For professional athletes, the biggest financial threats don’t come from bad investments or market crashes, they come from the people closest to them. Family members, childhood friends, and trusted advisors can quickly turn into financial predators, through manipulation, deception, and outright theft. Too often, athletes don’t realize what’s happening until it’s too late.
At Intellex Forensics, we specialize in financial fraud investigation for athletes, helping them and their support teams uncover and prevent sports financial scams, mismanagement, and protecting Athletes from Financial Exploitation, so they can win on and off the field.
Playing Defense: Protecting Wealth Like You Protect the Game
We all trust our inner circles. For athletes, it’s their coaches, mentors, friends, and family members who have been with them from the start. But this same loyalty can be weaponized. Just as athletes study game film to anticipate an opponent’s moves, they must be equally vigilant when it comes to financial security.
Common ways athletes lose money due to fraud include:
- Unqualified family members acting as financial managers
- Secret withdrawals and unauthorized transactions
- Pressure to fund lavish lifestyles or doomed business ventures
- Financial advisors charging excessive fees or mismanaging funds
- Being convinced to sign contracts without proper legal review
By the time an athlete notices something is wrong, they could be millions in debt, facing lawsuits, or struggling to maintain their lifestyle after retirement.
A Trusted Teammate for Financials
Intellex Forensics works with athletes, uncovering financial misconduct and helping athletes regain control of their wealth. Our team investigates suspicious activity, audits financial records, and provides strategic solutions to prevent further losses.
NFL veteran Toby Gerhart, who understands the financial challenges of professional athletes firsthand, plays a key role in our mission. As a Stanford MBA graduate and former pro athlete, he helps athletes build smart financial strategies, assess risk, and establish strong defenses against sports financial fraud.
Financial Red Flags Athletes Should Watch For:
If you’re a professional athlete or part of their trusted team, watch for these warning signs:
- Unexplained financial losses or missing funds
- A family member or friend insisting on full control over finances
- Feeling pressured to make financial decisions quickly
- A reluctance to let outside professionals review financial documents
- Excuses or vague answers when asking about money management
Making the Right Call: Proactive Financial Defense
Intellex Forensics co-founder Cory Svihla has seen firsthand how the financial exploitation of athletes can destroy careers. As a former college and professional athlete, he now works to ensure that today’s athletes don’t fall victim to the same traps.
Just as a coach prepares players for what’s ahead, Intellex Forensics equips athletes with financial protection strategies and tools needed to win financially, long after their playing days are over.
Don’t wait until it’s too late. If you or someone you know is concerned about financial fraud in sports, visit Intellex Forensics Athlete Services to learn how we can help.