The Trust, a program designed to aid former NFL players, powered by the NFL Players Association, has partnered with Babson College to create a “Basic Training – It’s My Business” program to assist former NFL players with deciding if owning, partnering or investing in a business is a sound career move.
The Trust is a set of resources, programs and services designed to provide former players with the support, skills and tools to help ensure success after football. The Trust emerged from the commitment of the National Football League Players Association (NFLPA) and its members to ensure that players are provided access to benefits and services that assist in their success beyond the game of football.
The three-day program is designed to assist former players with understanding the role of a business owner, operator or investor. The program helps participants to assess their interest in business, recognizing what they already know about running a business, understanding the complexities and challenges of business and discerning their business focus: startup, franchise, partnership, investor or foundation.
“Players have a strong belief in themselves,” says Babson Professor Fred Nanni, faculty director. “They know they’ve got to keep pushing. That’s a big part of being a successful entrepreneur.”
The first session took place June 29 to July 2, 2014 at the Babson Executive Conference Center. 50 former players expressed interest in the program, which only has 25 available openings. During the course of three days, “Basic Training” laid out what starting a business involves.