Insurance Firm Gallagher Pioneers Athlete Internship Program
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Cary, North Carolina – August 17, 2025 – Insurance brokerage firm Gallagher is redefining its talent acquisition strategy by actively recruiting professional athletes for internships, providing a unique bridge to post-sports careers and injecting fresh perspectives into the industry. The program, launched in 2024, aims to leverage the discipline and teamwork honed by athletes in a corporate surroundings.
A New Pathway for Athletes
Gallagher expanded its internship offerings last year to include positions specifically for professional athletes, recognizing the transferable skills they possess. Chris Mead, Gallagher’s chief marketing officer, emphasized the value athletes bring to the company. “They know what it’s like to work hard and how long that path is to get to success,” mead stated. “They know what it’s like to be part of a team and how to lead one.”
This year, the program welcomed eight athletes from the National Women’s Soccer League’s Chicago Stars. Leilanni Nesbeth, a current midfielder, and Chardonnay Curran, a former midfielder, both seized the chance for a paid internship. “It means a lot for us to be able to get our foot in the door,” Nesbeth shared in a recent interview.
Curran, who had not previously held a corporate position, noted, “Being a pro soccer player was my first career, and I’ve never been in a corporate setting.”
Did You Know? The average National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) salary is approximately $125,000 per season, highlighting the need for athletes to proactively plan for financial stability beyond their playing careers.
Program Structure and Benefits
The Gallagher Partnership Intern Program debuted in 2024 with four players from the National Football League’s Atlanta Falcons. The six-week program provides participants with buisness experience, professional skill development, career mentorship, and an immersive understanding of insurance brokerage, sales, and corporate culture. Gallagher tailors the program to accommodate the demanding schedules of its athlete interns.
The initiative addresses a critical need for athletes, whose careers are often short and financially unpredictable. According to research on career transitions for athletes, proactive planning and skill diversification are crucial for long-term financial security [[1]].
Nesbeth jokingly remarked, “We went in there knowing nothing about insurance, and now I could probably bore your head off about RPS,” referencing “risk placement services,” a key industry term.
Curran found the experience challenged her preconceptions about the insurance sector. “After doing the internship, everything I thought about insurance was the exact opposite,” she explained.
Notably,Curran and the Chicago Stars mutually agreed to terminate her contract shortly after her CNBC interview. Mead indicated that Gallagher has extended full-time employment offers to several athlete interns following the completion of their playing careers. He also shared that the company employs a former professional rugby player as a top salesperson in Europe.
“There’s a time when the light bulb goes off and they see how celebrating a win on the pitch is no different than celebrating a win after a sale or doing something fantastic for a customer,” Mead told CNBC.
Pro Tip: For athletes considering a career transition, identifying transferable skills – leadership, teamwork, discipline, resilience – is a crucial first step.
Industry-Wide Trend
Gallagher is not alone in recognizing the potential of athlete engagement.State Farm has long utilized prominent athletes like Eli Manning, Reggie Miller, Patrick Mahomes, and Caitlin Clark in its advertising campaigns. AIG recently announced a strategic investment in Salford City Football Club, a League two club in the U.K. . Nationwide, a partner of the NWSL, also offers a similar internship program at its Columbus, Ohio headquarters, aiming to provide league players with professional development opportunities. Jim McCoy, Nationwide’s vice president of sports marketing, stated, “Our hope is that the players walk away with new skills and experiences that may serve them now and in their post-playing careers, perhaps back at Nationwide.”
| Company | Program Focus | Athlete Focus | Year Launched |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gallagher | Internship & Full-Time Employment | NFL, NWSL | 2024 |
| Nationwide | Internship & Professional Development | NWSL | Ongoing |
| AIG | Strategic Investment & Partnership | Soccer (League Two) | 2025 |
| State Farm | Brand Ambassadorship | Various Sports | Ongoing |
What skills do you think are most transferable from professional athletics to the corporate world? How can companies best support athletes in making successful career transitions?
Looking Ahead: The Future of Athlete Career Transitions
The trend of companies actively recruiting athletes reflects a growing awareness of the valuable skills and experiences they bring. As professional sports continue to evolve, and athletes increasingly prioritize long-term financial security, we can expect to see more innovative programs designed to facilitate successful career transitions. This includes a focus on financial literacy, mentorship opportunities, and skill-based training tailored to the needs of the corporate world. The intersection of sports and business is poised for continued growth, creating mutually beneficial partnerships that empower athletes and strengthen organizations.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is Gallagher’s Partnership Intern Program? It’s a six-week program offering athletes business experience, skill development, and mentorship.
- Which sports leagues are involved in these internship programs? Currently, the NFL, NWSL, and European rugby are represented.
- what benefits do athletes gain from these internships? They gain valuable business skills, career mentorship, and a pathway to post-sports employment.
- Is this a new trend? While athlete endorsements are common, direct internship and employment programs are a relatively recent development.
- What is the average NWSL salary? The average NWSL salary is approximately $125,000 per season.
- Why are companies targeting athletes? Athletes possess valuable transferable skills like teamwork, leadership, and discipline.
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