Sports Representation Scenario 7
“A Final Throw of the Dice”
A Professional Footballer in the Autumn of His Career
Tom has been a professional footballer since he was 17 and has played at the very highest level. Now 31 years of age, and after enjoying all the luxuries and limelight that has gone with the celebrity footballer lifestyle, Tom is confronted with the realisation that the future does not look that bright and that his career as a professional footballer is nearing its possible end.
After many bad investments, an expensive divorce, and an image now as a journeyman footballer, for all his hard work as the model professional, one of Tom’s colleagues (also 31 who’s life looks very rosy) recommends he talk to ‘Chiron’ about how he can make the most of what he has earned in the past, and how to extend his future career. Tom has wasted vast amounts of money, but with the help of ‘Chiron’s’ support network and expertise in accountancy, law, finance and investment, any future mistakes are minimised or avoided and certain losses corrected and reclaimed.
However, Tom, through an element of naivety, accompanied by a fear of the unknown, is on the verge of accepting a substandard contract extension negotiated by his past agent with his current club that would see him through to the end of his career. On further investigation, ‘Chiron’ notice that even though he is no longer represented by his previous agent, acceptance of this contract would mean the previous agent being paid, yet have no further obligation to Tom or his career. In addition to this, the 5 year contract negotiated by the previous agent is only equivalent for Tom to a 3 year contract on current terms, but no change for the agent in question.
Disillusioned with his career and social life, after a failed marriage and expensive divorce, Tom is ready to turn his back on the UK and the English game. ‘Chiron’ however, is able to secure another opportunity for Tom in Australia’s ‘A’ League. This is not as an escape route for Tom or for a big contract, but for Tom’s happiness and mental wellbeing. A lot of soul searching has established that Tom has limited time as a key player at the upper level of English Football, but a move to the ‘A’ League would extend his career as a footballer and establish him as a higher profile player with a more lucrative contract.
Tom’s move to Australia goes without a hitch and with the assistance of the ‘Chiron’ support network he settles in socially and professionally in Australia. At the end of his playing days Tom is offered a coaching role with a major ‘A’ League club and subsequently recommends ‘Chiron’ to some of the best upcoming talent in Australian Football.