From Charity To The Maple Syrup Business - What Athletes Do In The Off-Season
While some may envision athletes spending their off-time lounging on tropical beaches, the reality is quite different.
Photo: Instagram/waterboysorg
The off-season is crucial for athletes to recover, rejuvenate and prepare for the next competitive season. While some may envision athletes spending their off-time lounging on tropical beaches, the reality is quite different.
WNBA and Overseas Leagues
Most WNBA (Women's National Basketball Association) players utilize the off-season to make money to supplement their regular season salaries. Sure, they also develop their skills and gain valuable experience by playing in other leagues overseas, but the wear and tear on their bodies make it a challenge. Look no further than Brittany Griner to see that other challenges are presented beyond physical deterioration.
European Soccer
European soccer leagues are known for their relentless schedule, with matches occurring throughout the year. While there might not be a traditional off-season, players often have short breaks between seasons or international competitions to recharge and spend time with their families.
Minor League Baseball
Minor League Baseball players hoping to make it to the big leagues (MLB - Major League Baseball) face unique challenges during the off-season due to their lower salaries. The recent, and first of its kind, collective bargaining agreement (CBA) has set the wages higher, but still challenging considering the players are in-season from February until typically September and training to make a big league team in between.
Minor League Salaries per the CBA:
• Complex league: from $4,800 per year up to $19,800
• Low-A: $11,000 to $26,200
• High-A: $11,000 to $27,300
• AA: $13,800 to $30,250
• AAA: $17,500 to $35,800
To make ends meet and continue pursuing their dreams, players engage in activities like coaching youth camps, providing private instruction, selling real estate, or even working in construction.
Athletes' Training Regimens
Many professional athletes remain dedicated to their training routines even during the off-season. LeBron James, for instance, invests a substantial amount, approximately $1.5M per year, to stay in peak physical condition. He employs cutting-edge technologies like cryotherapy and hyperbaric chambers and surrounds himself with a team of professionals, including a personal chef, masseuse and trainer.
Off-Field Contributions
Many athletes, like Chris Long, extend their impact beyond the field during the off-season. Chris Long, a philanthropist and two-time Super Bowl champion, founded the Waterboys organization to address the global water crisis. Through partnerships, like recruiting his teammates, and other initiatives, the organization has aided over 500,000 people in need.
Olympians' Diverse Pursuits
Olympic athletes face unique circumstances, as they often do not receive direct payment for their participation unless they win a medal. However, they have diverse off-season activities that contribute to their personal and professional growth. For instance, Hilary Knight, a celebrated women's hockey player, competes at the Olympic level and plays in the PWHPA (Professional Women's Hockey Players Association), working towards building a sustainable women's hockey league. Additionally, athletes like Ryan Cochran-Siegle, Nina Roth, Vicky Wright and Tabitha Peterson juggle their athletic pursuits with careers in fields like maple syrup farming, nursing and pharmacy.
Never A Dull Moment
The Super Bowl halftime performers announced, Tom Brady’s dad has dad jokes and the NBA is 90% vaccinated so why the controversy?
Giving you something else to talk about besides how it’s still too hot to drink pumpkin spice lattes.
Spice up your life,
The Last Night’s Game Team
NFL (National Football League)
This season's Super Bowl halftime show is a millennial's dream come true. Yesterday, the NFL announced that Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Mary J. Blige and Kendrick Lamar would headline the halftime show during Super Bowl LVI on February 13 at SoFi Stadium, home of the Los Angeles Rams and Chargers. MF'ERS DID NOT FORGET ABOUT DRE
Overtime
The Phoenix Mercury (WNBA - Women's National Basketball Association) are getting kicked out of their house ahead of Sunday's game three in their playoff series against the Las Vegas Aces. Last week the team was forced to seek another place to play because of a concert. The team has is forced out because the arena is hosting Disney On Ice instead. Surely, Minnie disapproves of sending six all-stars to play a professional league playoff game at a university basketball arena. HOW ABOUT A LITTLE RESPECT?
Sideline stat
You’ve read the headlines about the drama surrounding the NBA’s (National Basketball Association) goal to get the entire league vaccinated. Players like LeBron James got it, and others like Kyrie Irving don’t want it. Irving is in an interesting conundrum as players who play on teams based in San Francisco (Golden State Warriors), and New York (Nets and Knicks) must be vaccinated to play in their home arenas. Visiting teams are exempt. The NBA said they will not pay players for missed games if they “elect not to comply with local vaccination mandates.” The NBA said that more than 90% of its players had received the COVID vaccine. ARMED FOR BATTLE
*For reference, the WNBA is 99% vaccinated and the NFL is 93%.
Coaches’ corner
Tom Brady heads back to his old stomping grounds on Sunday when his defending Super Bowl Champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers (NFL) take on former head coach Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots. Brady has played down his return, especially after his dad's comments that he thought Tom felt "vindicated," leaving the Patriots and winning a Super Bowl with the Bucs. Brady's comedic response to his dad's comments included how his dad should know better at this point in his life, and Tom Jr. reserves the right to put him in a home against his will. DAD JOKES FOR DAY
What to watch
Things are getting exciting as we head into the last weekend of the MLB (Major League Baseball) regular season. There are four teams within one game of the American League Wild Card playoff spot - the New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, Seattle Mariners and Toronto Blue Jays. BATTER UP
Confidence Boost
Why Team Europe is wearing cheeseheads, the US Olympic Committee is taking a stand on vaccinations, WNBA playoffs are on, and everyone is watching.
No one exudes confidence like you after reading today's weekend preview.
Look out world,
The Last Night's Game Team
WNBA (Women's National Basketball Association)
The WNBA playoffs have begun with the Phoenix Mercury and Chicago Sky winning round one of the single-elimination games. The action on the court is must-see, and the viewership numbers prove it. The regular season viewership numbers are up 49% this season over last. The Las Vegas Aces and defending champion Seattle Storm are the favorites to win it all. WATCH THEM SOAR
Overtime
The Summer Olympics just wrapped up, but that doesn't mean we can't start talking about the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing. Team USA announced that they will only consider vaccinated athletes for the 2022 Games. LINE IN THE SAND
Sideline stat
Typically when the City of Chicago celebrates the Irish, they dye the river green but not this weekend. The Fighting Irish of Notre Dame will take on Wisconsin at Soldier Field in Chicago. It's the first time these two teams have played in 57 years, and tickets are sold out, with the average StubHub resale ticket price running at $400. ESPN College GameDay will also be broadcasting live from the stadium on Saturday morning. BE THERE OR BE SQUARE
Coaches' corner
The Ryder Cup (golf) is underway, and Team Europe is deep in enemy territory. Their players are trying to win over the fans in Wisconsin (home of the 2021 Ryder Cup) while defending their title. The fans are expected to be a game-changer for Team USA at this year's tournament. In an attempt to make new friends, the players from the European team showed up wearing cheesehead hats – the unofficial headgear of Green Bay Packers and Wisconsin fans. WORTH A SHOT
The Ryder Cup is a biennial competition between the US and Europe and could be one of the most contentious sporting events around. Check out our five things you need to know to learn a little more about why there's no prize money and who could come to blows over a golf game.