If athletes’ second lives are solid, more athletes will take on the world of professional and corporate sports. Building a foundation to support their second lives will raise the level of Japanese sports. Even if their professional challenge fails, it’s necessary to create a foundation that allows them to live a secure second life. Sports organizations are gradually addressing these needs. Athletes’ attitudes toward money are also changing. One university soccer club is even offering asset management courses. In the past, many athletes focused on their sport and only considered financial matters around retirement. However, with the spread of NISAs and other factors, more athletes are now starting to manage their assets early.
While players like Shohei Ohtani and Rui Hachimura have enjoyed spectacular success, only a handful enjoy huge annual salaries. Surveys show that 90% of professional and corporate athletes worry about money. Only about 40% of respondents said they have a proper asset management system. Companies that can alleviate these concerns have an advantage in recruiting players. The Urayasu D-Rocks rugby team is one such company. They have begun offering second career training to current and former employees. Training for current employees takes place during the off-season, from June to July. For players retiring this season, support continues from July to December, after the current players retire. Through interviews with career consultants, they help them consider their ideal future and prepare for it.
J apan’s sports industry continues to grow. It has grown from 6 trillion yen to 8 trillion yen industry and is aiming to reach 15 trillion yen. Excellent athletes will undoubtedly drive this growth. High-quality, sophisticated skills satisfy spectators. Satisfied spectators increase television ratings and attendance at stadiums. Higher viewership leads to increased sponsorship revenue and allows for higher broadcasting rights. Increased attendance leads to higher ticket prices and increased revenue from sales of original merchandise. Increasing the number of spectators stabilizes corporate sports management. The issue is what happens to the athletes who drive this stability and prosperity when they retire. One way to help solve this issue is for teams and their affiliated companies to provide athletes with a place to learn about their second life. It is hoped that companies that employ athletes will provide more support to enrich their athletes’ second lives.
