Athletes who make it to the professional leagues can often be blinded by the lights and swayed by their paychecks. This can cause issues when their careers do not work out.

Working your way up to professional athlete status is no simple feat—and it’s incredibly rewarding. Nothing speaks a thousand words like a six or seven-digit paycheck, even for just a few years.

In a single year, thriving pro athletes earn more than what an average office desk-dweller makes in a lifetime. Thus, players discovering their newfound wealth can burn through six or even seven-figure salaries quicker than they can score their next goal.

No matter which business you are starting, a significant amount of planning and financial decision-making and legal activities go into it.