A high dollar contract isn’t a slam dunk to a rich life. More than 60% of professional athletes end up broke within five years of their retirement. Financial and credit education, and equitable access to financial tools are the drivers behind the new B.A.L.L. for Life program, a partnership with the National Urban League and Experian, the leading global information services company.
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B.A.L.L. for Life (Be A Legacy Leader) was announced at the recent Iverson Roundball Classic, for which Experian returns as the exclusive financial literacy partner. The program serves as a catalyst for engaging with Black communities and low-income youth through live events and digital financial education. Subject matter experts, former sports professionals, celebrities and influencers share their experiences and expertise covering topics such as banking, credit, financial management and investing.
“It’s past time to retire the narrative of the pro athlete who wins the contract and loses the fortune, and it starts with empowering our young people and the broader community with financial tools to build and maintain wealth. The committed involvement of many of today’s most successful and influential athletes makes the B.A.L.L. for Life initiative a potential game changer. The National Urban League is grateful to Experian for its innovative partnership in creating equitable access to financial education,” Marc H. Morial, president and CEO of the National Urban League.
“These young guys are the future. They say it’s an honor being selected to the Iverson Classic. But it’s still an honor to me that they choose to be part of my game. We are part of each other’s legacies now. Thank you, Experian and the National Urban League for helping us do something so incredible for them,” said Allen Iverson, NBA Hall of Famer.
In addition to a B.A.L.L. for Life portal, a gamified app enables users to learn about credit and financial tools by shooting hoops using gesture controls and have a chance to earn a virtual jersey. Experian research shows 28% of Black consumers and 26% of Hispanic consumers are invisible to the credit market, compared to 16% of Asian and White consumers.
“We’re excited to join forces with the National Urban League in creating this new program. In the game of life, we can set-up young adults for long term financial success by exposing them early to financial literacy. Modernizing and normalizing conversations about banking, credit and investing through the B.A.L.L. for Life initiative will empower them and their families to build generational wealth and a secure future,” said Wil Lewis, Experian’s global chief diversity, equity, inclusion and talent acquisition officer.
B.A.L.L. for Life is an expansion of Experian’s partnership with the National Urban League and a continuation of its popular Building Wealth in the Black Community Initiative. Previously, Experian’s United for Financial Health Home Preservation Grant helped consumers at risk of losing their homes because of a COVID-19-related hardship through local National Urban League chapters. To learn more about Experian’s work in diverse communities, visit: www.experian.com/diversity
ABOUT NATIONAL URBAN LEAGUE
The National Urban League is a historic civil rights organization dedicated to economic empowerment in order to elevate the standard of living in historically underserved urban communities. The National Urban League spearheads the efforts of its 90 local affiliates through the development of programs, public policy research and advocacy, providing direct services that impact and improve the lives of more than 2 million people annually nationwide. Visit www.nul.org and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram: @NatUrbanLeague.
ABOUT EXPERIAN
Experian is the world’s leading global information services company. During life’s big moments – from buying a home or a car, to sending a child to college, to growing a business by connecting with new customers – we empower consumers and our clients to manage their data with confidence. We help individuals to take financial control and access financial services, businesses to make smarter decisions and thrive, lenders to lend more responsibly, and organizations to prevent identity fraud and crime.
We have 21,700 people operating across 30 countries and every day we’re investing in new technologies, talented people, and innovation to help all our clients maximize every opportunity. With corporate headquarters in Dublin, Ireland, we are listed on the London Stock Exchange (EXPN) and are a constituent of the FTSE 100 Index.
Learn more at www.experianplc.com or visit our global content hub at our global news blog for the latest news and insights from the Group.
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