Mortgages for sportspeople: why big earners still get turned down

Mortgages for sportspeople can be hard to secure even on six-figure salaries, with one expert telling Newspage that athletes “can be Premier League on the pitch and a non-starter on a lender’s computer".

Professional footballers, rugby players, cricketers and other athletes often have relatively short careers, fixed-term contracts and complex income structures.

Bonuses, appearance fees, sponsorship deals, image rights and payments made through limited companies can all create additional challenges when lenders assess affordability.

Mortgage and financial planning experts say understanding how lenders assess sporting income, identifying the right mortgage provider and planning for life after professional sport are key.

Can sportspeople get a mortgage?

Mortgages for sportspeople are available, but a salary alone won’t carry the application, according to experts.

Samuel Mather-Holgate, Managing Director and IFA at Swindon-based Mather and Murray Financial, commented: "You can be Premier League on the pitch and a non-starter on a lender’s computer. We specialise in mortgages for sportspeople because plenty of lenders simply will not entertain their circumstances, however impressive their earnings. 

“A short career and a package of salary, bonuses, appearance fees and image rights need careful presentation, not a hopeful application. There is no universal rule on what counts: evidence, consistency and time remaining on the contract matter. The right high street lender can work, but complex earnings may need specialist underwriting. Crucially, borrow against a credible plan for life after sport. The mortgage does not retire when you do.”

Mike Staton, Director at Mansfield-based Staton Mortgages, commented: "You can earn £100,000 a week playing football and still find yourself getting tackled by a mortgage underwriter! I’ve arranged numerous mortgages for professional sportspeople, and one question consistently comes up: what’s your employment plan after 35? Many athletes comfortably pass affordability checks based on their current earnings, but lenders are concerned about how sustainable that income will be once their playing career ends. 

"That golden age of 35 can become a real stumbling block, particularly when the mortgage term stretches well beyond retirement from professional sport. Lenders want to understand whether there’s a realistic second career, coaching opportunity, business income or other financial provision. You might be earning Premier League wages today, but lenders want to know whether you’ll still be paying Premier League-sized bills when you’re playing five-a-side on a Sunday! The final whistle doesn’t mean the mortgage disappears!"

How do lenders assess a sportsperson's income?

While having a basic salary is needed for a mortgage application, bonuses, appearance fees and image rights can be discounted or need years of evidence.

Stephen Perkins, Mortgage Broker and Managing Director at Norwich-based Yellow Brick Mortgages, commented: “A professional sportsperson can have a very strong income and still be awkward to place with the wrong lender. Basic salary may be straightforward, but bonuses, appearance fees, image-rights income or money paid through a company can all be treated differently. The other issue is contract length.

"A footballer earning a high salary on an 18-month deal may actually look less straightforward to some lenders than somebody earning far less in a permanent job. The high street can still work perfectly well for many sportspeople, particularly where income is simple and there is a good contract history. Specialist or private-bank lending becomes more relevant where income is complex, international or the contract is nearing its end. 

"The key is planning ahead, because a short sporting career means lenders also want confidence about what the income picture looks like beyond the next season.”

Ria Ali, Director at PMS Mortgages, commented: "We recently helped a professional footballer in the last two years of his contract who expected to retire at 32. Lenders weren't worried about the next two years, but about how he'd keep up repayments for the rest of the mortgage term. 

"We got it approved by showing a clear plan for life after football: a retirement plan, coaching qualifications under way and a coaching job lined up. Lenders are happy with a basic salary, but often count only part of bonuses and appearance fees, and image rights paid through a company need two or more years of accounts. 

"With 12 months or less left on a contract, borrowing can drop sharply, so apply straight after signing. Buy-to-let is usually much more straightforward: many lenders simply require a basic personal income, then assess the rent. My advice: plan your next career before you need it, apply while you're still playing, and use your high-earning years to build a big deposit."

Can you get a mortgage on a short-term sports contract?

For many sportspeople, the closer the contract’s end, the harder it gets for a mortgage approval. 

Nouran Moustafa, Practice Principal & IFA at Roxton Wealth, commented: “A footballer earning £200,000 annually can sometimes face more mortgage difficulties than an office worker earning £60,000. Why? Because lenders don't just assess how much you earn, but how reliably you'll continue earning it. Basic salaries are generally easier to assess. Bonuses, appearance fees and image rights can require additional evidence, while income paid through companies introduces further complexity.

"A player approaching the end of a contract can face particular difficulties, especially without a confirmed renewal. Young players, lower-league professionals and athletes earning overseas often face additional hurdles. Private banks and specialist lenders can help with complex income, but high-street lenders shouldn't automatically be dismissed. 

"My advice is to plan backwards from retirement, not forwards from your next contract. A sporting career might last 10 years. A mortgage could last 30. Your financial planning needs to survive long after the final whistle.”

Which sportspeople find it hardest to get a mortgage?

For many young sportspeople who are in the lower leagues, it is often harder to get a mortgage due to shorter contracts and insecurity around pay. 

David Stirling, Independent Financial Adviser at Belfast-based Mint Wealth, commented: “A professional footballer can earn more in a season than most people earn in a decade and still make a mortgage underwriter nervous. The problem isn't necessarily how much they earn, it's how long they'll earn it for. Short contracts, bonuses, appearance money and image rights don't fit neatly into the standard PAYE box, so lender selection is absolutely critical. 

