Beyond the game: Mastering your transition to a thriving post-sport career
Executive Director, Wealth Advisor
J.P. Morgan Athlete Center of Excellence
- Start planning before the final buzzer: Thinking ahead about your goals and lifestyle gives you more control when the season ends.
- Understand what changes if you move: Relocating to a new state can affect everything from how your property is owned to how you’re taxed.
- Build your income with flexibility: Replacing your paycheck as a player might mean using investments, side ventures or passions in new ways.
Every athlete eventually faces the same question: What comes next?
After years of routines, pressure and physical performance, stepping off the field, court or track can feel like stepping into the unknown. And while that shift might feel daunting at first, it’s also a rare opportunity: a chance to build a life that reflects your values, interests and goals beyond sports.
For many, this is the first time in years that their schedule, location and future are entirely their own to shape. But with that freedom comes a new set of decisions. Where should you live? What kind of income will support your next chapter? How do you make sure your money keeps working for you?
The right plan can make this next phase more rewarding and less overwhelming. This article offers a roadmap to help you stay confident and prepared as you transition into life after sports.
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Looking ahead: Planning your post-sports life
Athletes often find that when the seasons stop, the routines do too. What used to be a full calendar of practices, team meetings, workouts and travel shifts to new habits. And these shifts can feel like a relief or a challenge, depending on how prepared you are.
Identify your goals
Start by imagining what a fulfilling day looks like when sports aren’t at the center of it. For some, that means getting involved with local organizations or mentoring. For others, it’s going back to school, starting a business or spending more time with family.
The key is to be intentional. Having even a loose vision can help you make more aligned choices. Early first steps could look like financial planning, finding a new home or exploring ways to generate income on your terms. Not everything needs to be figured out right away, but knowing what matters to you will help you make better decisions as you shape your next chapter.
Build a team to support your next chapter
Just like on the field, success in the financial planning space comes from preparation and support. Surrounding yourself with professionals (accountants, legal experts and financial advisors) can potentially help you avoid common pitfalls and focus on what you’re building.
A team of specialists can also help evaluate new business opportunities or ventures. While some former athletes have launched successful companies or investment funds, others have faced public setbacks tied to rushed or overly risky decisions. Asking the right questions and taking time to understand what’s at stake can help you grow your legacy with confidence.
Preparing for relocation and lifestyle changes post-sports
It’s common to relocate after career retirement, sometimes to be closer to family, to enjoy a different climate or to pursue new business opportunities. But beyond lifestyle shifts, moving states can carry real financial and legal implications, impacting how your property is managed, how much you owe in taxes and what your estate plan needs to include.
Know the rules about property ownership
Every state treats ownership differently. Your new state’s property rules may even surprise you. In most states, the name on the title determines who controls it. But in nine states, known as community property states (like California, Texas and Arizona), anything earned during the marriage is considered jointly owned by both spouses, no matter whose name it’s under.
So if you’re married and move from a separate property state, where what’s yours is yours, to a community property state, where most of what’s earned together is shared, your estate plan and finances might need updating.
Even more surprising: Property that was community-owned doesn’t automatically stop being community property just because you’ve moved. You’d have to take specific legal steps, called transmutation, to change how that property is treated under the law.
Know the tax laws before you move
State income taxes can vary dramatically. Some states, like Florida or Tennessee, have no income tax. Others, like New York or California can take a significant share of your income – even if you are not a full-time resident of these states – especially if you continue earning through endorsements, appearances or business ventures.
Estate taxes also vary by state. Inheritance laws, gift taxes and even how property transfers are handled could all affect your family down the line.
And if you don’t make your new home official in the eyes of the state, your old state may still consider you a resident and tax you as one. Proving your new domicile means updating your driver’s license, voter registration, bank location and even where you keep personal items like artwork or family pets. This can all become part of your relocation checklist.
Securing financial stability for retirement as an athlete
Once your playing income stops, your financial strategy could also shift as well. You’re likely moving from a high-earning period into a stage where preserving and growing your wealth becomes more important than chasing the next big check.
