The journey to becoming a professional athlete is exciting – and challenging.
After declaring their eligibility for the NFL, NBA or MLB drafts, athletes face rigorous training sessions, grueling team workouts, in-depth interviews with prospective employers, and extensive travel throughout the country – all before being drafted by a team that’s likely in a different city from where they live.
It’s an exhausting process. And expensive, too.
Young athletes (or their families) may not be easily able to afford the financial investment required to launch their career. Complicating this is the reality that players may not have earned money through paying jobs during their college years due to their heavy athletic and academic responsibilities.
But, it doesn’t stop there. Once their eligibility ends, players may no longer be eligible for their school’s meal plan, and may have to start paying back the cost of their disability policy. Perhaps they’ll need a car or housing, too.
Financial Support at the Right Moment
Our Global Sports & Entertainment group offers lending options through Morgan Stanley Commercial Financial Services LLC to help athletes navigate their path to their first signing bonus or professional paycheck. Pre-draft loans may be available to players projected to be selected in higher rounds of the draft and post-draft loans may be available for individuals actually taken in those rounds.
The post-draft loans typically represent 5-10% of the athlete’s signing bonus. Loan amounts generally range between $65,000 - $175,000 with an indicative interest rate of 5.08% as of 10/11/20211.
These unsecured, short-term 6- to 13-month loans are meant to cover expenses generated in the months immediately preceding and following the draft. The money can be used for meals, rent, utilities, travel costs, training expenses, and more at the player’s discretion. (Funds cannot be used to purchase securities.)
This can be a better alternative than seeking funding through other sources, or potentially maxing out higher rate credit cards.
It’s easy to get started. A GSE director will meet with the athlete to assess their needs, and provide initial guidance. If the player qualifies and is approved for the loan, they’ll open a brokerage account with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, and the money will be directly deposited into the account. Athletes aren’t required to deposit any other funds into the account, such as their signing bonus.
Once the loan has been funded, players will have access to a debit card, mobile app, and bill pay2 all at no cost to obtain; debit card and bill pay may have fees attached for certain usage.
While athletes may become a GSE client, they’re not required to develop an advisory relationship with us. A player can simply partner with GSE to help finance their path to the NFL, NBA or MLB. Other than paying back the loan, there are no other conditions attached.
The Importance of Financial Literacy
Athletes also can take advantage of our financial education program.
Designed for their unique life, it empowers them to deal with current and future situations by covering relevant topics such as budgeting, spending, credit, debt, cash flow, establishing financial boundaries, preparing for the unexpected, and dealing with sudden wealth.
Our financial literacy program promotes this initiative by instilling sound money management principles in athletes at a young age that can last the rest of their lives.
Additionally, players have the option of teaming up with Global Sports & Entertainment directors who have significant experience advising sports and entertainment professionals about wealth planning. The directors may be able to provide practical, real-world guidance for emerging talent, as well as their families.
Taking the Next Step
Even if an athlete just wants to talk with us to get a second opinion about their options, we’re here to help.
It’s all part of our mission to give back to the sports and entertainment community by providing the skills and knowledge to help athletes make smart choices about their finances. We want athletes to not only think about today, but tomorrow, too.
Interested in learning more about our pre- and post-draft loan program? Connect today with a Global Sports & Entertainment director near you.
