In a field where most players will retire before they turn 30, having a second act lined up is a necessity. For most retired pro athletes, it’s about prolonging their relevance, capitalizing on their fame, and keeping that cash stacked up for the rest of their lives.
So, what’s a professional sports personality to do? LeSean McCoy discuss what he believes are the top three second acts for former sports superstars.
Sports Commentary
Three-time Super Bowl winner and NFL Hall of Fame inductee Troy Aikman called time on his playing career in 2001. A broken leg, some close calls, and a serious enough head injury that he couldn’t remember the 1994 game that secured his team a place at the Super Bowl.
In a league where the average age of retirement is 27.6 years, Aikman was 34. He went on to join Fox as a commentator that year, before moving up to the network giant’s lead announcing crew the following year.
He’s been there ever since.
NBA Hall of Famer—and Michael Jordan’s Space Jam co-star—Charles Barkley is another stellar example. A retired pro athlete who managed to parlay his basketball prowess and charisma into a broadcasting career, he is best known on television for his Inside the NBA show, outspoken and honest commentary, and keen game analysis.
Coaching
Basketball fans of a certain age will remember Steve Kerr as a five-time NBA championship winning player—three times with the Chicago Bulls and twice with the San Antonio Spurs.
Younger generations will know him as the Golden State Warriors’ head coach—the guy that led them to victory in another four NBA championships.
Steve Kerr has coached the unstoppable Warriors franchise since 2014 but tried his hand at broadcasting following his 2003 retirement from the Spurs, too.
Lenny Wilkens is another pro athlete turned coach. He’s also been inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame three times: as a player, as a coach, and as a member of the 1992 Dream Team’s coaching team. He once held the record for most victories as a coach—a staggering 1,322 wins.
As a coach, Wilkens earned a championship ring when the SuperSonics took out the NBA championship in 1979. He coached his team to 178 playoff games.
Business & Philanthropy
Usain Bolt is arguably the greatest sprinter of all time—and the current world record holder for the 100m, 200m, and 4 x 100m relay. Following his post-Olympics retirement, Bolt focused on his entrepreneurial endeavors.
Bolt Mobility produces electric scooters, mobility devices, and the Bolt Nano minicar. And in his downtime? Usain “Lightning” Bolt produces dancehall music.
When making bank isn’t enough to keep a pro athlete in the entrepreneurial game, there’s always philanthropy.
Mo “The Hit Dog” Vaughn is a former MLB first baseman, three-time All-Star player, and 1995 American League MVP winner. Vaughn capitalized on his astronomical fame and beloved reputation when he retired from the sport at 35—a full 6-years above the average MLB retirement age.
He co-founded OMNI New York. OMNI works to renovate run-down and abandoned property and revive low socio-economic communities, with the end result of selling the properties back to the public at an affordable price.
Under Vaughn’s directorship, OMNI had rehabbed 1,200 units in The Bronx and Brooklyn by 2007. By 2020, that number had climbed to over 17,000 in the New York area.
