Sun Life Financial has teamed up with the Canadian Football League (CFL) and the Canadian Football League Players’ Association (CFLPA) to offer financial planning and career seminars to all players across the eight teams.
This marks the first time the CFLPA has partnered with a financial services organization to provide athletes with potential career opportunities for life after football. Additionally, Sun Life will also be offering all CFL players access to its financial tools and calculators.
“CFL athletes share the same concerns as other Canadians when it comes to saving money and planning for their retirement,” says Mary De Paoli, executive vice president and chief marketing officer, Sun Life Financial. “We’re excited to expand our relationship with the CFL to include the CFLPA so we can offer tailored financial guidance to their players.”
In addition to financial planning seminars, Sun Life’s career seminars will give players the opportunity to learn about becoming a Sun Life advisor once they step off the field. Given the average CFL career is only three years, many athletes are left with the decision of what to do once their playing days are over.
Sun Life notes that CFL athletes possess many of the same attributes of successful Sun Life advisors – dedication, drive, and a positive sense of teamwork. In fact, Sun Life currently has four former CFL players who transitioned into their second career as advisors.
“The CFLPA’s new partnership with Sun Life really gives the players another dimension to life after football,” said Mike Morreale, president, CFLPA.
The CFLPA partnership is in addition to a two-year sponsorship extension that Sun Life has signed with the CFL, which will continue the association of the two brands straight through the 2013 season. Player jerseys and a portion of the end zone signage will feature the Sun Life logo during the CFL playoffs as well as the 100th Grey Cup game.