Would you rather be a top PM at a top HF (Viking/Coatue/D1) or an average NBA player think (Norman Powell/ Trae young/ Jalen Brunson)

This is a pretty tough choice but I’ll probably go with being a top PM 

Let me know what you guys think

 

If motivated by comp, maybe NBA is the better route. But how much does a PM at one of those places make (not comparable to NBA, right??)? But, if you have a true passion for investing, there's probably no better seat to have than a PM @ Viking/Coatue/D1. The latter applies to me, so I'd go with PM. Norman averages ~ $10mm a year, Trae Young ~$6mm but probably way higher w/ endorsements + will be way higher in future, Jalen ~$2-3mm. 

Viking/Coatue/D1 all run super lean and have massive AUM. Probably $500mm per head, if not higher. Analyst at one of those funds probably clips $1-2mm a year, senior analyst/PM probably clips $2-5mm+. So unless I'm missing something, seems comparable in terms of comp. NBA is an incredibly rewarding career, and sounds fun and all, but it's hard work and it's not as glamorous as it seems. Being an analyst @ Viking/Coatue is extremely stressful + high turnover, can't say the same about D1. But please don't get ahead of yourself, it is extremely difficult to land a seat at one of these shops, let alone keep it...

 

I don't have any data on comp @ TGM, does anyone? Crossover strategy. Long tech short retail on public side, and then basically buy into every single fast growing startup in the world on the private side. Seem's to be working...for now. But Chase & Scott are bright folks, should figure out ways to stay ahead in the years to come. Lot's of info on them online, but idk anything about comp there. 

 

Oh lol, I thought those seats were always sought after bc they pay so much and it's rewarding work. In a year like 2020, I feel like a lot of the big tiger cubs crushed it, wouldn't an analyst there make $1-2mm in a good year like 2020? I was alluding to "good year", not average. Would appreciate your insights. 

 

Being an athlete would be brutal. Even if you earn a ton, I think the psychological fate would be pretty tough to deal with.

You peak in your 20s/30s which is when most other people just start getting going. Imagine living your life knowing that your best years are likely behind you—that’s the life of an ex athlete. Also, if you were a serious athlete you need to take immense pride in your ability. However, time eventually catches up to everyone, so each day you might get a step slower, or jump a little less high, and gradually you realize you can’t do the things you used to do and you no longer are a good player. Also, you have injury risk. Imagine if everyday in finance there was a 5% chance your brain just stops working and you could no longer get paid doing that job. 
 

Being an athlete sounds amazing in your 20s and early 30s, but then you have the rest of your life where you’d need to find a second career that gives you fulfillment. If you are really smart and good, you could change your career like Shaq or Charles Barkley and go into the media and more, but that’s not the norm and you’d need both an amazing athletic history and a great personality, which isn’t exactly the average player. Overall, sure you might build a huge nest egg, but you’d have to deal with injury risk and having the way you made your money become completely not useable post 35ish. I think peaking that early would be a brutal fate.

 

Being an athlete would be brutal. Even if you earn a ton, I think the psychological fate would be pretty tough to deal with.

You peak in your 20s/30s which is when most other people just start getting going. Imagine living your life knowing that your best years are likely behind you-that's the life of an ex athlete. Also, if you were a serious athlete you need to take immense pride in your ability. However, time eventually catches up to everyone, so each day you might get a step slower, or jump a little less high, and gradually you realize you can't do the things you used to do and you no longer are a good player. Also, you have injury risk. Imagine if everyday in finance there was a 5% chance your brain just stops working and you could no longer get paid doing that job. 
 

Being an athlete sounds amazing in your 20s and early 30s, but then you have the rest of your life where you'd need to find a second career that gives you fulfillment. If you are really smart and good, you could change your career like Shaq or Charles Barkley and go into the media and more, but that's not the norm and you'd need both an amazing athletic history and a great personality, which isn't exactly the average player. Overall, sure you might build a huge nest egg, but you'd have to deal with injury risk and having the way you made your money become completely not useable post 35ish. I think peaking that early would be a brutal fate.

Easy to switch if you got interest.
I'll be that (average) NBA Player, $5M/year for 10 years, build up tens of millions net worth when I'm 35.
Easy to switch to tons of rewarding interests - poker, music, write a book, start a bar. Easy to occupy my time

 

You'd be surprised - I played a shitton of soccer growing up (nearly 17 years of it) and would be down to play it professionally. Although maybe not 100% - I'd be 100% in if it weren't for all the fucking diving.

MLS (and to a lesser extent, Major league rugby) are both up-and-coming leagues that I expect will see a ton of growth over the next few decades in the US

 

Would have to be out of your mind not to pick NBA player, IMO.  Unless you have a phobia of crowds, don't see any reason to pick PM

I come from down in the valley, where mister when you're young, they bring you up to do like your daddy done
 

I'd want to be a PM so I wouldn't run the risk of being traded to San Antonio and seeing Gregg (what kind of asshole spells it with 2 g's) again

I’m a fun guy. Obviously I love the game of basketball. I mean there’s more questions you have to ask me in order for me to tell you about myself. I'm not just gonna give you a whole spill... I mean, I don't even know where you're sitting at
 

True. Mistakes like that are why I work for the Clippers instead of a hedge fund :(

I’m a fun guy. Obviously I love the game of basketball. I mean there’s more questions you have to ask me in order for me to tell you about myself. I'm not just gonna give you a whole spill... I mean, I don't even know where you're sitting at
 

The difference is the love of the game. If I were a huge basketball fan then I'd love to be in the NBA. I love motorsport so if I could drive for lamborghini (I actually know a young driver for them) I would go for it for any comp. These guys would play basketball in their free time and I would go to track days any chance I have, but very few people do M&A for fun haha.

 
[Comment removed by mod team]
 

A better comparison would be this. Would you rather be a top PM at a HF or a guy who plays 5-7 minutes a night (4th line) for the New York Rangers making the NHL league minimum of 700k. On the one hand you're famous (a pro athlete) and in great shape (you work out all day) and have status/fame to attract women but on 700k in NYC after taxes and agent fees you are not really killing it. The NBA player comparison makes no sense to me as even the no-name guys sitting on the bench are making big bucks.  

 

I mean NBA player is the answer here.  Be average for 10 years and make >$50mm.  

Portfolio Manager?  Be great for 10 years and you're not making that (unless you're an owner of the GP but that's completely different).  And there's no offseason.  And way less girls.  And way more stress.  

Oh and you're a NBA player in your 20s/early 30s.  You're a top PM in your 40s and 50s.  So make your NBA money then you have the rest of your life starting mid 30s.  PM is an old fart by the time they make their money (and less of it).

 

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