In a candid discussion on the “Underground Lounge Podcast,” NBA veteran Lou Williams shed light on the dynamics of maintaining relationships while navigating the turbulent career of a professional basketball player.
“I’m from Atlanta. If I’m playing for the Clippers, she might move with me, but I’m on the road three, four nights a week. I only got to deal with her for two nights at a time. You dig what I’m saying? I got to deal with her two nights at a time during the week.”
Williams, drawing from his own experiences, highlighted the challenges of balancing life on the road with family commitments. As someone accustomed to frequent travel and extended periods away from home, he emphasized the importance of finding ways to keep spouses and partners content during those absences.
“You know how we keep her happy? Keep sending her to the mall. That’s how you keep her quiet. That’s why it’s okay. It’s okay, I understand. It’s a sacrifice. I’ll stay home with the kids it’s okay you know why cuz she can shop in peace right, you ain’t in her f***ing ear and you on the road doing whatever you doing, she ain’t in your ear.”
The Atlanta native acknowledged that while players may relocate with their significant others, the demanding NBA schedule often means spending limited time together. To address this, Williams humorously shared a tactic employed by many athletes—indulging their partners with shopping trips. He quipped that sending them to the mall kept them happy and occupied while players were away competing.
“Y’all really gotta get to know each other for real. Cause he’s used to spending time with you, getting the f*** out of here. Spending time with you, getting the f*** out of here. So how you gonna keep her happy when your keep her happy button is send her to the mall.”
Furthermore, Williams underscored the sacrifices made by both players and their partners in maintaining relationships amidst the demands of a professional sports career. He acknowledged the challenges of juggling family responsibilities with the rigorous NBA schedule, highlighting the need for mutual understanding and compromise.
Reflecting on his own journey, Williams emphasized the importance of communication and shared experiences in fostering strong relationships. He acknowledged the necessity for couples to truly get to know each other beyond the confines of basketball season, especially during retirement when players transition to a more traditional family life.
Williams offered a candid portrayal of the complexities and realities of relationships in the NBA. While the lifestyle may present unique challenges, he emphasized the resilience and adaptability of players and their partners in navigating the highs and lows of a professional basketball career. Through humor and honesty, Williams provided insight into the delicate balance between athletic pursuits and personal relationships in the NBA world.
Lou Williams On How NBA Players Are Left With Only $1.5 Million From A $5 Million Salary
In a candid exploration of the financial landscape in the NBA, Lou Williams exposed the stark realities that often accompany the glitz and glamour of professional basketball. During his discourse, Williams delved into the sobering statistic that from a $5 million salary, players may find themselves left with as little as $1.5 million after accounting for various expenses and financial obligations.
“Four years is the average life-span of the NBA career, and it’s a good five years after that to go broke… I’d go like this: you make five million dollars, two-and-a-half of that gone, you got an agent fee, probably another of that 50 of that gone.”
“We got dues for the NBPA, So everybody put their money in the pot. So you figure you got 450 NBA players. I think the dues is 15 to 20 grand a year. Everybody put it in the pot. That’s how we able to get our health care and all of that type of s**t.”
“Then you got your personal staff. Financial advisors probably 1%. Agent at a high number is going to get 4%. But you can negotiate from one to four. Okay, so before you look up, you probably at 1.5 million off of five.”
Williams highlighted the staggering statistic that the average NBA career lasts just four years, with many players facing financial hardship within five years of retirement. He delved into the breakdown of a hypothetical $5 million salary, revealing that significant portions are allocated to agent fees, union dues, and personal staff expenses.
The veteran guard shed light on the often overlooked costs associated with professional sports, including the dues paid to the NBPA, which fund essential benefits such as healthcare. Additionally, Williams outlined the financial obligations to agents and financial advisors, which can further erode players’ earnings.
“In real life, a lot of that pie gone. So again, and we 17, 18-year-old kids. These are first experiences… I don’t care what you go to school for, it’s gonna take you five or six years of that experience, to even realize what’s happening to you.”
“I had a week I bought a Ferrari and a Lamborghini in the same week and I rationalized it with my financial advisor. He was like I can’t legally tell you what to do with your money, but I don’t think that’s a good decision.”
Drawing from personal experience, Williams candidly admitted to past extravagances, including purchasing luxury vehicles in quick succession. He acknowledged the allure of enjoying the fruits of success but underscored the long-term consequences of unchecked spending habits.
“A lot of people think is like you just got a reckless spending habit. It ain’t that we got reckless spending habits, we just got crazy overhead and once the check stops, it gets completely different.”
Furthermore, Williams challenged the misconception that athletes squander their fortunes through reckless spending, asserting that it’s primarily a result of high overhead costs. He emphasized the abrupt transition players face when their lucrative contracts come to an end, leaving them with substantial expenses and diminished income streams.
Williams’ revelations served as a wake-up call to players and fans alike, prompting a reevaluation of prevailing attitudes towards wealth and spending in the NBA. Through his candid commentary, he sparked a broader conversation about the financial realities faced by athletes and the imperative of fostering greater financial awareness within the league.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=20gGJ_D18dY
Thank you for being a valued reader of Fadeaway World. If you liked this article, please consider following us on Google News. We really appreciate your support.
