The table shows how many NCAA players go on to have professional careers in sports such as basketball, football, baseball, and ice hockey. Professional options are exceedingly restricted, and the chances of a high school or even college athlete becoming a professional athlete are quite slim. However, some students do manage to make the leap directly from college to the NFL or NBA. There are only about 30 people who get paid to play sports at the college level, so if you're interested in turning your passion for sports into a career, think about what kind of player you want to be. You can always work with coaches to improve your skills, and many colleges will let you test out for different positions during recruiting season. The most popular way for athletes to earn a living is through advertising contracts. These days, more and more athletes are choosing to use their talents to promote brand names by signing with marketing companies that pay them to wear clothes or drink products. Some athletes find other ways to make money such as by taking jobs with amusement parks or team owners. But none of these options is guaranteed to provide much of a living for them or their families. In conclusion, the chances of becoming an athletic professional are fairly low but not impossible. You should consider whether or not you want to turn your love for sports into a career before jumping into anything serious.