My Journey in Redefining Athlete Support - Founder Bryce France
My name is Bryce France, CEO and Founder of The Offseason Company.
I wanted to take this opportunity to introduce myself to those curious about who is behind the scenes and the reasons driving our mission. A little bit about my background: I’ve worked in media for the past seven years, covering various aspects of the sports market. I’ve worked with teams, brands, and individual players. Growing up as a hardcore Patriots fan, football was a bonding ritual shared with my dad. I played sports throughout high school and participated in intramural sports and community leagues from college onward—quite impressive, I know.
So why focus on athletes and their well-being?
It’s a combination of my experiences within the sports community and personal growth.
It probably started back in 2018 for me. Until then, I was a superstitious, scream-at-the-top-of-my-lungs kind of fan when watching the Patriots play. That year, I embedded myself more deeply in sports and got some incredible opportunities as a working photographer. I was introduced to Katie Levitre, who needed help creating photo content for her mommy blog. Katie is the wife of now-retired Falcons guard, Andy Levitre. They had a beautiful family, and I was honored to document their life for Katie’s blog.
Fast forward a few months. As a dedicated Patriots fan, I thought it would be funny to share the infamous Super Bowl score with Katie as a harmless joke. That moment changed everything for me. Katie kindly informed me that my joke wasn’t funny and explained how difficult that day had been for her and her family as she watched Andy’s childhood dreams fall apart. She graciously asked me not to bring it up again, and we continued working together for a few more months until they moved.
From that moment on, I haven’t looked back at the fan I once was. It humbled me deeply, and I’m grateful Katie checked me as she did. For those wondering, “Why would you think that was okay?”—take a good look at yourself if you don’t work in sports. I thought I was a good person with no ill will, simply making a joke with someone I knew and trusted. But we forget that athletes are people. This is a job for most of them, and while they have the potential to make a lot of money, it’s their families’ livelihoods at stake. I began to see athletes in a whole new light: as human beings.
From then on, I approached every situation with pro athletes by treating them as I would like to be treated. Unfortunately, at live events, I would hear fans yelling disgusting and ugly things at these athletes. To some fans, these athletes “deserved it” all because they were paid [well] for entertainment. But these athletes go through a lot to reach those points, often making significant sacrifices that leave them struggling with life after their career’s end. Many, and I mean a lot, deal with depression. It doesn’t matter if they made millions, won championships, or had seemingly everything anyone could ask for—they are still people who need purpose in life.
In researching for Offseason, I’ve found many similarities with military service members. Both groups loved the purpose and camaraderie their careers provided. However, while the military offers the option to reenlist, athletes don’t have the same opportunity. Once they’re cut from a team, it’s usually over.
Purpose is instilled in us at a young age by our parents and community. Think of the athletes you knew in middle and high school who showed promise. We envied the attention and admiration they received. But we weren’t aware that these kids were being given an unrealistic level of value and purpose, which is fine until they’re no longer useful to those individuals. While those athletes sacrificed their lives for their careers, we pursued interests and exciting careers on our own.
We can’t expect athletes from ages 14-25 to understand the importance of these things until it’s too late.
One of the most striking statistics I came across was the number of athletes who thought they would go pro in high school. One study from the NCAA found that 59% of high school basketball and football athletes believe they’ll go pro. What ends up happening?
Basketball: 0.03% make it.
Football: 0.09% make it.
These numbers are staggering and highlight the unrealistic expectations many young athletes have. It’s a sobering reality that the vast majority will not achieve their dreams (or others’ dreams) of becoming professional athletes. This stark contrast between expectations and reality often leads to disappointment and a lack of direction once their athletic careers ends.
At The Offseason Company, we aim to address this issue by providing athletes with the resources and support they need to navigate their lives beyond sports. We focus on fitness education, mental well-being, and career building to help athletes find purpose and fulfillment outside of their athletic achievements. Our goal is to prepare them for success in every aspect of their lives, recognizing their multifaceted potential and contributions to society.
Through our partnerships with colleges and the utilization of research on athlete career transitions, we are committed to making a positive impact on the lives of athletes. We believe that by treating athletes as whole individuals and offering comprehensive support, we can help them thrive in their post-sport careers. This is why The Offseason Company exists—to empower athletes and ensure they have the tools they need to succeed both on and off the field.
To bring it home, my journey from being a fan to founding The Offseason Company has been transformative. It has taught me the importance of empathy and understanding the *human* side of athletes. I’m passionate about making a difference in their lives and helping them achieve their full potential. Thank you for taking the time to learn more about my story and the mission of The Offseason Company. Together, we can create a better future for athletes everywhere.
