Entrepreneurship and career transition of elite athletes: the role of universities in supporting dual careers and successful post-sport integration

Introduction: The transition to a professional career following the end of an elite sporting career represents a major challenge for high-level athletes, with significant implications for their long-term well-being and sustainable professional integration. Although dual-career policies have been developed to facilitate the combination of sport and education, entrepreneurship remains a relatively underexplored pathway for post-sport career transition. This study examines the entrepreneurial dispositions of elite athletes and explores the institutional mechanisms that may facilitate their transition into entrepreneurship. Methods: A qualitative research design was adopted based on semi-structured interviews conducted with 61 elite athletes from different sporting disciplines. The interviews explored participants' perceptions of career transition, entrepreneurial intentions, perceived barriers, and support needs. The data were analysed using thematic analysis. Results: Most participants had reflected on their professional transition after sport, although only a minority had taken concrete entrepreneurial steps. Athletes identified several transferable skills acquired through elite sport, including resilience, discipline, and goal orientation, but also reported significant barriers such as limited entrepreneurial knowledge, restricted professional networks, and financial constraints. The main support needs identified included entrepreneurship training, access to professional internships, financial support, mentoring, and networking opportunities. Discussion: The findings highlight the strategic role that universities and university sports organizations can play in fostering entrepreneurial ecosystems that support athletes' dual careers and facilitate sustainable post-sport integration. Based on these findings, the study proposes a conceptual model of entrepreneurial transition designed to strengthen dual-career policies within French universities and encourage entrepreneurship as a viable post-sport career pathway.