After the gathering comes the scattering? — Scenarios of financial transition and corresponding coping strategies of professional football players

Abstract

Although the transition phase from elite sport to retirement has been the subject of numerous studies, there is currently no research addressing financial security, particularly in high-income sports such as football. However, financial security is a significant influencing factor for the quality of this transition. This study analyses how professional football players perceive the loss of sport-related income after the end of their athletic careers, and the behaviour that they develop to successfully cope with the financial transition. 25 German professional football players (15 of whom had already retired) were interviewed. The data generated were analysed using qualitative content analysis. The results show that the significant loss of income poses a serious problem and may raise existential concerns among some players. Following retirement, the ability to adapt (reduce) expenditure behaviour and generate new income is crucial for a positive transition into retirement. Various scenarios of financial transition emerge when the perspectives of these coping behaviours are combined.