Being a professional athlete comes with the spotlight, the pressure, and, for some, the big paychecks. But here’s the truth: not every athlete is making millions, and even for those who do, the game doesn’t last forever. Whether you’re grinding on the regional fight circuit or playing backup on a pro team, the smart move is having something else cooking on the side.
This is where side hustles become very handy, as they offer flexible ventures that athletes can build around while training. They could do this to help create financial freedom beyond sports. This can be anything from building a brand, investing, or becoming a full-blown entrepreneur.
Here are some of the top side hustles for athletes.
YouTube & Content Creation
The majority of athletes have a compelling story to tell of how they ended up in the position that they’re in. Fans love getting behind-the-scenes access to these sorts of stories. The beauty of content creation is that you don’t need a million-dollar camera crew to get yourself started. Even with just a smartphone, athletes are creating social media channels where they post vlogs and other forms of content that engage sports fans.
A good example is UFC star Sean O’Malley. The former UFC champion started building a personal brand through Twitch streams and YouTube well before he won a title. He has made himself a media personality, as well as a fighter.
Personal Training or Online Coaching
Athletes have one of the most valuable and sought-after skill sets in the world, which is how to train, recover, diet, and perform to the highest level. This is something that can be monetized.
Many athletes have started to recognise this and launch their own side hustles as personal trainers; this can be done either in-person or online. Some even manage to take it that one step further and create their own fitness brands. This could be offering workout plans, nutrition guides, or private coaching.
Podcasting & Interviews
Podcasts have taken over the media world, with athletes from all sports making their own. You don’t need the perfect radio voice or fancy studio setup. The most important thing is getting a good angle. Many athletes use their connections to get other famous people in their industry onto their podcast. This can be anyone from a former coach, teammate, or even opponent.
The Kelce brothers, Travis and Jason, started a podcast together, which has since blown up and is now one of the biggest in the world. Their podcast, called “New Heights,” is the perfect example of athletes creating a successful side hustle. They have signed a very lucrative three-year deal with Amazon for the rights to post their podcast.
Investing & Real Estate
It might be flashy, but it’s effective. Athletes who make smart moves with their income can grow wealth by investing in real estate or stocks. UFC fighters like Stipe Miocic and Aljamain Sterling have talked openly about investing in rental properties.
This might be the most traditional side hustle in the active sense, but smart investing is definitely a viable option for athletes to generate income outside of sports. Many athletes choose this method because they are generating money while not necessarily having to do too much. Ultimately, it can be seen as allowing your money to work for you.
Merchandise & Personal Branding
If you’re an athlete who has fans, then you’ve got customers. This can be selling anything from custom gear, clothes, or general merchandise. This is one of the most common methods athletes use to turn their fame into fortune.
This can be done in different ways. For example, some athletes can sell their likeness to companies that will create variations of merchandise. This can be anything from coffee mugs to action figures. The other method is when athletes create the merch and sell it themselves. This method means you’re retaining more profit, but there is also a lot more work that goes into it. This type of side hustle is seen a great deal in the professional wrestling landscape – especially with wrestlers who primarily show out on the independent scene.
Streaming & Gaming
Believe it or not, but athletes and video games are a match made in heaven. With streaming platforms such as Twitch and Kick blowing up, athletes are turning their downtime into revenue by streaming and interacting with their fans.
Some athletes stream video games such as Call of Duty. For example, UFC fighter Max Holloway frequently streams Warzone to his fans.
Whereas some athletes do in real-life streams. This is where they have someone streaming their everyday life, and they chat to and interact with the viewers throughout the live stream.
In the modern world, your career may not always be enough to be financially secure. Especially in professional sports, athletes can have a very short shelf life. It is crucial that during your time in the spotlight, you’re doing everything you can to maximize your fame and attempt to set yourself up for when the time comes and you have to walk away from sports.
