How Pro Athletes Can Stay Sharp In-Season (Without Adding Another “Job”)
When you’re in season, your schedule isn’t just full — it’s owned.
From lift to film to recovery to travel to interviews… there’s barely a spare hour, let alone time to think about your finances.
That’s why the goal during the season isn’t to overhaul your financial life.
It’s to protect your momentum — to keep the foundation strong while you’re focused on your craft.
You don’t need more meetings or spreadsheets.
You need a system that works in the background while you do what you do best.
Protect the Downside First
Every athlete learns this early: defense wins championships.
It’s no different off the field.
One of the smartest financial moves you can make mid-season isn’t to chase investments — it’s to protect what you already have.
That means:
Double checking you have the right insurance coverages for your situation — injury and disability coverage that actually covers you (not the bare-minimum policy you might have started out with).
Up-to-date beneficiaries and estate docs — the quiet paperwork that prevents chaos for your family if something ever happens.
Cash reserves — so one delayed check or missed incentive doesn’t force bad decisions.
You don’t win games by hoping the other team won’t score.
You win by knowing you’re covered when they do.
Automate the Basics — Then Forget About Them
During the season, your energy is your most valuable currency.
Every decision you don’t have to make is a win.
That’s why automation is the best financial strategy you’ll ever use.
Direct deposit → savings/investments: Route a portion of every check to savings and/or investments before it ever hits your spending account.
It likely makes sense to do this in addition to your league-sponsored 401(k) plan. Which if you’re not maxing those out… please consider getting the max in and taking advantage of the league matching contributions (free money!)
Bills and transfers on autopilot: Don’t waste recovery days paying bills or transferring money manually.
Bucket your money: Have separate accounts for spending, savings priorities (home remodel, big travel), and investing*. You don’t want it all sitting in cash, and you’ll want a plan for each dollar.
You don’t have to manage your money every week.
You just have to design the system once — or have someone trustworthy do it with you.
*Investing may include several different types of accounts (Brokerage account, Trust account, IRAs, Roth, etc.)
Filter Every “Opportunity” Through One Question
Every athlete gets pitched.
Restaurants, clothing lines, crypto startups, real estate syndicates — all “can’t miss” ideas with your name on the invite list.
Here’s a reality most vets learn the hard way:
If you’re hearing about it after your name adds value, you’re probably the product.
Before saying yes to anything, ask:
“Would I invest in this if no one knew I was involved?”
If the answer’s no — walk away.
Just because you CAN do a deal, doesn’t mean you should.
Great opportunities will still be there in the off-season, when you have time to think clearly and perform due diligence.
Keep Your “Money Team” Close
Pro sports veterans talk about how the best teams don’t just rely on their trainers — they rely on their teams behind the team.
Financially, that means your financial advisor, CPA, and attorney should be playing together, not separately.
When communication breaks down, so does efficiency — and so does trust.
The right setup isn’t about constant meetings; it’s about proactive check-ins:
15-minute monthly syncs with your advisor
Mid-season tax estimates (no surprises in April)
One clear line of communication so you can text questions and move on
That’s how financial life planning actually fits into a season — quietly, efficiently, and with zero extra noise.
Keep Your Lifestyle Grounded — Even When the Lights Are Bright
No one’s saying don’t enjoy your success. You earned it!
But there’s a difference between enjoying it and feeding it.
One MLS veteran I work with demonstrated this well throughout their career - even at the peak - with a few key rules:
Spend less than you earn
Avoid “bad” debt
Keep your spouse involved in decision making
Only make investments in things you understand
These simple behaviors keeps him in control, not the other way around.
Think About Life After the Whistle
(Even for Five Minutes)
When players talk about retirement, it’s usually hypothetical until it isn’t.
The average NFL career lasts about 3 years. MLS is longer, but not by much.
A few short conversations during the season can set the stage for what comes next. Whether that’s coaching, investing, entrepreneurship, philanthropy or a totally new chapter.
That’s why at Lighthouse Planning, we use the EVOKE® Life Planning method to help athletes start answering deeper questions like:
What kind of life am I actually building with all this effort?
What do I want money to make possible beyond the game?
What would “well spent” look like when I hang it up?
Clarity isn’t just good planning — it’s good mental health.
Keep It Simple
Here’s the truth: you don’t need to do everything during your season.
You just need to keep the right things moving, and have a trusted team protecting the rest.
Financial success for athletes isn’t built on complexity. It’s built on systems, protection, and alignment.
The goal isn’t to turn you into a financial expert — it’s to make sure you never have to be one.
Final Whistle
The season will end. The paychecks will slow. The spotlight will fade.
But what you’ve built — the systems, the discipline, the vision — can carry you decades beyond the game.
At Lighthouse Planning, we help athletes make sure the life they’re building off the field is as intentional and well-coached as the one they live on it.