Life as a professional athlete is rewarding in numerous ways. Pro athletes are often paid higher-than-average salaries to pursue their passions full-time. However, the average career of a professional athlete is usually limited to just a few years due to injuries and aging.
While many pro athletes earn millions of dollars over multiple contracts, most do not make enough money to retire comfortably after their playing days. Fortunately, there are many great second careers for former pro athletes, allowing them to use the secondary skills they have acquired, such as leadership and insider knowledge of the sport.
Let’s look at six of the best second careers for retired professional athletes.
1. Sports Broadcasting
Sports broadcasting is a common choice for athletes, as a detailed understanding of the sport is crucial for this role. Former athletes can also draw on their playing careers to offer a first-hand perspective of what goes on both during the game and away from the field.
While former star athletes with charisma may be offered a television role without experience or a degree, most aspiring broadcasters must get a bachelor’s degree in broadcasting, journalism, or communications and build a portfolio before landing a job.
However, not all former athletes will make good sports commentators, as many of the requisite skills, such as a good speaking voice and strong verbal, interpersonal, and interviewing skills, cannot be acquired from playing alone.
For those who possess these skills, sports broadcasting can be a seamless transition that allows them to continue working within their passion with a comfortable salary long after they’ve hung up their cleats for the last time.
2. Coaching
Coaching is a logical option for athletes who gain a strong understanding of the game’s strategy as players. Head coaching jobs in the major professional leagues are highly competitive. Still, former athletes can begin their careers in assistant coaching in the pros or as high school or college coaches. Those who excel typically rise through the ranks to more prominent and higher-paying positions.
However, former athletes considering pursuing coaching should be aware of the challenges of this career path. Most coaching jobs are part-time, and most coaches have second jobs to support themselves. The most common arrangement is teaching full-time while coaching part-time, so aspiring coaches should consider returning to college for a teaching certification.
These coaching positions are not limited to organized team sports. Former athletes can use their experience in various other types of coaching roles, such as fitness coaching or personal coaching of other athletes. For instance, a former quarterback could find a new career helping young quarterbacks develop their skills during the offseason.
3. Sports Psychology
Any former athlete understands how critical the mental aspects of professional competition are to success. Sports psychologists help athletes adjust their thinking to perform at the highest possible level.
Some common challenges these licensed therapists address include performance anxiety, fear of failure, and returning to competition after a serious injury. A sports psychologist helps their client address these and other mental hurdles through self-help techniques like improved focus, relaxation, visualization, and motivation.
Former athletes can provide a valuable firsthand perspective as sports psychologists. They can draw on their experiences to connect with and better understand their clients, demonstrating a heightened sensitivity and empathy in their practice. Sports psychologists can be self-employed with private practices or work as staff members in hospitals, physical rehabilitation centers, universities, and high schools. Some pro sports teams also have sports psychologists on their staff, which can be demanding and time-consuming, but these are often the highest-paying jobs in the field.
4. Physical Therapy
Physical therapists often work with athletes during recovery from sports-related injuries, as well as clients with chronic physical ailments.
Breaking into this field requires plenty of hard work, as a doctor of physical therapy degree is one of the main requirements, even for entry-level positions. Physical therapists also must pass the National Physical Therapy Examination before receiving their licenses to practice. Many physical therapists also get certified through the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialities.
But for those with the work ethic to earn this degree and these certifications, physical therapy can be a gratifying career. Former athletes bring extra empathy, especially if they have experienced severe injuries that required physical therapy.
5. Sports Photography
Sports photographers work on the sidelines of sporting events, taking snapshots for sports news, advertisements, and social media. This can be a great second career for former pros who miss being part of an action, as they are right there on the field capturing incredible shots of the game.
Some high-profile athletes have found second careers as sports photographers. Randy Johnson, a Hall-of-Fame baseball player, has transitioned into a career as a sideline photographer for NFL games and has expanded his portfolio to include diverse subjects such as concerts, wildlife, and travel photography. Ken Griffey Jr., another Hall of Famer, has likewise transformed his passion for photography into a post-baseball career. He has been spotted on NFL sidelines and capturing Lionel Messi during a professional soccer match in Florida.
6.Executive Recruiter/Talent Acquisition
The competitive nature of sports seamlessly translates into the world of executive recruiting and talent acquisition. Former athletes understand what it takes to be at the top of one’s game. This insight proves invaluable when identifying top talent for organizations. Equipped with keen networking skills, the ability to assess potential, and a relentless drive to win, many former athletes thrive in this profession. They assist businesses in onboarding the crème de la crème, ensuring that the same excellence they showcased in their athletic careers translates into the corporate world.
By exploring these career paths, former athletes can continue to channel their passion, knowledge, and dedication long after their professional sporting careers come to an end. Whether they choose to remain close to the field, apply their knowledge in a therapeutic setting, or dive into the corporate world, the skills honed during their athletic journeys can set them up for success in various spheres.