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MLB Athletes
Contract-Based Financing for MLB Players
Contract-based financing is a specialized type of financing that allows a borrower to secure funds using a contract as the basis for a loan. For MLB players, this is often very beneficial as contract-based financing is not dependent on the borrower having a high personal credit-score, income history, or even collateral such as a house. The amount a MLB player can borrow using an MLB loan is determined by the type of contract, size of the contract, and the number of years remaining on the contract. With an MLB player contract in-place, a player can access a percentage of the remaining guaranteed dollars on their MLB player contract.
What Can a MLB Player Use a Contract Loan for?
MLB contract advances are excellent options for players who need funds for various purposes such as:
What is the Process to Applying for an MLB Contract Loan?
Applying for a MLB Contract Advance is a simple and straightforward process. The first step is to submit a loan request which you can do on our Request Financing page. Once the request has been submitted, potential borrowers will go through the process outlined below:
Pre-Qualification
Upon receiving a loan request, the Sure Sports credit team will review the athlete’s contract and request, to determine eligibility. If an athlete’s contract qualifies him/her for a loan, then terms are provided within 1-2 business days.
Proposed Terms Issued
After accepting the loan terms and submitting a signed term sheet along with a credit and background authorization form, Sure Sports will conduct a credit check on the borrower within 1-2 business days.
Client Signs the Term Sheet
After accepting the loan terms and submitting a signed term sheet along with a credit and background authorization form, Sure Sports will conduct a credit check on the borrower within 1-2 business days.
Application Process
The required documents for loan application will be requested within 1-2 business days after receiving the signed term sheet.
Underwriting
The length of the underwriting process is determined by the complexity of the loan and can be as little as 3-5 business days and up to two weeks in some cases.
Credit Decision
At the conclusion of the underwriting process, your loan will either be approved with final terms, declined, or receive a request for additional information.
Loan Documents Drafted
Once final approval has been provided, loan documents are drafted which may take 1-2 business days.
Closing & Funding
The timeline from receiving a full file to closing/funding ranges from 1 week for private-line loans to 2-4 weeks for bank-line loans.
Contract-Based Financing Repayment Terms for MLB Players
Unlike traditional loan options, contract financing provides MLB players with flexibility when it comes to loan repayment. The repayment of a contract advance will be coterminous with the player’s MLB contract, meaning the amount of time a MLB player has to repay the loan will match the amount of time left of the player’s MLB contract.
Most people are not aware that MLB players only receive their income during the MLB season. While this can certainly present a challenge during the offseason, Sure Sports will always customize a MLB player’s loan repayment schedule so the player is only making payments when they are getting paid, between May – October.
Benefits of Contract-Based Financing With Sure Sports
Most traditional banks are reluctant to provide an unsecured contract-based loan to MLB players, leaving these players with few options but to take out high-interest rate loans from private lending companies or sell a percentage of their future earnings to meet current obligations.
Working with Sure Sports, MLB players have access to the speed and ease of working with private lenders where funds are often available in as little as 48 hours following approval. In addition, thanks to Sure Sports relationships with bank partners across the country, MLB players are also able to qualify for unsecured contract-based loans with traditional banks. This access is unique, and due in part to Sure Sports’ deep understanding of the sports and banking industries, as well as relationships in these industries that span decades. The flexibility to provide both private and bank loans to MLB players truly sets Sure Sports apart from other companies in this space.
When a MLB player is looking for capital, regardless of the use of funds, discretion is extremely important. Confidentiality is at the forefront of every Sure Sports loan request. In addition, a MLB Player or their advisors will work exclusively with Sure Sports from the initial request until the loan is paid off. This ensures a seamless experience for MLB players and their advisors throughout the entire process.
What about Arbitration Eligible MLB Players and Free Agents?
Since a contract loan requires a valid contract to lend against, MLB players who are in Arbitration or are free agents are not eligible for a Contract Loan. However, Sure Sports has a specialty product that can help these players with their financing needs as well. Using the player’s Future Market Value, Sure Sports offers a bridge loan that enables players to bridge their income gap without the requirement of making loan payments.
MLB Player Contract-Based Financing
Case Study
Sure Sports received a request to assist a MLB player with restructuring $3.5M in high-priced debt.
The player wanted to reduce his interest rate/expense as well as keep the length of the loan as short as possible
The ARB2 Player had recently signed a 1-year contract which, on its own, would not support the request.
Sure Sports commissioned a market value analysis to determine the player’s potential earnings the following year.
By blending the player’s current salary with his anticipated salary for the following season, Sure Sports was able to provide the player with a Guaranteed Contract Loan at 30% of his current contract, and 10% of his Market Value for the following season.
RESULT
As a result of the restructured debt, the player lowered his interest rate from 14.5% to 5%, saving over $95,000 in interest expenses.
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