The 3-Bucket Investment Strategy for Athletes

Key Takeaways:

• Begin with the checkdown: emergency funds and near-term needs provide stability and keep your family on schedule.

• Progress to public market investments to drive disciplined, long-term asset growth.

• For those positioned to qualify, private market opportunities—reserved for accredited investors—can drive substantial long-term financial growth.

First Read The Checkdown Bucket for Stability

Quarterbacks approach every snap with a structured progression. In wealth, that first read is the checkdown—money you must have available now, not later. This bucket covers emergency funds, tax payments, and upcoming purchases such as a home or tuition. Every pro athlete, regardless of contract size, needs this buffer to withstand life’s unexpected challenges. Think of it as going five yards on first down: unglamorous, indispensable. Funding this bucket is about putting your own mask on first—protecting yourself and your family from financial turbulence. When the unexpected blitz comes, your game plan holds. With these reserves in place, you’ve got the flexibility and confidence to read the field and consider your next play.

Second Read Advancing with Public Market Investments

Once the checkdown is secured, the wise quarterback eyes the second option: pushing upfield with calculated risk. The second bucket centers on public markets—investing in shares of strong companies. Here, you can pursue higher long-term returns, knowing you’re anchored by reserves. It’s like facing second and short: more playbook, more opportunity, but still disciplined. The goal, as every seasoned player knows, is to position assets for compounding growth over time, building momentum and resilience for your family’s future. Consistency and system-driven decisions matter. Too many fumble this stage by chasing highlights or abandoning the playbook. For athlete families, allocating to the right mix of public investments sets a growth engine in motion, with decades of market history at your back. This is the bucket that sustains your plan, season after season.

Third Read The Deep Shot in Private Markets

Progress through the reads and you earn the moment to go big—the third bucket. Private market investments are the deep shots, reserved for those with both the means and the discipline to qualify as accredited or qualified purchasers. This VIP section includes venture capital, private equity, and privately-held real estate, where access isn’t just about capital, but connections and reputation. In the podcast, our team makes it clear: historically, those with top-tier access have seen annualized returns over 20% through certain private funds—sometimes doubling invested capital in about four years. But getting in the right doors is key, and patience is non-negotiable: expect your capital to be locked away for up to a decade. Manager quality, entry timing, and structure shape outcomes. For families with solid footing and the right guidance, this bucket offers a distinct chance to pursue multi-generational growth.

Play Calling for the 100-Year Family

Quarterbacks who master their progression don’t just win drives—they build winning cultures. The same is true in stewarding wealth for your family. At AWM Capital, our approach ensures you anchor your plan with stability, add disciplined growth, and access select opportunities only when ready. Ready to map out your progression or strengthen your current playbook? Let’s review your game plan together, so your family thrives for seasons—and generations—to come.