Professional athletes have challenging wealth management needs. They make millions but they have short careers. For the FA, a 24-year-old fullback should have the financial profile of a 50-something baby boomer—that is, a person on the verge of retirement.
Then there is the professional athlete’s propensity to lose the money almost as fast as they make it. The financial ruin of professional athletes has become a cliché. Blog The Business Insider this morning created a list of the top ten ways professional athletes blow their wealth.
Within two years of retirement, 78 percent of former NFL players have gone bankrupt or are under financial stress because of joblessness or divorce; within five years of retirement, an estimated 60 percent of former NBA players are broke; and MLB players suffer similar fates according to a recent Sports Illustrated story. It’s no wonder, More pros are selling their championship rings for dosh, says Timothy Robins, owner of Championshiprings.net, a fence for athletes’ jewelry. Robbins says he’s seen a 36 percent increase in sales during the past year.
For more about the unique wealth management needs of the pros go to On The Financial Gridiron and here for their particular estate planning needs.