THE 5 METRICS EVERY ATHLETE MUST KNOW TO WIN FINANCIALLY

Hey Everyone,

Most athletes spend years perfecting their game but don’t apply the same discipline to their finances. Too often, players rely on non-guaranteed money, underestimate their future expenses, or fail to prepare for life after their playing days. If you want to build lasting wealth and avoid financial pitfalls, you need to know these five key financial metrics:

1. CMS: Current Monthly Spending

Start by looking at 2024 as a whole—how much did you really spend? This isn’t just your rent or car payment. We’re talking everything—jewelry, vacations, family expenses, gifts, investments, and the random purchases you don’t even remember. Add it all up, divide by 12, and that’s your average monthly spending.

Most athletes underestimate this number because they don’t track their spending. But you can’t build a financial plan if you don’t know how much you’re actually spending.

2. TMS: Target Monthly Spending

Once you know your CMS, ask yourself: should I be spending more, or less, based on where my life is heading?

•Are you getting married?

•Do you have a kid on the way?

•Are you about to buy a house?

•Or should you be cutting back because you don’t have guaranteed income coming in?

Your TMS is what your spending should be, given your current lifestyle and future plans. The goal is to be intentional with your spending, rather than reacting when it’s too late.

3. Guaranteed Money

Way too many athletes build their financial plan around money that isn’t actually guaranteed. That’s a huge mistake.

Guaranteed money = Cash in the bank + fully guaranteed contract money.

Everything else? That’s potential money—it’s not real until it’s in your account.

•You can’t base your lifestyle on future earnings you “expect” to get.

•If you get cut or injured, what money are you actually walking away with?

If your guaranteed money isn’t way bigger than your CMS, it’s time to rethink your financial plan.

4. Career Trajectory

Be real with yourself. Where are you in your career?

•Are you a bubble guy who could be out of the league next year?

•Are you an established vet with a long-term deal?

•Are you toward the end of your career, playing fewer minutes, or dealing with injuries?

Your financial plan should match your real situation, not your ambition. On the field, confidence is key. But when it comes to your money, you have to be honest.

5. Post-Career Earning Potential

What are you going to make after you’re done playing?

Unless you’re Tom Brady signing a $375M broadcasting deal, your post-career earnings probably won’t match what you’re making now.

•Want to be a coach? Research how much they make.

•Looking at broadcasting? You might start at $80K–$100K a year, not millions.

•Not planning to work? Do you have enough investments to cover your lifestyle?

If your post-career income doesn’t match your CMS or TMS, you need to figure out how you’ll make up the difference. Do you have assets generating cash flow? Do you need to adjust your lifestyle?

The Bottom Line

Once you know these five numbers, you can build a financial game plan that actually fits your situation.

Your homework:

1.Calculate your CMS (how much you’re spending now).

2.Set your TMS (how much you should be spending based on your life plans).

3.Know your Guaranteed Money (cash + fully guaranteed contract money).

4.Be honest about your Career Trajectory (how long will your money last?).

5.Assess your Post-Career Earning Potential (how much will you make later?).

If the numbers don’t add up, adjust now—before it’s too late. The athletes who win financially aren’t the ones who made the most money. They’re the ones who planned ahead.

It’s time to take control of your financial future.

Let’s get to work.

DK 💰