Research on the Career Transformation Path of Retired Athletes under the “Gig Economy” Model

In order to promote the employment of retired athletes and do a good job in their resettlement, in the context of the booming “gig economy”, this paper explores the value, dilemma and path of retired athletes’ career transformation with the help of literature and logical analysis. The study found that the career transformation of retired athletes under the gig economy model has high social, economic and cultural value, but they still face the following difficulties in the process of career transformation: (1) employment fluctuations and skill shortcomings; (2) lack of security and relationship disembedding; (3) power imbalance and weakening of rights and interests; (4) development blockage and social disconnection. In response to the above difficulties, the following solutions are proposed: (1) collaborative mechanism and diversified empowerment; (2) collaborative governance and institutional guarantee; (3) building a systematic empowerment mechanism; (4) multi-dimensional ability and psychological adjustment, in order to help retired athletes complete career transformation faster and better and provide reference for realizing self-worth.