Like other forms of abuse, economic abuse is about one person using their position of power or privilege to gain power and control over another. Economic abuse can make it difficult to leave an abusive situation. Doing so can leave someone economically vulnerable, removing current or future financial opportunities.

Economic abuse in sports can look different, as it is centered on the coach-athlete relationship. A coach could be any athletic staff member or even an organisation.

Economic abuse occurs when a coach restricts, exploits, or sabotages an athlete’s ability to acquire, use or maintain economic resources.

Economic Restriction

is an athletic staff member limiting or restricting access to health care or treatment

is an athletic staff member limiting or restricting access to health care or treatment

when a athletic staff members restricts access to financial opportunities

Economic Exploitation

when an athletic staff member buys equipment, educational tools that can only be used when the player-coach relationship is maintained

when an athletic staff member makes an athlete perform tasks which have a financial cost which the athlete has no option to do to preserve their position

when an athletic staff member forces and athlete to pay in order for them to treat them better

Economic Sabotage

when an athlete staff member continuously threats to take an athlete’s athletic scholarship

when an athletic member of staff refuses to give you something you are entitled to, and not having it can affect the athlete’s future

when an athletic member of staff threatens to harm an athlete’s current or potential relationships with sponsors