PLAYER PROGR AMS

BY GLENDALYN JUNIO

In response to ongoing negotiations between the NFL Players Association and the league, the NFLPA has partnered with Financial Finesse, the nations leading provider of unbiased nancial education programs, to give players nancial guidance through the NFLPA Financial Learning Center.
Theres been a long standing need for this kind of nancial r f education for our members who have unique circumstances that r r make nancial planning particularly difcult, NFLPA Executive y Director DeMaurice Smith said. r With no guarantees in NFL contracts and the potential for a r 2011 lockout, we want to make sure our members are prepared r for injury or anything that cripples their career. Wed also like r r r them to transition from football to a lifetime of nancial security f and independencesomething that is possible only with smart nancial planning, Smith added. The NFLPA Financial Learning Center, which is available to all NFLPA members, employees and respective family members, y offers a free one-stop resource for nancial assistance. In order to r r ensure that the Web site resonates with the needs of its members, f the learning center was customized based on input provided by r several players. Free agents Casey Cramer and Ryan Nece, for y r instance, suggested incorporating articles that focus on allocating money to family and friends, managing money during the season y y y and offseason, and dealing with an unexpected release from the team. The Financial Learning Center is intended to be a resource created for and by the players, said Dana Hammonds, NFLPA Director of Financial Programs and Advisor Administration. Ryan and Casey were very instrumental in providing feedback, from the overall look and feel of the Web site to suggestions on informational articles and content that is relevant to NFL players.

Highlighted on the site are three options to begin nancial guidance:

Personalized educational plans based on specic nancial goals and challenges Navigation based on life events, such as marriage or a having a baby An option to browse by topic
Each option provides extensive educational information to handle a variety of nancial situations players may face.

The Financial Learning Center is a resource that can benet players regardless of where they are nancially. This is a great tool to access when encountering nancial situations that require further research or investigation.
Dana Hammonds
NFLPA Director of Financial Programs & Advisor Administration

PAGE 16 WINTER 2009