Create cash flow that matches your life
Cash flow doesn’t just mean salary. It also means being able to cover your lifestyle comfortably and predictably. That might involve drawing from investments, rental income or savings accounts that were built during your playing years.
One method athletes use is the "bucket strategy," where money is split into near term (like day-to-day living), mid-term (like a house or new business) and long term (like retirement) segments. This helps make sure that each part of your plan is funded at the right time rather than dipping into long-term investments for short-term needs.
A thoughtful strategy will also account for taxes, market changes and personal goals and evolve as your life does.
Figure out what work looks like now
Not every athlete wants to fully retire. In fact, many continue working on their own terms. Athletes today have more ways than ever to build income beyond the field, from endorsements and media to entrepreneurship and investing. Some explore income streams that don’t require full-time involvement like licensing deals, private investments, rental properties or structured payouts from endorsements. The key is aligning these opportunities with your long-term plan.
- Do you want to start a business? Make sure you understand the startup costs, risks and legal protections you may need.
- Are you interested in investing in real estate or private companies? Consider how these investments fit with your liquidity needs and tax plan.
- Are you interested in broadcasting or speaking engagements? Think through the time commitment and how it aligns with your goals.
- Are you passionate about a specific cause? The next chapter could also involve philanthropy, community development or mentorship.
The earlier you explore these options, the more choices you create. That might mean shadowing someone in an industry you’re curious about, pursuing online education, or working with a mentor or financial advisor to clarify your goals. A thoughtful, proactive approach can help you say yes to the right opportunities without overextending yourself.
Building your financial legacy after your sports career
Your legacy is about more than money. It’s about the impact you leave behind on your family, your community and the world around you.
Invest in others
Mentorship is one of the most powerful ways former athletes give back. Some athletes choose to formalize this through foundations, scholarships or educational programs. Others keep it personal and one-on-one. Whether you’re helping young players navigate contracts, stay grounded or plan their futures, your experience is valuable to the next generation.
Philanthropy is another way to create lasting impact and generate opportunities for others. It could look like direct giving, establishing a donor-advised fund or setting up a private foundation. Working with advisors who understand charitable giving can help ensure your giving is structured in a tax-efficient way and aligned with your broader estate plan.
Protect what you’ve built
Estate planning is important to ensure everything you’ve worked for continues to support the people and causes you care about. That can include setting up wills, trusts, powers of attorney and health care directives.
If you’ve earned income from your name, image or likeness or own intellectual property like media rights, those assets may need special planning too. Working with professionals who understand how those pieces fit together can help avoid confusion or conflict down the road.
The bottom line
Make your next chapter your own. With the right planning, it can be just as meaningful and dynamic as your time in sports.
Relocating, changing careers, supporting your family and/or giving back – each choice becomes easier when you have a strategy in place. A J.P. Morgan advisor can help guide you through the details and support your vision so you can move forward with clarity and confidence.
Frequently asked questions about the transition to life after sports
Ideally, before your final season. Early planning gives you more flexibility to shape your next steps, whether that means relocating, investing or exploring new career opportunities.
It’s the money available to support your lifestyle. That might come from savings, investment income, part-time work or business ventures. The goal is to have a stable, sustainable income that supports the life you want to live.
In community property states, assets earned during marriage are considered jointly owned. In separate property states, ownership is usually based on whose name is on the asset. These rules affect estate plans, taxes and even debt responsibility.
Maybe. Laws differ by state, especially around property ownership, taxes and marital rights. A move could create new risks or opportunities, so it’s a good time to review your plan with your financial advisor and legal team.
Many athletes do. Whether you’re pursuing media, investing or mentoring, your experience has value. Align new work with your long-term goals and plan for how each role fits into your financial picture.
There are many ways to give back, from informal mentorship to structured charitable giving. Working with financial advisors can help ensure your efforts are meaningful, sustainable and aligned with your estate and tax plans.
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Executive Director, Wealth Advisor
J.P. Morgan Athlete Center of Excellence
