Good Iverson story

http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/wizards/allen-iverson-nba-icon-struggles-with-life-after-basketball/2013/04/19/bfd108f8-a76e-11e2-a8e2-5b98cb59187f_story_4.html

Typically sad tale of a star athlete once it's all over.

 

A lot of guys go busto, sure. But there aren't that many that go busto like Iverson went busto.

 

Oppo boppo?

 

Old story but very well written. A few days after the event in the Wells Fargo Center, he was seen blowing a wad at the black jack table at the Sugar House Casino. He's definitely not as broke as some would have you to believe.

 

The cheeesburgers must have been comped.

 

No cheeseburgers that night. Just not getting the right cards. A few times he was sitting on 20 only to have the dealer pull a four-card trick to beat him.

 

The NFLPA used to quote a stat -- don't know how they got it or if they still quote it -- that within two years of the end of their careers, 80 percent of players are divorced, bankrupt or unemployed, and a good number are two of the three or hit the trifecta.

I think it's very common. In addition to the long list at the end of "Broke" of athletes who have declared bankruptcy, I'd guess that tons are eking out a fairly meager existence by the time they are 40 and then beyond.

 

SI did a huge story a few years ago about millionaire athletes who lose it all: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1153364

A lot of them get mooched off of by friends and family and don't know how to say no, or they have a friend who isn't qualified be their money manager. Lots of children by lots of different women also makes the money disappear quickly. They also invest really poorly trying to become the next Magic Johnson or George Foreman.

 

Did anybody catch where Iverson is living? I missed that in the story, which was otherwise excellent.

 

In a van. Down by the river.