Money & Mindset for Tomorrow's Athletes
Financial literacy is part of athlete preparation — for everyone, not just athletes earning NIL money today.
Budgeting basics (50/30/20)
A simple rule: 50% needs, 30% wants, 20% savings. For a young athlete, "needs" might be gear, lessons, or transportation; "wants" are extras; "savings" build for the future.
Saving & goal-setting
Short-term goals (new cleats) vs long-term (college fund). Parents can open a custodial account (UTMA/UGMA) so kids learn with real money under adult oversight.
Taxes 101 for young earners
- NIL or sponsorship income may be taxable.
- Parents/guardians should consult a licensed CPA or tax professional.
- Keep records of income and related expenses.
- This is general education, NOT tax advice.
Before signing anything
- Never sign a contract without a parent/guardian reviewing it.
- Consider having a lawyer review any NIL agreement.
- Understand exclusivity, duration, usage rights, and payment terms.
- It's okay to say "let me have my parent look at this first."
Entrepreneurship mindset
Skills like content creation, community building, and storytelling translate far beyond sports. Treat your platform as practice for any future career.
50/30/20 calculator
Educational only. Drag the slider to see a sample split.
$500/ month
Needs
$250Wants
$150Savings
$100This page provides general financial education only and is not tax, legal, or investment advice.