Just as soon as the NCAA transfer portal window for college football players comes to a close, the final day for CFP underclassmen to declare for the NFL Draft also shutters. This is followed by declaration deadlines for the NBA, MLB, NHL, MLS, and WNBA (in that order). While an exciting time for prospects, teams/organizations, leagues, and fans, it can be severely nerve-racking for athletes. In the same manner that we looked the mental health implications of the NCAA transfer portal (view here) Kindbridge is shining a light on the emotional struggles that athletes deliberating draft declarations face in modern times.
Overview of How Athlete Mental Health is Challenged Prior to Professional Sports League Draft Declarations
Draft Uncertainty and Impact on Existing Mental Health Struggles
There is a risk associated with an underclassman declaring for a professional sports draft like the NFL, NBA, and WNBA, which is the forfeiture of remaining college eligibility. If a player is not drafted or does not receive a desirable contract offer, they generally cannot return to play college sports to improve their standing for the next year’s draft.
While a small group of athletes are a “sure thing” in getting drafted, the bulk are not. Recent data indicates that only 1.6% of all draft-eligible college football players get drafted by the NFL. Meanwhile, the NCAA reports that only 3-4% of all draft-eligible Division I declared college basketball players get drafted by the NBA, with even fewer getting guaranteed contracts. The NCAA also reports that 2.9% of declared college women’s basketball players are drafted by the WNBA. Given the risk associated with declaring, and the incredibly steep odds, there is a notable elevation of anxiety experienced by declared college athletes. It is significant and multifaceted, stemming from career uncertainty, financial pressures, performance expectations, and the aforementioned potential loss of NCAA eligibility. This sort of pressure is enough to manifest symptoms of chronic stress and anxiety in any person, but when considering that college athletes are already predisposed to the following, the concern over their wellbeing is compounded:
| Mental Exhaustion and Burnout | Anxiety |
| Depression | Chronic Stress |
| Substance Abuse | Eating Disorders |
Even athletes who are practically guaranteed to make the draft experience anxiety and stress over their position in the draft. Draft position has a direct impact on where they will live/play (a life disrupting event) and may compromise sponsorship contracts. This leads us to the next section.
Pressure of Carrying NIL Deals into the Big Leagues
NIL is an acronym for name, image, likeness. In 2021, the NCAA Division 1 Board of Directors approved a NIL policy that allows all NCAA D1, D2 and D3 student-athletes to be compensated for their NIL. This allows amateur athletes to enter into lucrative sponsorship deals. In some cases there are potentially millions of collegiate career dollars on the table. Whether earning four-figures a month from one’s own social media influence or six figures on annual contracts with big brands, it’s all placed at risk when declaring for a draft. And even if draft prospects look good, there is immense pressure to fulfill on carry-over and new sponsorship contracts which are dependent upon future performance on the court or field. This is a LOT for a young adult athlete to wrap their head around, especially when there are others depending upon their success. Please keep reading.
Pressure of Supporting Dependents
There is a multicultural and sociocultural phenomenon occurring in many communities in the United States. A cultural norm persists where households lean on the success of their athlete offspring. Collegiate level athletes are often happy to take on this responsibility, seeing it as a way to give back to their parents and others in their familial and social circle who have been supportive in their success. Despite this willingness, it can be burdensome, especially when the time comes to make a decision about declaring for a professional sports draft.
In some cases, an athlete may not feel as if they are emotionally and or physically ready to enter, and/or may want to complete their education before declaring. However, the pressure to declare because they have a group of people who are dependent on them may be so intense that they make a decision that is not best for them. They know that delay in declaring could compromise their future should they sustain an injury or underperform in the next collegiate season, a sentiment that may be reinforced by dependents. This pressure is compounded by the previously detailed risk (loss of continued collegiate eligibility) associated with declaring.
Pressure from Sports Betting Markets?
As if the above weren’t enough, there is a new threat to the mental health of young adult athletes deciding on draft declarations – the sports betting market.
The rise of online sports betting in addition to the nationwide introduction of sports trading (view here) has resulted in a rise in pressure for college athletes whose performance on the court and field has millions of dollars of implications for the wagering public. Young athletes are now the targets of disgruntled gamblers who irrationally make them culpable for their financial losses. A recent analysis conducted b the NCAA found that sexual abuse, racism, and homophobia/transphobia are among the most common harassment categories, with threats of physical violence accompanying verbal harassment. Given that any individual athlete decision regarding movement towards the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, MLS, and WNBA draft can have a direct impact on betting markets, the risk of abuse by disgruntled gamblers may grow. This adds a layer of complexity to concerns about anxiety, stress, and depression among vulnerable athletes.
Student athletes have expressed a perceived lack of comprehensive support when entering professional league drafts. While preparatory support is there in regard to their athletic performance, they point to a lack of the same in financial education, mentorship, career transition programs, and mental health resources. While much of this falls upon parents/guardians, collegiate programs, and the leagues they are hoping or preparing to enter, Kindbridge is ready to carry the burden for much of the latter.
Are you, or a representative of, a college athlete struggling with the pressures of deliberating draft declarations or anything else? We’re here. Click/tap to learn more about our athlete counseling services or call right away to speak to a care coordinator.
