A project to help retired players

[tibbidoe]

I have been trying for more than a year now to get a project of mine off the ground.

Without going too much into the specifics of it, I will say that it will help put money into the pockets of retired players to help offset medical costs and whatnot.

Retired players, especially the oldest of them, didn't play in this multi-million dollar period and didn't have the opportunities today's players have. A lot of them, many of them lesser-known, gave themselves to the sports they loved and then were written off, with little income to support themselves and their families as they got older. The leagues make tons of money off of these people and they don't do enough to help them after their playing days have ended.

I started watching sports when I was 8-9 years old and have been playing/watching ever since. I would love to be able to give something back to the players that helped make the sports we all love what they are today.

TO THE POINT:

I had been in touch with Karl Swanson, Redskins VP, about this, but after a few emails back and forth, he blew me off after I told him the very basic information about the project. I never got the chance to explain the details of it.

It is sound, it is unique and it is clear to me that I’ll have to get it off the ground myself.

The main problem is that all I have right now is the idea. I had a software guy that was going to build it with Visual Basic, but he backed out. It will require a complex, but doable, program to get it working, and he didn’t want to invest his time in writing it. But, the program itself would be adjustable to fit all of the major sports and also college sports.

The other problem is marketing. Even after the program is put together, getting it out to people will be difficult. I’m just a poor schmuck with no financial means to launch something like this on my own. I know it will sound silly, but I’ve emailed the Redskins, Oprah Winfrey, Bill Gates, many former players, etc. to try and get someone to listen. The way I hope to split it would be:

50% to retired players
30% to me
20% to whomever I can find to help make it happen

Then, after a couple of years, I will give my part up. I’m not trying to get rich, only to get out of the rut I currently reside in and also help many people who, I feel, deserve it.

Aside from just doing good for people, this would be good PR stuff for a company to have without having to spend a ton of money to get it. I've also come up with a number of things that could be done afterwards to further assist the retired players.

Any ideas or advice that could be given about how to get this done would be greatly appreciated.

[Leonard Washington]

interesting idea but i would guess that the 30% to you would be a problem...especially if its millions of dollars.

[DallasSucks19922010]

How about trying to get current players to help?

[RedBeast]

Noboby is going to pay you to get out of a "pile." You need to re-market this and focus on the issue. Then you set it up as a non profit org so that you can cover your expenses (ie salary, business expenses, overhead, etc...) with a minimal amount going to the players such as "80 cents out of every dollar goes to helping a debilitated NFL player" .

Call Sarah McLaughlin to let you use the "Angel" song...Better yet, get David Crosby to let you use the "Old Soldier" song for your commercials using old NFL footage (old shot of player on field fade to current shot in wheelchair/cane/bad knees...

http://www.musicsonglyrics.com/D/davidcrosbylyrics/davidcrosbyoldsoldierlyrics.htm

How much have you really looked into this? Shouldn't be too hard if you are PASSIONATE ABOUT YOUR PLAN...help get out of your mess? That is your job, or your parents. I bet Karl Swansen unofficially told you to get some Charmin.

Good idea, re-think your approach. Get the NFL to buy in. They should mandate that for every new FA contract, and every new player contract (draft), that 1% (or X%) goes to the "NFL Retired Player Fund" and the "NFL Cares" foundation (set up by you to help them. Trademark your brand.

Too late, I just did it... ;>)

[McD5]

30% is wayyyy too high. Good luck on that bro. And then an additional 20% to your partner? Are you high?

A non-profit, where you then take a generous salary is a much smarter way to go about it.

Non-profit=people put their guard down.

30% sounds like larceny. No offense.

[velocet]

Gridiron Greats (http://www.gridirongreats.org/)



LW, DS19922010, RB and MCD5 exhibit exemplary kindness and forebearance, and deserve props.





....

[tibbidoe]

interesting idea but i would guess that the 30% to you would be a problem...especially if its millions of dollars.

My line of thinking was that 30% would work since it would be short-term and complete ownership would be given away after that time. I guess I'll have to reconsider the numbers... I'm not trying to be greedy, I want to help people while at the same time taking care of my son and his future...


