Bradley Wiggins (financially as opposed to physically)

[mik]

How TF does this kinda thing happen?

https://www.lbc.co.uk/news/olympic-cycl ... wyer-says/

[ZedLeg]

Should’ve paid his taxes.

[duncs500]

How TF does this kinda thing happen?

https://www.lbc.co.uk/news/olympic-cycl ... wyer-says/

Probably because being a great athlete doesn't guarantee that you're a great business person, but fame makes you a target for people who say they're gonna make you rich (who may also not be great business people).

[mik]

Probably because being a great athlete doesn't guarantee that you're a great business person, but fame makes you a target for people who say they're gonna make you rich (who may also not be great business people).

Yeah I posted this without really reading much - was just a bit surprised. A bit more info in this one from the cycling press. Used his not-insignificant money to start a business. Makes more sense now.

[Sundayjumper]

That’s really tragic.

I’m noting that ex-wife & mum were co-owners but they’re (by the sounds of it) not bankrupt.

[Gavster]

"It happens a lot to sportspeople while they're doing the grafting"

It's easy to make a lot of cash when you're the world's no.1 cyclist, but that income quickly disappears as you become irrelevant five years after retirement. Meanwhile, the agents, managers etc who built that income still need paying, even if the businesses leveraging your name are flopping. I'd probably end up in exactly the same position

[Rich B]

Yeah, I expect there's an element of "all my endeavours just seem to work!!!" (Whilst you have the name and status associated with being a top level international sportsperson constantly in the media).