text: Well, your question is a bit ambiguous, kind of a catch 22.\n\nIn my case, I would prefer to be the athlete.  I would get lots of money, up-front.  During my athletic career, I would invest it as I would if I were a business man.\n\nOnce my career was finished I'd have a LOT more capital to use and can then approach my new business with more choices.  Keep in mind that part of being a successful businessman is in your ability to attract people, and certainly athletes are among the most popular of people.  Therefore, when they are done with their career, have a good portion of their income available for business, I would have to say I MUCH prefer being an athlete first!