PC – RevSportz.“For a sportsperson, support is a lot more important during the formative period of his/her career. Once, an athelete has reached the top, financial aspect would take care of itself,” said Anant Arora, whose company OneByTwo Entertainment manages Rishabh Pant.
Pant is the top rung. But what about those who aspire to reach the top level? Arora’s foundation helps them as well, but Sameer Pathak, CEO, Global Chess League, nailed it when he spoke about reciprocation.
“I think too much emphasis is being put on the corporate sector. When money is invested in something, the corporates would think about the return also,” he cited the example of the IPL. “It goes to 415 million people. That’s why the corporate sector falls for it,” he said, adding that over the last five-six years, other sports are getting benefited from the “IPL effect” as well. “Kabaddi has taken the IPL route. Chess has taken the IPL route.”
Srikanth Subramanian, co-founder and CEO, Ionic Wealth, moved into a very important issue. He spoke about how important it is to manage wealth to sustain even after an athlete’s sporting career is over. “A sportsperson’s career is unique — its peak is intense but short-lived. Unlike traditional professions, retirement isn’t a choice but an inevitability that comes much earlier. While athletes earn significantly during their 10 to 15 year playing career, securing financial stability beyond those years is crucial,” said Subramanian. He added: “With life expectancy reaching 80 to 85 years, the challenge isn’t just about earning wealth, but making it last for 30, 40, 50, or even 60 years after retirement. Planning and investing wisely during one’s prime ensures a future where financial security, health, and happiness remain uncompromised long after the sporting career ends.”
The title of the session – Managing Wealth: Athletes, Leagues & The Sports Ecosystem – moderated by Aktivo Labs founder Gourab Mukherjee, lived up to its billing, with the panelists offering excellent insights.
Mahesh Bhupathi, the former World No. 1 doubles player and multiple Grand Slam title winner, said: “Wealth is subjective. But comparing cricket with anything in this country would be an exercise in futility. But things have been changing.”
He cited Neeraj Chopra’s example and spoke about how the rise in his brand value could be a case study.
Sameer Pathak, CEO, Global Chess League, Yashpal Erda, restaurateur and owner of Masala Theory, Sydney and Prof. Vijay Pereira, director, Kedge Business School, Vijaybhoomi University, were the other members in the panel.