How about trying to get current players to help?

I've tried contacting serveral current players along with the retired guys and the non-sports type people...


Noboby is going to pay you to get out of a "pile." You need to re-market this and focus on the issue. Then you set it up as a non profit org so that you can cover your expenses (ie salary, business expenses, overhead, etc...) with a minimal amount going to the players such as "80 cents out of every dollar goes to helping a debilitated NFL player" .

Call Sarah McLaughlin to let you use the "Angel" song...Better yet, get David Crosby to let you use the "Old Soldier" song for your commercials using old NFL footage (old shot of player on field fade to current shot in wheelchair/cane/bad knees...

http://www.musicsonglyrics.com/D/davidcrosbylyrics/davidcrosbyoldsoldierlyrics.htm

How much have you really looked into this? Shouldn't be too hard if you are PASSIONATE ABOUT YOUR PLAN...help get out of your mess? That is your job, or your parents. I bet Karl Swansen unofficially told you to get some Charmin.

Good idea, re-think your approach. Get the NFL to buy in. They should mandate that for every new FA contract, and every new player contract (draft), that 1% (or X%) goes to the "NFL Retired Player Fund" and the "NFL Cares" foundation (set up by you to help them. Trademark your brand.

Too late, I just did it... ;>)

This project IS me trying to do my job as a parent. What's wrong with trying to do something to help a lot of people that I don't know, but very much respect, while at the same time trying to take care my own situation (specifically my son)? I know everybody has problems. This is me trying to address mine...


30% is wayyyy too high. Good luck on that bro. And then an additional 20% to your partner? Are you high?

A non-profit, where you then take a generous salary is a much smarter way to go about it.

Non-profit=people put their guard down.

30% sounds like larceny. No offense.

Again, I figured 30% would work in the beginning, when it would be making the least amount of money, especially since the big money and complete ownership would come after I've been removed from the equation.

Non-profit works, but it's not like I'm trying to trick people. Letting their guards down isn't exactly what I'm hoping for...


Gridiron Greats (http://www.gridirongreats.org/)

LW, DS19922010, RB and MCD5 exhibit exemplary kindness and forebearance, and deserve props.
....

Thank you for the link. It looks like something that could help a lot...
__________________________________________________ ________

And thank you all for putting your thoughts here. I really do appreciate you guys taking the time to reply.

[kuraitengai]

so is this a joke? i just skimmed, saw the 30% to you and 20% to whoever helps you and didnt bother reading. i mean really, who would donate to a cause where only 50% of the take goes to the people its meant for. get it up to 90% and maybe youll have some luck.

[JoeSkins]

This is a scam. Mr. Swanson's response to this guy's proposal tells you all you need to know.

[Thirtyfive2seven]

I lost ya on the Mr. Swanson's response Joeskins, but I agree with the majority here, 50%?? Edit: just re-read the original post and found the part with regards to Karl Swanson. Sorry, but I agree. If he heard you out and decided not to bother with it then I agree there has to be more to it ...

[tibbidoe]

Sorry fellas, no scam here. Only trying to do something good for people and take care of my son. But I do understand someone being cynical of things these days.

You know that one time out of a thousand that something sounds kind of weird, but turns out to be legit?

Yeah... This is that one time. Lucky for me I'm not trying to convince the haters of anything here. The funny thing to me is that, when this thing drops, those with nothing but negative things to say will likely use my product and not even know it.

Karl Swanson didn't give me a chance to explain things completely... I could send more information to make him understand, but I don't feel I should have to. He isn't the one I wanted to talk to anyway.

But either way, thanks for posting.

[skinsfan_1215]

Sorry fellas, no scam here. Only trying to do something good for people and take care of my son. But I do understand someone being cynical of things these days.

You know that one time out of a thousand that something sounds kind of weird, but turns out to be legit?

Yeah... This is that one time. Lucky for me I'm not trying to convince the haters of anything here. The funny thing to me is that, when this thing drops, those with nothing but negative things to say will likely use my product and not even know it.

