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Bankruptcy Rates among NFL Players with Short-Lived Income Spikes

Author

Listed:
  • Kyle Carlson
  • Joshua Kim
  • Annamaria Lusardi
  • Colin F. Camerer

Abstract

We test for consumption smoothing using bankruptcy data on players in the National Football League (NFL), who typically earn several million dollars during an income spike that lasts a few years. The life-cycle hypothesis predicts that players should save substantially while playing and then have little risk of bankruptcy post-NFL. However, players in our sample begin to file for bankruptcy soon after they stop playing and continue filing at a high rate through at least the first 12 years of retirement. Players' total earnings and career lengths have surprisingly little effect on the risk of bankruptcy.

Suggested Citation

  • Kyle Carlson & Joshua Kim & Annamaria Lusardi & Colin F. Camerer, 2015. "Bankruptcy Rates among NFL Players with Short-Lived Income Spikes," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 105(5), pages 381-384, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:aea:aecrev:v:105:y:2015:i:5:p:381-84
    Note: DOI: 10.1257/aer.p20151038
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Igor Livshits & James MacGee & Michèle Tertilt, 2007. "Consumer Bankruptcy: A Fresh Start," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 97(1), pages 402-418, March.
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    Cited by:

    1. Hee Jung Hong & Ian Fraser, 2021. "‘My Sport Won’t Pay the Bills Forever’: High-Performance Athletes’ Need for Financial Literacy and Self-Management," JRFM, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-16, July.
    2. Jaco Moolman & Christina Cornelia Shuttleworth, 2025. "Qualitatively Pre-Testing a Tailored Financial Literacy Measurement Instrument for Professional Athletes," JRFM, MDPI, vol. 18(6), pages 1-26, June.
    3. Brent, Daniel A. & Ward, Michael B., 2018. "Energy efficiency and financial literacy," Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, Elsevier, vol. 90(C), pages 181-216.
    4. Newall, Philip W.S. & Peacey, Mike W., 2021. "Pension behavior and policy," Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Finance, Elsevier, vol. 29(C).
    5. Kent Daniel & Lorenzo Garlappi & Kairong Xiao, 2021. "Monetary Policy and Reaching for Income," Journal of Finance, American Finance Association, vol. 76(3), pages 1145-1193, June.
    6. Li, Li & Mak, Eric & Pivovarova, Margarita, 2016. "Conspicuous Consumption and Within-Group Income Inequality," MPRA Paper 83338, University Library of Munich, Germany.

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • D14 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - Household Saving; Personal Finance
    • J44 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Particular Labor Markets - - - Professional Labor Markets and Occupations
    • L83 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Services - - - Sports; Gambling; Restaurants; Recreation; Tourism
    • Z22 - Other Special Topics - - Sports Economics - - - Labor Issues

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