Merrill Wealth Management and IMG Academy recently announced a three-year partnership to offer more education and resources around financial awareness to student-athletes and their families. The program aims to provide actionable financial education to IMG Academy student-athletes that can help them throughout their student-athlete journey and in life.
A message from Gregory McGauley
“Athletes today are navigating an increasingly complex financial landscape and are expected to make decisions at an early age that can have a significant impact on their futures,” said Greg McGauley, Head of Merrill Private Wealth Management, International and Institutional Groups. “That is why this partnership with IMG Academy is so important and timely. It offers students and their parents the education and resources to help them make informed financial decisions now and in the future.”
Recognizing the growing need for financial advice and having long-served clients in the sports industry, Merrill increased its commitment three years ago through the introduction of a dedicated Sports & Entertainment group. These advisors are well-versed in the unique challenges that the sports industry presents, and work with their sports clients to address these challenges. With the IMG Academy partnership, Merrill advisors will provide specialized personal financial education to IMG Academy student-athletes and families through a curriculum that incorporates Bank of America’s free financial education resource, Better Money Habits, and covering such topics as:
- Basic of savings and spending,
- Introduction to credit,
- General Investing information from Merrill, and more.
IMG Academy’s intentional and unparalleled focus on holistic personal development sets it apart from any other education brand or institution in the world. It is the only prep school in the world with a dedicated staff of more than 100 specialists focused specifically on intentional personal development in the areas of leadership, mental performance, nutrition, communication, and sports science. IMG Academy across its boarding school and digital products, NCSA College Recruiting and IMG Academy+, helps place more than 30,000 student-athletes onto college athletic rosters annually.
IMG Academy based in Bradenton, Fla.
“Given the modern high school and collegiate student-athlete landscape, it is becoming increasingly important to develop financial literacy at a younger age,” said Brent Richard, CEO of IMG Academy. “Establishing a partnership that provides our student-athletes and their families financial resources and knowledge is another significant addition to our holistic education curriculum, and only further increases the value of an IMG Academy education.”
The financial education program will be offered to students and their families attending IMG Academy’s onsite boarding school in Bradenton, Fla., and through their online program, IMG Academy+. The curriculum will go into effect during the 2024/2025 academic year and will include educational sessions, campus-wide assemblies, self-study materials, and an opportunity for students and their families to meet with a Merrill advisor one-on-one.