Karl Swanson didn't give me a chance to explain things completely... I could send more information to make him understand, but I don't feel I should have to. He isn't the one I wanted to talk to anyway.

But either way, thanks for posting.

Ok dude, but the 30% is still a HUGE problem.

What you should do is start yourself off with a base salary, like say $50k.

Then offer yourself performance incentives on top of your base salary, like if you raise between $500k-$750 you get a $25k bonus.

If you raise between $750k and $1mil you get a $40k bonus.

Between $1mil and $1.5 mil, you get a $60k bonus. At this point, say you raise $1.25 million, and you pay yourself $110k of that, you would have over 91% going to the players. That is a good solid number for an organization like this.

If you happen to reach really high numbers, like if you would if you manage to get the entire NFL behind you in this, you would not want to have any less than 95% going to the players. Otherwise it's not a charity, but a scam.

[tibbidoe]

Ok dude, but the 30% is still a HUGE problem.

What you should do is start yourself off with a base salary, like say $50k.

Then offer yourself performance incentives on top of your base salary, like if you raise between $500k-$750 you get a $25k bonus.

If you raise between $750k and $1mil you get a $40k bonus.

Between $1mil and $1.5 mil, you get a $60k bonus. At this point, say you raise $1.25 million, and you pay yourself $110k of that, you would have over 91% going to the players. That is a good solid number for an organization like this.

If you happen to reach really high numbers, like if you would if you manage to get the entire NFL behind you in this, you would not want to have any less than 95% going to the players. Otherwise it's not a charity, but a scam.

Fair enough. The numbers are not set in stone anyway, there were just a starting point... But it's not a charity yet. Right now, it's still up in the air exactly how it will be set up. And no matter how that part goes, my hands will be off of it after a short while anyway.

No scamminess, just not enough details to say for sure how it will definately be worked out. Once it gets going, all of those details will be worked out.

[Gibbs Hog Heaven]

Whatever the outcome here tibbidoe, please keep us all informed down the road.

I know little about the in's and out's of business, so I can't suggest anything on that score to help, sadly, but I wish you every success in getting this project off the ground.

And I'm sure a lot of retired players would as well. ;)

Hail.

[bu7ch]

Hell I wouldn't mind helping out in the Cincinnati Chapter (or w/e you could call it) but the 30% would have to go down. Honestly, a non-profit would be best and I'm sure the other posters have already addressed it but I'm tired enough to respond but not thoroughly read every single response. I do computer (non-programming) work for a non-profit in Cincy and the contact I deal with there has a son who plays for the Giants. It's nice to work for a non-profit org who doesn't care about the bottom line in today's economy.

[SKOALSKIN]

I'm lost here. What exactly is the product?

[morpheusmeyers]

It's going to be awfully tough trying to raise money for a cause as a for profit organization, whether that be an LLC, S Corp, C Corp, etc. You should set yourself up as a 501C3 non-profit organization.

Your goals don't mesh. You say that you just want to help retired players, but in the same breath state that you want to set your son up financially. Either you're in it for the cause, or you're looking to profit. If you're looking to profit, that's fine. You're just going to have a difficult time raising money for a cause as a for profit company.

Talk to a CPA.

[Forehead]

It is sound, it is unique and it is clear to me that I’ll have to get it off the ground myself.

The main problem is that all I have right now is the idea. I had a software guy that was going to build it with Visual Basic, but he backed out. It will require a complex, but doable, program to get it working, and he didn’t want to invest his time in writing it. But, the program itself would be adjustable to fit all of the major sports and also college sports.

The other problem is marketing. Even after the program is put together, getting it out to people will be difficult. I’m just a poor schmuck with no financial means to launch something like this on my own. I know it will sound silly, but I’ve emailed the Redskins, Oprah Winfrey, Bill Gates, many former players, etc. to try and get someone to listen. The way I hope to split it would be:

50% to retired players
30% to me
20% to whomever I can find to help make it happen

Then, after a couple of years, I will give my part up. I’m not trying to get rich, only to get out of the rut I currently reside in and also help many people who, I feel, deserve it.

