Marchants’ Post

🐎 Retirement Lessons from Kentucky Derby Winners 🏇 We often marvel at the grace and power of thoroughbred racehorses as they thunder down the track, but what happens when their racing days are over? A recent article shed light on the retirement days of former Kentucky Derby winners, offering insights that resonate beyond the world of horse racing. Silver Charm, the 1997 Kentucky Derby champion, now spends his days in leisure at Old Friends, a retirement farm in Kentucky. At 30 years old, he's the oldest living Derby winner, enjoying the company of fellow retirees and the care of dedicated staff. Reading about Silver Charm's routine - from leisurely strolls in the pasture to enjoying his favorite treats - reminded me of the importance of planning for retirement. Just like these majestic horses, we all deserve a comfortable and fulfilling retirement tailored to our individual needs and preferences. But unlike Silver Charm, we're not all Kentucky Derby winners. Our retirement paths are as unique as we are, requiring personalized financial plans to lead us to our own green pastures. Just as Silver Charm found his forever home at Old Friends, we too can find financial stability and peace of mind with the right guidance. So, let's take a page from Silver Charm's book and ensure our retirement years are filled with comfort, joy, and the freedom to enjoy life to the fullest. After all, every one of us deserves a retirement worthy of a champion. #Finppass #RetirementPlanning #FinancialFreedom #KentuckyDerbyWinners #PersonalFinance 🏆🌟

I LOVE TO SEE IT 👏👏👏 Joe Burrow & Justin Jefferson walking in the Paris Vogue Fashion Show, & Travis Kelce making an appearance on the record-breaking Eras Tour! Love to see these guys on their off-season investing in professional development! All three honing new abilities, and leveling up during their downtime! Could this help them perform better next season? OR are we seeing glimpses into their long-off retirement plans? Love to see it boys! Great job, National Football League (NFL)! If these three can spend the off-season, dabbling in new interests - what are you doing this summer? How are you growing your skillset? Or honing your skills?

The Purdue Boilermakers men's team is playing in their home state in the 1st & 2nd rounds of the Men's NCAA Tournament, driving the highest demand for tickets at this stage of March Madness. Here is the full men's ranking for the opening weekend of the tourney - sorted by average ticket price: 1- Gainbridge Fieldhouse (Indianapolis): $320.10 2- Delta Center (Salt Lake City): $306.33 3- CHI Health Center (Omaha) - Omaha, NEATP: $302.19 4- Spectrum Center (Charlotte): $298.70 5- Spokane Arena (Spokane): $282.62 6- Barclays Center (Brooklyn): $280.43 7- PPG Paints Arena (Pittsburgh): $269.27 8- FedExForum (Memphis): $216.42 The figures above are across multiple marketplaces, not including fees. #marchmadness #sportsbusiness #sportsindustry #purdueuniversity #indiana

🌟 Monumental Milestone in NIL Deals! 🌟 Top 2025 Florida wide receivers Jaime Ffrench and Vernell Brown just inked groundbreaking NIL deals with American Eagle! 🦅 Here's why this is monumental and what these deals include: Who They Are: - Jaime Ffrench (yes, Ffrench): A five-star prospect from Jacksonville, FL, Ffrench is ranked as one of the top wide receivers in the 2025 class. Known for his elite talent, he's committed to the 2025 All-American Bowl, showcasing his skills on a national stage. - Vernell Brown: A talented receiver making waves in high school football, recognized for his exceptional athletic ability and potential. Why It's Monumental: 1. Breaking New Ground: High-profile brands like American Eagle entering the NIL space underscores the shifting landscape of collegiate sports. It's a significant step in normalizing and legitimizing NIL deals for young athletes. 2. Setting a Precedent: This partnership highlights high school athletes' increasing value and marketability, setting a new standard for future deals. 3. Empowering Athletes: These deals provide athletes with financial benefits and professional experience, preparing them for potential careers in and out of sports. What's Included: - Brand Representation: Jaime and Vernell will represent American Eagle and appear in campaigns and promotions. Financial Compensation: Significant financial incentives provide the athletes with a stable income while still in high school. - Exposure and Opportunities: Enhanced visibility, connecting them with a wider audience and potential future endorsements. This collaboration is not just a win for Jaime and Vernell but a beacon of opportunity for all aspiring young athletes. 🚀 #NIL #CollegeAthletes #AmericanEagle #JaimeFfrench #VernellBrown #SportsMarketing #FutureOfSports #SportsLaw

🌟It's always a pleasure to see our business associates succeed! 👉🏼Renovia is a great example of a company that takes care of their employees, clients, and projects. 😍Celebrating their success is a true joy for me. It's always a good feeling when our beliefs align with the companies we work with. #Success #Collaboration #BusinessGrowth

Anyone planning an open source project this year? how are you going to secure the open source components in your software? tell us your story!

