All participants who successfully complete the program will earn a Wharton Global Youth Certificate of Completion.  

Details

Academic classes are held Monday-Friday of week one, and Monday through Thursday of week two within the Wharton San Francisco academic campus. Extracurricular and social activities are available in the evenings and on weekends. Students move in on Sunday pre-program, and move out the final Friday of the program.    

While each day varies in format, a typical day includes:  

  • 8:15-8:45 – Shuttle from university dorms to Wharton San Francisco academic campus  
  • 9:00-10:30am – Topics lecture  
  • 10:30-10:45am – Mid-morning break  
  • 10:45-12:00pm – Recitation/small-group activity/office hours  
  • 12:00-1:30pm – Lunch & student team meetings  
  • 1:30-2:30 – Guest Speaker  
  • 2:30-4:30pm – Computing in R lecture  
  • 4:30-5:00 – Breakout sessions and group work 
  • 5:00pm - Shuttle back to university dorms or evening activities 

Session topics include:  

  • Introductory statistics (including graphical and numerical summaries of data) 
  • Basic probability theory 
  • Statistical reasoning 
  • Regression analysis by examining sports data  

In the evenings, students will have a number of extracurricular and social activities to choose from, as well as opportunities to explore the art, history, and culture of San Francisco. Students can also opt to work on their final project with their group and/or relax at the dorm.  

Please note, some days may not follow this schedule as there could be a company or league visit off campus or a simulation in lieu of lecture/recitation schedule.  

Eligibility

Eligibility 

High school students currently enrolled in grades 10-11 with a strong math background and a love of sports are encouraged to apply. An interest in computer programming is strongly recommended, but no specific experience or background is required. International applicants are welcome.

Admission 

Admission to the Moneyball Experience program is selective. Wharton will select approximately 50 students to attend the program. Selections are based on a record of academic excellence, demonstrated math skills, and a genuine interest in sports analytics. Interested students are strongly encouraged to submit an application by the priority deadline.  

Please note that participation in the Moneyball Experience program does not guarantee admission into Penn.

Instructional Team

Faculty Leader: Adi Wyner
Professor Wyner received his Bachelors degrees in Mathematics from Yale University, where he graduated Magna Cum Laude with distinction in his major. He was the recipient of the Stanley Prize for excellence in Mathematics. His PhD in Statistics is from Stanford University, where he won a National Science Foundation Graduate Fellowship, the Abrams Prize and the Herz Foundation fellowship. After graduating from Stanford, he received the NSF post-graduate fellowship and a visiting Professorship at the University of California, Berkeley. Dr. Wyner has been a Professor of Statistics at the Wharton School of Business for the last 11 years. He is a tenured Professor and the Chair of the Undergraduate Program in Statistics and Data Science for the University of Pennsylvania.

Instructor: Paul Sabin

Dr. Sabin is a Lecturer in the Department of Statistics and Data Science at the Wharton School and a Senior Fellow at The Wharton Sports Analytics & Business Initiative. With a background in statistics and French, Dr. Sabin has dedicated his career to sports analytics. At Wharton, he teaches and leads sports analytics research projects while also providing consulting services. His extensive professional experience spans all major sports, having worked with teams and projects across the NFL, Power 5 FBS football, NBA, college basketball, MLS, European soccer, MLB, and with sports media leader ESPN. Previously, Dr. Sabin was Vice President of Football Analytics at SumerSports, where he directed football analytics efforts with NFL teams. Before joining SumerSports, he served as a Senior Sports Data Scientist at ESPN. During his tenure at ESPN, he led the redesign and relaunch of BPI and introduced Strength of Record (SOR) for college basketball—both now official metrics for the NCAA tournament selection committee. Dr. Sabin also developed ESPN’s Allstate Playoff Predictor for college football, Fantasy Soccer Projections, and contributed to other metrics such as NFL FPI and NBA BPI. He has authored numerous articles for espn.com and created an innovative objective rating system for college football and NFL players, advancing the field of sports analytics. 

Dates

  • Jul 20 - Aug 1, 2025

Location

San Francisco, USA (on-campus)

Application Deadlines

Priority deadline:

 

January 29, 2025

 

Final deadline:

 

April 2, 2025

Additional Info

Application Deadlines

Summer 2022 applications are now closed

Contact

For more information, please contact whartonyouth@wharton.upenn.edu or call +1.516.414.5555.