Um, you haven't explained anything. When I read this, all I'm reading is.


1. I have a plan to put money in retired player's pockets.
2. It is sound and unique.
3. I'm having problems with programming and marketing.
4. 50% will go to players, 30% to me, etc.

At no point have you explained what you're planning on doing. I literally have no idea how you plan to raise this money from your post, it sounds like you just want people to pledge/give money, which will then be redistributed. How is that unique? There are tons of charities/organizations that do that exact same thing, you're just focusing on a particular niche.

I'm not trying to be a jerk about it, but this is way too ambiguous of a proposal, so if you really have contacted Gates, Winfrey, etc, I'm not surprised that no one has contacted you back. It really does sound fishy.

And while I find it admirable you're trying to provide for your family, stating up front that you want 30%, and are trying to take care of your son, makes it sound less like you're in it for the players and more like you're in it for yourself.

[SKOALSKIN]

This sounds similar to the West African scam's I get every day. I have a suggestion. Go learn a trade. This is another get rich quick scheme that no one is interested in.

[Fletch_Lives59]

are you self made? This sounds very time consuming......:thumbsup:

[artmonkforHOF]

I think it is a great idea in theory, but that is the job of the player unions.

I do feel bad when you hear stories of guys suffering from all sorts of head injuries, depression, and other physical ailments, and some of these guys don't even get enough to cover their prescription bills, let alone the medical bills, but the union is in place to take care of it's retired players.

I know the NFL players union has come under fire for not supporting it's pensioners as much as they should have, but I don't see any sort of meaningful payment from the union to fix all of the issues (I think they addressed some before the start of last season).

I think the NFL should take all the money collected from player and coaches fines and put that in a pool for retired players, instead of giving it to charaties like they currently do. My "take care of your own" policy, if you will. this would top up the money during the season, and some players might be willing to take a 15 yard celebration penalty after a TD if they know the money is going to help former players, and how cool would that be, seeing Peyton Manning doing the Icky shuffle while screaming "This one's for Raymond Berry! or Freney doing a sack dance and christening it the Gino Marchetti mamaba.

[Forehead]

This sounds similar to the West African scam's I get every day. I have a suggestion. Go learn a trade. This is another get rich quick scheme that no one is interested in.

Would you believe I got an e-mail from the "FBI" today warning me of these scams, and what African bankers names to be wary of. All I had to do was give them my name, address, bank name, etc. and deposit some money through Western Union, and they would complete the process of protecting me from future scams. Plus, I stood to make 2-3 million dollars, though I'm not sure how.


I think it is a great idea in theory, but that is the job of the player unions.

I agree, it sounds nice, but again, from reading the OP, I didn't see an actual idea in there, anywhere. I saw a desired outcome, but no idea.

[tibbidoe]

My final post on this topic:

1. Yes, I have been very vague with the exact details. Surprising, huh? You find it strange that I'm not putting the intricate details of this out there for thousands of people to see and possibly take. Unless you are the person(s) that I will work with to make this happen, you will not get that information. Sorry.

2. Yes, I hope to make something off of this. The initial idea for this was not as a non-profit, but as a business venture. It was to be the first of two parts.

First, the business. I would have wanted the 30% of the business for a couple of years and then remove myself from it. If giving away a multi-million dollar business, which is what this could turn into, is being greedy, then I guess you are right. If trying to help thousands of strangers AND taking care of my son is wrong, then I guess I'm screwed.

Second, the rest. I had already thought of ways of using this product to create a charity. I'm still not 100% on the difference between a charity and a non-profit. But that was to be the second part of it. And the charity, to be clear, would be 100% for the players. My hands would never touch a penny generated by the charity.

So, in my head to start, 30% of the BUSINESS would have been mine. That means 70% would be taken by the players and the business partners AND 100% of the charity would be taken by the players. After a while, it would have been 100% for the players from both parts.

