STEVE SCHNEIDER
President
MLBPA Certified Agent
saschneider@esgbaseball.com
Steve Schneider has represented baseball players as an attorney and agent since 1974. An author and lecturer, he is an acknowledged expert in sports law, contract negotiation and baseball arbitration. As a trial and business attorney for more than 50 years, Steve has extensive experience in representing clients in all types of real estate, contract and business matters.
In addition to directly representing baseball players, for many years Steve represented a number of non-lawyer sports agents and high-profile players as their primary contract negotiator, strategist and presenter of arbitrations. He also negotiated many free-agent contracts that were the largest of their time. Steve regularly serves as an advisor to high school and college athletes and their families, providing counseling and assistance in all aspects of draft analysis, contract evaluation and player presentation.
Steve graduated from UCLA in 1962 with a degree in Political Science and from the UCLA School of Law in 1965. He has been practicing law as a member of the California State Bar since 1966, and is a principal of the law firm of Schneider & Warren, Inc. Steve and his wife Sharie live in Sherman Oaks, California, and have two married daughters, Stacy and Jennifer, and five grandchildren.
MATT KLEIN
Vice President, Business & Player Development
MLBPA Certified Agent
mklein@esgbaseball.com
A former minor league (Oakland A’s) and collegiate (UCLA) player, Matt has a unique understanding of what it takes to play competitively at the highest levels. Matt pitched for UCLA from 1996 to 1998, where he appeared in 48 games and compiled an 8-3 record with seven saves. He was selected as the Pac-10 pitcher of the week and still holds the UCLA record for most College World Series appearances. Before enrolling at UCLA, Matt attended Santa Ynez High School where his 10-2 record with a 1.21 ERA helped him earn All-League, All-CIF and All-State (California) honors.
Matt signed professionally with the Oakland A’s in 1998. His dedication to the community in his first professional season earned him the “Dave Stewart Community Service Award”, which is presented to the Oakland A’s minor league player who displays exceptional community service throughout the season.
As a MLBPA Certified Agent, Matt serves as an advisor to high school and college athletes and their families. His expertise is a valuable asset in helping athletes transition from the amateur to the professional ranks. Matt graduated from UCLA in 1998 with a degree in Sociology. He and his family reside in Westwood, California.
JOHANN ALEXANDER
Director of East Coast Operations
MLBPA Certified Agent
Johann Alexander possesses a proven track record of advising and negotiating on behalf of top prospects in the draft as well as representing players throughout their professional career. He founded the boutique sports agency J. Alexander Sports & Entertainment Management in 2013 and then merged his company with Elite Sports Group in 2018. He has personally brokered numerous contracts for players in the top-10 rounds of the draft as well as handling the day-to-day needs for athletes all the way up to the Major Leagues.
Beyond having strong relationships with Major League organizations and equipment companies, Johann has developed close working arrangements with Latin American baseball clubs, which enables him to seek top winter league opportunities for ESG clients. All told, he has represented more than 60 players.
As a player, Johann competed at the NCAA Division II level. He received a scholarship at Kutztown University where he was a member of the school’s 2010 Mid-Atlantic championship team that played in that season’s College World Series. He was also a high school standout for the perennial powerhouse and nationally ranked Riverdale Baptist High School.
He earned a business management degree from Fisher College in Boston, MA. Johann is currently finishing his masters degree through the Georgetown University SIM (Sports Industry Management) program. He currently lives in Brooklyn, New York.