Athletes’ good intentions aren’t enough — their foundations need stronger support |
One detail in the Alec Bohm lawsuit made my heart sink.
The Philadelphia Phillies infielder claims his parents used funds from the Alec Bohm Foundation, his charitable organization, to pay their personal expenses.
What a loss — not only because Bohm’s foundation has the potential to do good, but also because situations of charitable mismanagement are often preventable with a few good conversations.
The good work athletes do
Athletes launch foundations to use their platform for good. That impulse, the desire to give back, is something I see in professional sports every day.
Athletes fund youth sports programs in underserved communities. They build fields and facilities where kids can play. They support families through medical crises and show up at hospitals, fire stations, and schools because these communities mean something to them.
When done right, athlete philanthropy changes lives for the people they help and for the athletes themselves. The “giving high” is real. Athletes who engage meaningfully with their communities perform better, feel more connected to their purpose, and build legacies that outlast their playing careers.
That’s what makes situations like Bohm’s so heartbreaking. The people who should have benefited from his charitable work may receive nothing. And an athlete who wanted to do good now faces questions about whether his foundation was run properly.
For agents, team executives and industry professionals who guide athletes through these decisions, understanding the risks is essential. Because........