"And the young lower-league player can actually be the trickier case: they have all the career uncertainty of elite sport without the Premier League-sized financial cushion. The golden rule is don't build a 25-year mortgage around a salary that could disappear at the end of next season.”

Andrew Montlake, CEO at London-based Coreco, commented: “Mortgage lending is a funny old game. We arrange mortgages for footballers, rugby players and cricketers, and a big salary does not always mean a straightforward mortgage. 

"Age matters too. Some lenders may only use a footballer’s playing income up to around age 35, depending on the contract, which can mean a shorter mortgage term. The weekly wage is the easy bit, but adding on bonuses, appearance money, overseas earnings or image rights can shrink the list of willing lenders. 

"The high street lenders may still be fine for some, but it has to be presented correctly, whilst a private bank is a definite option, but is not better simply because the payslip has more zeroes. 

"Plan for life after playing. If the mortgage runs beyond the sporting career, lenders may well want to see how payments will be supported, perhaps through coaching, management, media work or another career. A credible plan can make all the difference, so start the conversation while the contract and income are strong.”

Private bank or high street: which suits a high-earning athlete? 

One expert said choosing between a private bank and a high-street lender is often based on how complicated the income is, not how big it is.

Gaurav Shukla, CEO at Marlow-based Home Me Mortgages, commented: "Professional sportspeople can earn significant salaries but still struggle to get a mortgage. Lenders look beyond headline earnings, assessing basic salary, contract length, bonuses and how income is structured. Image rights, company income and overseas earnings can make things more complicated. 

"A short contract can also be a hurdle. A player might earn well today but have no guarantee of the same income next season. Younger players and those in lower leagues can face particular challenges. 

"High street lenders can work well for athletes with straightforward finances, while specialist lenders or private banks may be more suitable for complex income structures. The biggest advice is to plan ahead. Sporting careers are relatively short, so building savings, managing spending and establishing income beyond sport is vital. Mortgage planning should happen while earnings are strong, not when retirement is approaching. The aim is to turn short-term earning potential into long-term security.”

What happens to your mortgage when you retire from sport?

Mortgages for sportspeople often outlast the playing career, so lenders want a plan for afterwards, and some players overpay to clear it early, according to one expert.

Mike Powell, Director at Caldicot-based Mike Powell Mortgages, commented: "As an ex-professional rugby player of 18 years, now with my own mortgage brokerage, I have seen both sides of the fence. I'm fortunate to have a large proportion of my clients who are professional and semi-professional athletes. Lenders will want to know what the plan is after the career ends. Especially if wanting a term past the age of 35 when some sports careers will end. Fortunately the players' unions are a lot hotter on life after sport than in my day. 

“Applicants can look to maximise their borrowing by using all the different incomes that they receive from win bonus, image rights, sponsorship deals or international honours payments. It’s often wise however to keep the term reduced or use a lender with a large overpayment facility. This can clear the mortgage while still playing.”

Mortgages for sportspeople: your questions answered

Your questions answered bt Samuel Mather-Holgate, Managing Director and IFA at Swindon-based Mather and Murray Financial.

1. Can I get a mortgage if my contract has less than a year left to run?

Yes, potentially. Having less than a year left on your contract doesn’t automatically rule you out, but it does make choosing the right lender more important. Some want at least 12 months remaining; others will look at your circumstances individually. Your track record, previous renewals, deposit and other income can all help. A signed contract extension carries far more weight than a promise that something is coming.

2. Will lenders count my bonuses, appearance fees and image rights?

They can, but the figure on your mortgage application may look different from your total earnings. A guaranteed salary is one thing; bonuses and appearance fees that depend on selection or results are another. Lenders may average those payments, count only part of them or leave them out altogether. Image rights can add another layer, especially when payments go through a company. That’s where a specialist adviser can help explain how your income works.

3. How long a mortgage term can I get if my playing career is likely to end in my thirties?

Hanging up your boots in your thirties doesn’t automatically mean your mortgage has to finish then too. The real question is how you’ll pay it afterwards. Some lenders may want the balance cleared before your playing career ends. Others may consider a longer term where there’s credible evidence of sustainable income beyond sport. That might come from an established business, investments or another job. Saying you fancy going into punditry won’t be enough on its own.

4. I’m paid by an overseas club. Can I still get a mortgage in the UK?

Yes, potentially. Playing for an overseas club doesn’t automatically stop you buying in the UK, but it can narrow your choice of lenders. They’ll want to know where you live, where your club is based, which currency you’re paid in and how you’ll use the property. Some accept overseas income; others have restrictions. Exchange rates matter too: a lender may reduce the income it counts to allow for currency movements.

5. What should I do before I retire from sport to make sure I can still borrow?

Don’t leave it until your final season. Start by looking at what you owe, when your mortgage deal ends and what you’ll earn once the playing income stops. Build a cash buffer, keep other debts under control and get your paperwork organised. If coaching, business or another job is next, start building evidence of that income early. Speak openly with your adviser about when you expect to retire. Taking out a mortgage while you’re still playing doesn’t make that future change disappear.