The analogy between sports and entrepreneurship helped many sportspersons become successful entrepreneurs, but it does not necessarily mean that all sport entrepreneurs are sportsmen. Many athletes have the trait of entrepreneurship that they might realize someday when they spot some business opportunity within their discipline or beyond. Both sportsmen and entrepreneurs are self-driven and ambitious about succeeding. Both are hardworking individuals who do not believe in shortcuts and dare to brace uncertainty and face challenges. They can work relentlessly to pursue their goals and not stop until they achieve them. They begin a new journey after reaching the milestone as they keep raising the bar to pursue excellence. They never rest upon the laurels but keep moving upward towards the summit.
The will to Succeed Drives Sports Entrepreneurs Toward Success
Entrepreneurial success for sportsmen results from their ability to use their entrepreneurial traits in the right way by spotting their passions for business opportunities. Athletes train hard for success with undivided attention to achieve their goals, and they must do the same when they turn into entrepreneurs. Moreover, they are mentally powerful because they compete with the most formidable opponents. Their indomitable spirit makes them fearless, and they are ready to meet the challenges with a smile, knowing well that the chances of failure can be high. No one knows it better than athletes how each failure turns them stronger, and this attitude works in their favor when they start their entrepreneurial journey. Hardworking sportsmen with the will to succeed are more likely to succeed in their entrepreneurial ventures.
Entrepreneurship and Female Athletes
Although female athlete entrepreneurs were unheard of in the 20th century, they are now hogging the limelight within the first two decades of the 21st century. Female athletes have put behind them the social constraints that chained them and are now turning entrepreneurs after retiring from sports. However, the preparation begins much early when they are in the fading years of their sports career, and it helps them smoothly slip into the new role after retiring from professional sports. More female athletes are venturing into the business world while setting great examples of sports entrepreneurship. Interestingly, some have even become professional authors.
Some famous female sports personalities are doing good business as athlete entrepreneurs.
Maria Sharapova
The Russian tennis pro teamed up with sports goods companies like Porsche and Nike and built a huge marketing empire for their goods. Sugarpova is the brand of the candy business she launched in 2013, and she even acquired the distribution rights by striking deals with the world’s biggest convenience store and grocery chain.
Alex Morgan
The co-captain of the women’s national soccer team of the United States from 2018 to 202 is an accomplished author of children’s books. The animated video of her book series ‘The Kicks’ focuses on empowering young girls by focusing on themes like perseverance and leadership. She launched a media company called TogethXR to address the issue of poor media coverage for female athletes compared to their male counterparts.
Footballers have a History of Entrepreneurship.
After scorching the turf worldwide, many famous footballers are successful entrepreneurs today. The list is quite long, from Cristiano Ronaldo to David Beckham to Philip Lam as new footballers join the fray.
Cristiano Ronaldo
From scoring goals at will on the football field and demonstrating his extraordinary football skills, Cristiano Ronaldo enjoys his share of luck in business too. He is making good money from business and living the life of his dreams with his wife and three children. ‘CR7 Footwear’ is his shoe brand, along with two clothing stores while making millions of dollars from endorsements. He has plans to launch a chain of boutique hotels.
David Beckham
David Beckham, the blue-eyed boy of English football and the superstar in his heydays, is now a co-owner of the MLS team Inter Miami. Studio 99 is Beckham’s recently launched Media Company, and he is the owner of Salford City FC, a football club in England. The famous men’s grooming product House 99 is also under Beckham’s belt.
Sports entrepreneurs have inspired many other athletes, as evident from the increasing number of athletes turning entrepreneurs.
