Being a professional athlete is both prestigious and challenging. It isn’t a lengthy career, but athletes acquire many transferable skills during their athletic careers. They are often highly motivated individuals who know the value of discipline and hard work. These athletes know they can’t rely on a sports career for the long haul and need to prepare for what to do next. Most professional athletes in the United States retire under the age of 30. Here are some common paths they take when they retire from professional sports.
Build a career in sales
Many professional sports players take on sales roles after leaving pro sports. According to LinkedIn data, 27% of U.S. pro athletes become sales professionals. Many of the skills that drive athletes on the field translate well into sales such as a competitive mindset and the ability to set and achieve goals.
Professional athletes may go into selling sporting equipment or sportswear. They may work for businesses that can increase their sales by benefiting from their expertise. A notable trend is the involvement of former professional athletes in the sports betting industry. Their insights and experience can add value to predictions and analyses. This can attract more fans who appreciate an insider’s view on games.
Become entrepreneurs
Beyond sales and coaching, a sizable number of professional athletes become entrepreneurs. If they are recognized figures with many subscribers on social media platforms, they can capitalize on their reputations when becoming entrepreneurs. They may be able to quickly build a community around a new venture. Sports and wellness are some of the top industries they favor, and a few of them pursue a career in real estate.
NFL linebacker, Stephen Tulloch, began to buy and renovate property when he retired. He has continued to expand his entrepreneurial activities and in 2019 began building a chain of coffee shops. Former professional boxer, George Foreman, is arguably as famous for his George Foreman Grills as his boxing today.
Go into coaching
Many professional athletes gravitate towards coaching after they retire. Their knowledge and experience can make their input invaluable to aspiring athletes. Many NFL players have such a love for the game that they want to guide new talents after they retire. They may become coaches of NFL, high school, or college football teams. Some coaches earn enough to live in luxury apartments while others, like some high school coaches, don’t earn that much.
Continue their education
Professional athletes often put their education on hold to focus on their careers in sports. After retirement, they have the option of pursuing higher education degrees. They may decide to do an MBA related to coaching and sports administration. Their experience in the sports field can stand them in good stead while seeking further education and open many doors for them after they complete their studies. They will often work in management roles and executive positions or serve on businesses’ organization boards.
Work with media or public relations
Professional athletes understand the importance of maintaining a good public image. This is why one of the jobs they may consider is in media or public relations. They may venture into sports media as announcers or sports journalists. They understand what it’s like to be in the spotlight and what appeals to viewers. As image consultants, they can help clients work with media outlets and handle public relations issues.
Professional sports leagues and unions have begun to take a more active role in helping pro athletes to find after-retirement jobs. For example, the NFL helps former athletes to train in areas like broadcasting and public speaking.
Conclusion
Many pro athletes struggle to make a transition after their sporting careers end. They may be in their 20s or 30s and need to think about what they are going to do if they want to enter a fulfilling post-athletic career. A growing number of organizations are giving attention to the struggles competitive athletes may face and helping them to make the transition.
