Athlete C.E.O. Playbook

5 Athlete C.E.O Predictions For 2025

We are seeing more and more Athletes become Enterprises and treating themselves as businesses. The athlete space is ever changing but it’s great to witness more athletes leverage their platforms and opportunities for more than just on field longevity. As we know, an athlete's career will only last so long so what can athletes do to build a life time plan.

As 2025 takes shape here are our 5 Athlete CEO predictions we think will happen

Less Is More: Focus on Efficiency and Impact

Athletes will adopt a “less is more” approach, prioritizing fewer but more impactful initiatives. Athlete access will be less. They will focus on high-ROI activities and partnerships, cutting through noise to deliver meaningful engagement, content, etc. You will see athletes do less brand deals and only collaborate with opportunities that fit their ethos. This will also mean less public appearances and content just to make content.

Maybe not the NIL athletes because they’re trying to get to the bag while their window is open. For professional athletes however I see the less is more approach holding true.

Side Note: Sports Biz thought leader Jordan Rodgers made a great claim around athletes being more private with the increase in cancel culture and social media giving free reign for people to act out towards athletes, you might see more athletes get off social all together. Privacy might take precedent in this new age

Community-Driven Intimate Events

The shift toward creating deeper connections will lead to more intimate and exclusive events. These might include roundtables, private networking sessions, or small-group workshops tailored to niche audiences. From live podcasts to retreats to networking events, I see athletes embracing building more authentic connections with their true audience.

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Athlete-Branded Products

Athletes will venture into creating their own products, from apparel and supplements to digital tools and physical goods that resonate with their personal brands. We’ve been on this train for a while and love that athletes are starting to follow the performance to product to profit flywheel. Every athlete needs to explore this lane no matter the scale.

More Creative Control Over Content

Athletes will take ownership of their narratives by producing content with full creative control. From short-form videos to feature-length documentaries, athletes will steer storytelling that highlights their journeys, values, and business ventures. This means more Newsletters and Youtube channels where there’s no handcuffs on approvals and strategies. Athletes will do what the want at their own pace. Even creating more paywalls around their content

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AI

This is a lazy prediction but one that is true. In what way AI plays a role for athletes remains to be seen, but I know it will have a role to play. What are some ways you think AI helps or hurts the Athlete CEO space?

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We help athletes and brands monetize their vision. Through strategy, strategic partnerships, content, and athlete empowerment, we’ll help you bring your ideas and vision to life ⬇️

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