Strategies for Business Success

NFL BizWeek is a three-day event design to help professional NFL athletes grow in business. Focusing on key insights into Real Estate, Entrepreneurship, and Venture Capital/Private Equity. Led by university faculty, successful high profile business leaders and industry professionals, participants will explore key areas of developing and sustaining a successful business. Opportunities are included for professional networking, developing potential mentorship relationships, and strategic partnerships.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Understanding Career Transition Beyond Sports:

   • Participants will gain a deep understanding of how to leverage the NFL infrastructure and resources to enhance their professional growth beyond the game.

   • Athletes will be able to develop key relationships within the league office and identify potential opportunities for long-term career success outside of football.

2. Mastering Networking Strategies:

   • Athletes will develop effective networking skills, learning how to build and maintain meaningful relationships both online and in-person.

   • Participants will acquire practical tools and strategies to use LinkedIn effectively, manage follow-up techniques, and optimize personal branding.

   • Athletes will be equipped with systems for organizing and sustaining professional connections to create future opportunities.

3. Financial Planning and Security:

   • Athletes will understand the critical fundamentals of managing personal income and expenses, with a focus on creating sustainable financial strategies for life beyond the NFL.

   • Participants will develop a comprehensive framework for transitioning from NFL earnings to long-term financial security, ensuring financial stability for their future.

4. Aligning Personal Finance with Business Ventures:

   • Athletes will learn how personal financial habits affect their business ventures, from credit and debt management to financial structuring.

   • Participants will gain practical insights into avoiding common financial pitfalls that can hinder business growth and how to align personal finances with business goals.

5. Real Estate Investment Exposure:

   • Athletes will gain first-hand exposure to the world of real estate investment through a site visit, helping them better understand large-scale investment opportunities and potential ventures.

6. Entrepreneurial Skills Development (Hustle Pitch Competition):

   • Participants will experience the fast-paced nature of entrepreneurship by building and pitching a business in a high-pressure, time-sensitive environment.

   • Athletes will learn how to craft and present compelling pitch decks to investors, gaining skills in decision-making, leadership, problem-solving, and teamwork.

   • Through real-time feedback from judges, participants will refine their business strategies, pitching techniques, and entrepreneurial mindset.

7. Networking and Relationship-Building in Business:

   • Athletes will engage in high-level networking during the Private Party/Supercharged Networking Event, honing skills to convert initial conversations into real business opportunities.

   • They will reinforce the importance of relationship-building and the ability to leverage their networks for potential investment or mentorship opportunities.

8. Venture Capital Insights:

   • Athletes will gain an understanding of venture capital, including pathways to becoming an investor, advisor, or entrepreneur in the venture capital ecosystem.

   • Participants will learn from real-world examples of athletes who have successfully ventured into VC, equipping them with insights into early-stage investing and the venture capital landscape.

9. Private Equity Expertise:

   • Athletes will understand how private equity works and how they can leverage their capital, networks, and expertise to engage in private equity deals as investors, operators, or strategic partners.

   • Participants will learn to evaluate investment opportunities and mitigate risks in private equity partnerships, understanding the critical factors in structuring successful deals.

These outcomes are designed to equip NFL athletes with the necessary skills, knowledge, and mindset to transition successfully into the world of business and entrepreneurship, empowering them to build sustainable careers beyond their time in the NFL.

This workshop is brought to you through our partnership with Athlete + Us and the National Football League (NFL).