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. 

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Overview

Moneyball Experience is a two-week, immersive, in-person summer program hosted at the Wharton San Francisco Campus that introduces high-achieving students to statistics through the lens of sports. Hosted by the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and the Wharton Sports Analytics and Business Initiative (WSABI), the program welcomes talented students with strong math skills and a curiosity about how data shapes decision-making in sports and beyond.

Designed as an accessible entrée into the world of sports statistics, the program emphasizes foundational statistical thinking rather than advanced computing. Students collaborate closely with peers on a capstone data analytics project, applying core concepts to real-world sports questions. Select projects may be featured in the Wharton Sports Analytics Journal, offering students the opportunity to showcase their work to a broader audience.

Throughout the program, students learn directly from industry leaders and practitioners actively shaping the field of sports analytics, including professionals from the NFL, Major League Baseball, media, technology, and analytics firms. Past and featured speakers include Dan Rubin (Cleat Street), Andrew N. Patton, PhD (NFL), Sam Schwartzstein (Amazon Prime Video’s Thursday Night Football), Ian Barnett (former professor and Data Scientist at Swish Analytics), and Eric Eager (VP, Football Analytics).

Experiential learning is a core component of the Moneyball Experience. Students participate in site visits and behind-the-scenes “chalk talks” with leading organizations and teams, which may include:

  • Oracle Park, featuring a speaker panel with the SF Giants’ baseball strategy, engineering, and analytics leadership, moderated by Bill Schlough, CIO
  • Chase Center (Golden State Warriors and Valkyries)
  • Levi’s Stadium (San Francisco 49ers)
  • Stanford University Athletic Facilities, including a session with the football team’s general manager
  • Bay FC (NWSL)
  • An on-site analytics session with the University of San Francisco men’s basketball program

The program is taught by Wharton Professor Adi Wyner and WSABI Senior Fellow Paul Sabin, combining academic rigor with real-world application.

Each summer, Moneyball Experience students:

  • Master data fundamentals to create and interpret essential statistical tools for summarizing and describing data
  • Apply probability concepts to understand uncertainty and decision-making in sports and everyday life
  • Build data interpretation skills by comparing results and identifying trends and patterns in real-world sports data
  • Analyze relationships using regression, developing critical thinking while recognizing bias, limitations, and context
  • Explore San Francisco and the Bay Area through curated site visits that provide firsthand exposure to the sports analytics ecosystem

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 19 - Jul 31, 2026

Location

San Francisco, USA (on-campus)

Application Deadlines

Priority deadline:

 

January 28, 2026

 

Final deadline:

 

March 18, 2026

Additional Info

Contact

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