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.
Monday Minute - The World Series Jell-O Shot Challenge, Shaq's Good Deed And Small Crowds Make Headlines
Monday - here goes nothing.
Photo: Instagram/ncaabaseball
Monday - here goes nothing.
Men’s College World Series
Let's start off with the Men's College World Series. LSU is dominating on the field in this double-elimination tournament, but where their fans are really dominating Rocco's Bar in the Jell-O Shot Challenge. The Shot Challenge takes place at a bar near the stadium, and those LSU fans are showing up with over 11,000 shots. compared to the next closest team with 4,700 shots. Kudos to you, LSU fans.
Good news
Shaq is known for his random acts of kindness, and look no further than him buying a washer and dryer for a family.
Golf
At the US Open, Wyndham Clark won his first career major, but the big headline at the US Open this year is the small crowds. The TV viewers were disappointed in the lack of excitement out of the 22,000 fans in attendance. 22,000 is less than half of the attendees at a US Open because the LA Country Club was a bit smaller grounds, and they had some challenges with people and logistics.
Last but not least
The NBA (National Basketball Association) draft is coming up this week, and that's one thing to keep an eye out for if you are a basketball fan. or if you hang out with basketball fans; it is on Thursday. Wemby is the guy to watch. He's the seven-foot-five friendship prospect, and he will likely be going to the San Antonio Spurs, who have the number one draft pick. Have a great week ahead.
For today’s Monday Minute podcast episode or our podcast exclusive Weekend Preview, make sure to subscribe to the podcast or our YouTube channel.
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UP your game
David Beckham isn’t the only athlete to own a sports team. HE’S IN GOOD COMPANY
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GAME CHANGER
Did you know that you can catch our podcast on YouTube now? THE MORE YOU KNOW
Weekend Preview: Boys Of Summer In Omaha, Vegas The Center Of The Sports Universe + Playboy Mansion Meets Golf
Exactly what you need to know to whip up a stellar conversation this weekend.
Here's what you need to know heading into Father's Day weekend.
Men’s College World Series
The boys of summer are back at the Men’s College World Series, with eight teams heading to the College World Series starting on Friday. We have TCU, Oral Roberts University or ORU, Florida, Virginia, Wake Forest, Stanford, Louisiana State or LSU, and Tennessee. The No. 1 ranked Wake Forest is known as “Rake Forest” for their ability to hit home runs. They haven't attended the College World Series since winning it in 1955. This double-elimination tournament will bring $100M in economic impact to Omaha. The LSU fans are doing their best to help that number. They are known for drinking stadiums out of beer before the games have even started.
Sports Take Over Las Vegas
Let's head to the city that never sleeps, Las Vegas. The Vegas Golden Knights (NHL – National Hockey League) will celebrate their Stanley Cup win with a parade down the strip on Saturday night. If you're headed to Vegas, heads up, it will be a party on Saturday night.
The Oakland A's, well, they are one step closer to making their move to Las Vegas. The Nevada Senate approved a $380M public funding bill. It will head to Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo and then to the 29 owners of Major League Baseball teams to be approved for that Oakland A's move.
US Open (Golf)
The US Open is happening right now. The golf tournament is taking place at the Los Angeles Country Club, one of the most exclusive country clubs in the nation. And record scores are happening. Rickie Fowler set the record for the lowest score ever on the course. Then Xander Schauffele set the record shortly after. Remember, in golf, a low score is good; a high score is terrible.
If you want to know how the US Open ties into the Playboy Mansion, check out our Instagram Reels or TikTok video.
Lastly, if you want something to talk about with your dad, head on over and listen to our Father’s Day podcast, “Athlete Dads Who Are Dad Goals,” which can be found on any of your favorite platforms or at lastnightsgame.com.
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Tailgate treat
In honor of the French Open, this week's Tailgate Treat is a simple chocolate mousse. CHEERS
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GAME CHANGER
Want more on the Stanley Cup Finals? Make sure to check our Wednesday podcast, where we fill you in on what you need to know to join the conversation, like rats, coffee, mascots - you know, the important stuff. THE MORE YOU KNOW