🚨 Breaking: College NIL History 🚨 🛩️ According to Joe Pompliano, Ole Miss Quarterback Jaxson Dart officially signed the first-of-its-kind NIL private jet deal in NCAA history. In this agreement, Dart will endorse private jet company #NicholasAir out of Oxford, Mississippi, in exchange for an undisclosed number of flight hours. 🏈 Bleacher Report writes, "Nicholas Air says they chose Dart not only because of his talent on the field—he’s a preseason Heisman favorite—but also because of his passion for community service." 🏈 Dart threw for 3,364 yards and 23 touchdowns against five interceptions last season while leading Ole Miss to a 11-2 record in 2023. He's considered one of the best quarterbacks in the 2025 NFL draft class and could put himself in first-round consideration if he's able to build on his big junior season. 💰 Forbes suggests that "Private airfare was a natural expansion in the NIL space, and it's a little bit of a surprise it took this long. While college teams are already chartered flights to games, giving stars a taste of luxury in exchange for a little promotion was bound to happen at some point." 🤔 Some thoughts to consider... 🗣️ Joe makes some great points regarding taxes - something everybody sees upfront & loves thinking about, right?! So wrong! NIL is still in its very early innings & just because this deal is revolutionary in nature does not guarantee long term success or sustainability. So what does a deal like this even mean from a tax perspective then? College kids might be shocked when Uncle Sam comes to collect at the end of the year! 🤷♂️ We don't really know all the specific details of the deal just yet but in this partnership as it's currently structured, our data suggests that 15-20 private jet hours is valued at ~$200,000. 💰 Having to pay taxes on that (after getting it for free) is a wake-up call - especially if young athletes don't have the right people or resources around them to make sound financial decisions. Only time will determine how these types of NIL deals are structured moving forward or where they'll evolve from here but it is imperative to provide young athletes with the critical infrastructure necessary for their financial health. 👉 Follow us for more culturally relevant insights! #NIL #collegefootball #collegesports #privatejets #NCAA #NFL

Check out this article from USA TODAY: Contrary to what you may have read, the demise of Red Lobster was not about all-you-can-eat shrimp. Instead, it's a story of an iconic American business that found itself in financial distress and sold out to another iconic American industry that loves nothing more than financial distress: Private equity. From there, private equity did what private equity does. It sold off the company’s land to a real estate conglomerate to make back the cash it used to buy Red Lobster in the first place, then saddled the restaurants sitting on that land with expensive rent deals they didn't have before. That left stores with little financial room for error, and when economic headwinds finally hit, it sent Red Lobster into a tailspin leading to bankruptcy.  College sports should learn from Red Lobster's mistakes and avoid the private equity bros.

From the Field to Finance: Geo Botha CFP and I discuss how Athletes win after their careers. I've come across a lot of sportsmen who either win or lose after sport. The winners have a few things in common. 1- They wisely utilized their income to build assets, ensuring a steady stream of income post-retirement. 2- They managed their financial and social lifestyles well during retirement. 3- They recognized the need to establish themselves as a brand My advice to sportsmen would be the following: - Understand that your career is short. Most people save 40 years for 20 years of income. You need to save 15 years for 45 years of income (if you retire at 35). - Enjoy your career, it may be your decision or someone else who makes the decision for you. - The plane and bus rides with your mates will come to an end and these are the things you will miss the most. - Carry your hard-working spirit with you after sport. - Sport makes you resilient, that's very valuable in life. - Get the help of a professional to help you with your personal brand. It's a major asset you can build and it came to you freely. - Study something. It shows employers that you are more than just a jock. Look to exemplary figures such as Schalk Brits, Faf du Plessis, Vanes-Mari du Toit, Bryan Habana, and Chris Morris. They are not only admired for their sporting achievements but also for the individuals they are, making them highly sought after in various spheres. #southafricancricketers #saru #wealthmanagement #careeraftersport

March Madness Leads to Year-End Triumph… The last few days of March are a whirlwind, with intense pressure to close deals and hit ambitious quarterly targets. Strategies are meticulously planned and negotiations with clients are ongoing. But when the final numbers are tallied, the elation of exceeding expectations will make all the sacrifices worthwhile. Congratulatory messages and praise pour in from senior leadership, commending the team's grit and performance. As the financial year comes to a close, there is a palpable sense of pride and accomplishment. Celebrations are in order, but also a refocusing of energy and determination. With this success as a catalyst, everyone feels invigorated and eager to take on even bigger challenges in the new fiscal year ahead. The future seems bright and full of possibilities to continue excelling at their roles.