One number that changes how you see money in sports
The average sports career lasts 10 years. And the average athlete depends on a single income source the entire time -- a contract or a scholarship.
One injured ankle, one bad year, one coach who doesn't need you -- and suddenly you have nothing. No money, no leverage, no choice.
This isn't fear-mongering. It's a reality that doesn't get talked about much in the locker room.
The difference between the average athlete and the smart athlete isn't the contract. It's the mindset. One hopes it works out. The other creates options -- even when nothing is happening.
How most athletes handle finances (and why it doesn't work)
Ask any athlete how they handle finances. The answer is usually the same: "It's working now, and I'll figure it out later." They wait for the contract. Wait for the season. Wait for a better offer.
The problem isn't that they wait. The problem is that waiting is their only strategy.
Then an injury happens. Or the club folds. Or you can't agree on terms. Now what? Save. Wait. Hope. And take out loans for things you could normally afford.
I knew players who took out a loan just to go on vacation during the off-season. Because their contract ended in April and the new one started in July. Three months of nothing. And no safety net.
Multiple income streams don't mean you're slacking on sports
Here's the biggest myth I have to bust. A lot of athletes think that focusing on anything besides sports means not being fully committed. That it's a distraction. A weakness.
It's not. It's the opposite.
If you depend on a single income source, then every practice, every game, every contract negotiation happens under pressure. You have to succeed. You have no safety net. And the fear of losing that one thing paradoxically holds you back -- it doesn't push you forward.
Athletes with side income walk into negotiations with their club more relaxed. They can say no when the offer isn't worth it. And that's a massive advantage in any negotiation.
What this means in practice: side income during your career
I'm not talking about launching a company or working 40 hours a week. I'm talking about side income that works even without a game or practice.
Here are examples of what actually works for athletes between 18 and 28:
- Coaching youth -- 2-3 sessions a week. You're using what you know from sports. And you're getting better at it yourself.
- Content creation on social media -- if you train every day, you have something to share. A clip from practice, a behind-the-scenes tip, a look into your world. It starts organically, but can bring partnerships and income.
- Personal training -- weekends or mornings outside your training block. 3-4 clients at a reasonable rate can bring in solid extra cash each month without major effort.
- Online consultations or courses -- if you have specific knowledge (nutrition, mental preparation, technique in your sport), you can structure it and sell it.
- Brand partnerships -- sports brands are looking for authentic faces. You don't need a million followers. A community that trusts you is enough.
All of this can be done right now, during your career. You don't need to wait for anything.
Where to start: three concrete steps
The worst thing you can do is overthink it. So here are three concrete steps:
1. Figure out what you depend on
Write down all your income sources on a piece of paper. One? Two? Is it a scholarship, contract, parental support? Look at that list and ask yourself one question: what happens if one of them disappears?
2. Pick one thing and try it for three months
Don't pick ten things at once. Pick one -- preferably something that builds on what you know from sports. And give it three months. Don't stress about results in the first week.
3. Set a boundary
Side income must not eat into your training. Rule: maximum 8-10 hours a week during the season. In the off-season, you can do more. Training is still the top priority -- that doesn't change.
Real example: A hockey player named Tom started coaching kids at his club at 19. Twice a week, the whole season. After a year he had $2,000 saved. Thanks to that, he could afford to turn down a contract at a club where he wasn't respected -- and wait for a better offer. Without that money, he would have taken anything just to survive.
Freedom isn't about money. It's about choice.
This is the main point.
Multiple income streams won't make you rich overnight. They give you the ability to choose. You don't have to take every contract out of desperation. You don't have to fear every injury. You don't have to depend on whether the coach puts you in.
And that's a different way to play sports. Lighter. Freer.
The average athlete waits to see what happens. The smart athlete prepares, even when nothing is happening.
The difference isn't talent. It's mindset.
If you want concrete tips on how to start earning alongside sports, check out Personal Branding for Athletes -- there are practical examples of what actually works.