From Charity To The Maple Syrup Business - What Athletes Do In The Off-Season

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.

5 Things To Know About Super Bowl 52

Super Bowl Sunday is near. The day where calories don’t count, putting a dent in your couch is acceptable and talking sports is expected.

To our comrades in blissful Super Bowl chatter,

The Last Night’s Game Team

Did you miss us on Wake Up With The CW? Watch it here and see how you fare on our Super Bowl trivia. 

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Five Things To Know About Super Bowl 52

1. P!NK will be singing the national anthem and Justin Timberlake will perform in his third Super Bowl halftime show. Did you know that neither artist receives a paycheck for their performance? The NFL (National Football League) pays for the production and other expenses, which can run upwards of $10 million, but does not pay a performance fee.

2. It’s the tale of two quarterbacks. The New England Patriots’ Tom Brady is the oldest quarterback in the NFL and is looking to win his record sixth Super Bowl ring. In contrast, Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Nick Foles has won two playoff games.

3. Wagering money on the big game is a rite of passage for those over 21. In addition to your typical bets, the Super Bowl is known for it's great prop bets. Some things you can bet on include the color of P!NK’s hair, if a member of NSYNC will perform during the halftime show alongside Justin Timberlake or the color of the liquid thrown on the winning coach. What's a prop bet? Click here for our sports betting 101.

4. If you’re having déjà vu, these two teams played each other in the 2005 Super Bowl, where the Patriots won by three. The Eagles franchise has never won a Super Bowl.  

5. After Thanksgiving, Super Bowl Sunday is the second largest food consumption day in America. The most popular food?  Chicken wings. Over 1.33 billion chicken wings will be consumed during the big game.

But wait there’s more.

Today’s Wednesday wisdom is still Super Bowl themed but it’s definitely what everyone will be talking about today including why you can't get a Philadelphia roll at a sushi place in Boston, why it's a big deal that the Patriots are wearing white and why tattoos are never a good idea. READ