Now, my approach may be different. If the whole thing is going to be in the non-profit direction, all the expectations on my part have changed. I don't have enough data to tell you exactly what will happen. I wouldn't tell you if I did have it.

But all of the negative, small-minded skeptics can rest assured, this is not something that is designed to take advantage of ANY person, in ANY way, at ANY time.

I hope some of this helps you sleep better tonight...

EDIT: The people suggesting that I am trying to screw the players over really pissed me off. Sorry. I forgot to thank the people who actually helped me figure some of this stuff out:

Leonard Washington, DallasSucks19922010, RedBeast, McD5, velocet, skinsfan_1215, Gibbs Hog Heaven, bu7ch, artmonkforHOF

Thank you all for your advice and/or positive thoughts... I'll post about this again once things get rolling.

[SKOALSKIN]

Is that you Kenny Powers?

[aszumilo]

There are a few issues that I would have making a donation to this cause.

1. What kind of experience do you have in this sort of venture?
2. When people think of professional athletes, they think of millions of dollars in salaries they make. How do you expect people to donate based in this fact? Even though many older players have never come close to making what they make now, people's perceptions will still be focused on today's salaries.
3. As others have stated before, why don't you make it a non-profit organization? You say that you would not get any money that way, which is false. The CEO of United Way makes millions, so why couldn't you set a salary for yourself? Nothing wrong with that.
4. Being you want to set it up as a for profit company, you will be responsible for taxes on the income. Whether you give 50% of the profit to the players, you will still have to pay taxes on that. What will the players actually receive after taxes? 30%? 35%?
5. How will the money be distributed to the players? I know you don't want to give out a lot of info, but, are you going to set up an account of some type for players to draw from or will you be donating that money to other charities?

A lot of people come across as skeptics here, not because they think it is a bad idea, but, because there doesn't seem to be a sound foundation for this type of venture. I think it is admirable that you want to help people, but, if you want my (and others) support you are going to have to give us more information to work with or you will be relegated to the "scam" section. Just my thoughts.

[morpheusmeyers]

At the forum I went to last weekend, both Terry Bradshaw and Howie Long mentioned the need to help financially strapped players who don't have the financial means to pay for surguries. The way Bradshaw/Long described it is that a player has 3 years upon his retirement to file a grievance with the NFL itemizing their ailments. e.g. left shoulder, dislocated 12-15-83, Washington vs. Philadelphia, will likely need additional surgery as per Dr. X. The way Bradshaw explained it, if the player files the grievance in time than the NFL will pay for the players ongoing maintenance on that body part or parts. But if the player doesn't file, then the NFL will not compensate the player for future surguries.

The problem is that many of the players in the 70's and 80's did not file on time and because NFL salaries had not yet balooned those players often are strapped financially and can not afford to pay for their surguries.

Bradshaw stated that he made a little under $30K his rookie year as the #1 overall pick in the NFL draft. He said that he worked 2nd jobs each offseason for his 1st 5 years in the league, selling used cars and working in factories. Long said he made about $35K his rookie year. Obviously lesser tier players made far less.

Bradshaw/Long stated that the NFL needs to do more to help retired players.

[SKOALSKIN]

The retired NFL Players have a major gripe. But I still dont see how some random guy's "investment opportunity" is going to help. The only solution to this problem is for the NFL to do the right thing by sharing their Billions in revenue with the past players.
Shouldn't these rare opportunities be posted in the classified section? Or craigslist?

[HawaiianTime]

tibbidoe, as an officer of a 501c3 organization, you can get paid. Getting a 501c3 designation makes donations a tax write off and a must for business donations. I'm not sure what your plans are, but you can also see about writing for grants. I'm not sure about your plans, but the program you are talking about will dictate the type of programming language you will want to use, so it would be best to write a complete outline of what you want to accomplish. Dispose of the 30% for yourself, and pay yourself accordingly as the nonprofit grows. I don't know if I can be of assistance, but let me know.

[robotfire]

This sounds exactly like Michael's plan on The Office last night. He decided on a whim to start a paper company, with no idea how any of that works. Your idea is only going to get you further in the hole. It won't solve your problem.