WASHINGTON—NFL rookies will gain an education on “The Business of Football: Rookie Edition” later this month at an event put on by the NFL Players Association.
The NFLPA event is set for June 28 and June 29 and will be held at IMG Academies in Bradenton, Florida. The two-day event will focus on financial education and preparing players for their professional careers. The seminar will give players essential educational information on topics ranging from life skills and personal finance to security and post-football careers.
“The NFLPA is always going to serve players,” said George Atallah, the NFLPA’s assistant executive director of external affairs. “The goal for ‘The Business of Football: Rookie Edition’ is to best prepare and equip rookie players to be professionals.”
The invited rookies have worked their whole lives for this opportunity—to play in the NFL—but along with that success comes an added measure of responsibility. Now, their names will be in the spotlight. One goal of the voluntary event is to give them the tools to ensure that their names appear in the headlines for all the right reasons.
“The NFLPA strives to provide players with substantive experiences that help them succeed both on and off of the field,” NFLPA senior director of player services and development Jason Belser said. “We are thrilled to work with IMG Academies to create an environment for these young men to embark on their transition to becoming professionals.”
As they get acclimated to life in the NFL, lessons learned at the 2011 “Business of Football: Rookie Edition” will stay with these young players throughout their entire careers. The NFLPA will explain important information like financial education and the role of the players association as the rookies begin their professional football careers during the owners’ lockout.
IMG director Trevor Moawad: “We share in the NFLPA’s mission to prepare athletes for the next stage in life by providing them the resources they need to succeed and realize their potential. At IMG Academies, we refer to this as the total athlete approach to development. We are looking forward to working with the NFLPA to host this important educational seminar for rookies, as we feel our world-class facilities and staff resources will create an exceptional learning environment for these young players.”
The NFL announced that it was canceling its rookie symposium scheduled for June 26 in Canton, Ohio because of the uncertainty of the labor issues and related logistical challenges.
The cost of attending the event, including travel and lodging, will be paid for by the NFLPA and will feature presentations by active and retired players as well as industry experts.
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