A new twist on the credo of “People are our most important assets.”

News emerged last week that soccer superstar Wayne Rooney lost £500,000 in a two and a half hour blackjack spree. Never fear. The England captain’s offspring won’t go hungry – that £4,000 a minute loss is identical to what Rooney earns on the pitch for Manchester United.

At the other end, the European rugby Champions Saffer-heavy Saracens invests heavily in helping its players become rounded human beings. It encourages them to improve outside the athletic arena, including pushing them towards entrepreneurship.

Saracens captain, 30 year old Durban-ite Brad Barritt, owns a successful coffee company started after completing his MSc in business management. American-born wing Chris Wyles created Wolfpack lager, sold in 50 London pubs. Lock Jim Hamilton owns restaurants; fullback Alex Goode has a leadership training company and flyhalf Owen Farrell is about to finish a business degree.

Professionalism in sport has delivered contrasting outcomes. But just like in the broader business world, few who proclaim “people are our greatest assets” authentically apply the credo.

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