This paper tests the thesis that professional career in sport serves as a route for mobility. A study of retired soccer players in Israel suggests that, on the average, players benefited occupationally from their careers in sport. Sport career variables however, do not influence occupational mobility of the retired athletes. The only variables that affect athletes' occupational mobility are education and ethnicity. Occupational gain-mobility tends to increase with ethnic status but to decrease with education. The findings are discussed in light of the concept of alternative channels of mobility. Caution should be exercised regarding the thesis "sport as an open route for mobility".
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