1. Q Group Conference & Seminar
October 28, 2019
Kenneth L. Shropshire

2. Athletes Die Two Deaths: Current Thinking on Post Playing Success
Kenneth L. Shropshire
CEO, Global Sport Institute
Adidas Distinguished Professor of Global Sport, Arizona State University
Professor Emeritus, Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania

3. 2019 Miami Dolphins Business Combine
Today
What is the post playing experience status of elite athletes and why should we care?
My involvement?
Why important for you?
How do we “revive”?
2019 Miami Dolphins Business Combine

4. “The quintessential story of sport is the fact that great athletes die two deaths. They die the first death when they no longer play their sport, and then they also die, of course, like all of us do. Their second death is, in many cases, much, much later.” - Roger Kahn

5. The Current State of Life After College Sport

6. What Should be Done?(and Why I Really Care)

7. Who Makes it to the Pros?

8. Average Pro Sport Experience “Career” Length?
NFL 3.5 years
NBA 4.8 years
MLB 5.6 years
NHL 5.5 years
George Blanda at 48 years old.

9. Who Earns Degrees? NCAA Graduation Rate Increasing
NFL Players with degrees declining
Greater lifetime earning capacity with degree than without
Shaquille O’Neal receives his bachelors’ degree in 2000.

10. League and Player Revenue Snapshots
NFL, MLB and NBA a combined 30 billion in annual revenue
Russel Wilson is at the top in the NFL making $140 million over 4 years
One year minimum $480,000
League Annual Average Player Salaries
$2.7 NFL (median $860,000)
$4.0 MLB
$7.1 NBA

11. What is Being Done? Focus on Finances?

12. The Solution?
In American society, professional and Olympic caliber athletes are often forced to forego traditional educational, personal and career development opportunities due to an overemphasis on the “athlete identity” and lack of flexible options.  There is a wide range of athlete experiences that makes it impossible to apply “one-size fits all” approaches and requires flexibility and dexterity in any comprehensive tactical methodologies to address this issue. 

13. Other Models? The Military
Soldier Identity = Athlete Identity
Purpose
Loss of purpose
Mayo Clinic
Grief

14. Message for Broader Society
Your purpose
Career v. Experience
Start young

15. Questions? Thank you!