To take part in special Malta event in June
The journey of a professional athlete is often as short as it is intense.
While the world celebrates victories and records, little attention is paid to what comes next. Retirement can come early, and when it does, many athletes face a daunting question – What now?
In an ambitious new joint venture between The Embassy Sport Premium and GIOYA Higher Education Institution, an internationally accredited institution recognised by Malta Further Higher Education Authority, a fresh model is being introduced to support athletes in career transition.
To better understand the vision behind this initiative, we sat down with José Calderón, former NBA player, co-founder of The Embassy in Malaga, and member of the Academic Senate of GIOYA HEI.
Calderon enjoyed a distinguished basketball career which saw him help Spain to three Olympic medals as well as a long career playing in the NBA, donning the colours of Toronto Raptors, Detroit Pistons, Los Angeles Lakers, Cleveland Cavaliers and the Dallas Mavericks among others.
Asked what made him focus on life after sport following such a distinguished career, Calderón said: “I feel lucky to have played 14 seasons in the NBA and to have represented Spain internationally. But I also saw many teammates struggle once their careers ended.
“There’s this identity crisis – who am I without the game? I started preparing for my transition early, around my early 30s.
“I studied, networked, and got involved in business and philanthropy. That helped me land in good places after retirement. But many athletes don’t get that chance or don’t know where to start.”
Calderón said that the start of the collaboration between The Embassy and GIOYA HEI was very ‘organic’.
“At The Embassy, we’re committed to holistic support for elite athletes and professionals in the sector – not just performance but education, mental well-being, and career development. GIOYA shares that vision.
“They are a recognised global higher education institution in Malta with a deep commitment to social responsibility, leadership and innovation, and development.
“Together, we realized we could create something unique: a tailored educational and professional development pathway for current and former athletes and sport professionals. That’s how the joint venture was born.”
Calderón said that this joint venture is offering executive programmes and accredited courses, and even customized executive pathways – whether an athlete wants to work in sports management, entrepreneurship, diplomacy, or education.
“Through GIOYA, they’ll have access to recognized qualifications converting up to 50% of their professional and learning experiences into European Academic Credits,” he said.
“We also offer personal mentorship and strategic planning for life beyond the field. It’s not just about studying – it’s about building identity, confidence, and purpose.”
Calderón said that he was delighted to be part of GIOYA’s Academic Senate.
“It’s more than a title – it means I contribute to shaping the institution’s strategic direction, particularly on areas like athlete education, global leadership, and personal development. It complements my work at The Embassy perfectly.
“We’re bridging sport and education at the highest level.”
During the interview, Calderón gave a first-hand experience of how he felt when his career came to an end.
“I remember after my last NBA game I felt peace, but also this big silence,” he said.
“For years, everything had been structured: training, games, travel. Suddenly, there was no schedule. I was fortunate to have started preparing early.
“I had invested in business, built my non-profit work, and had family support. But even then, it was tough emotionally. I realised: if I, with all this preparation, felt that way what about others who aren’t as ready? That moved me to act.”
Calderón said that they created this bridge between Malta and Malaga because both were strategically attractive destinations.
“Malta gives us international academic credibility through GIOYA’s flexible approach, along with strong global networks,” Calderón said
“Málaga, on the other hand, offers an inspiring living environment and an emerging innovation ecosystem. It’s a cultural, academic, and human bridge, and we believe this dual base makes our model unique in Europe.
Clear message
Calderón had a clear message to athletes who are still active but not thinking about life after their sport yet.
“Start early,” he said.
“Don’t wait until retirement to prepare for the next chapter. Even dedicating a few hours a week to learning, networking, or exploring new passions can make a huge difference.
“And don’t be afraid to ask for help. That’s what we’re here for. You’re more than an athlete – your next victory might be in business, education, or community leadership.”
As José Calderón shows, the end of a sports career is not the end of the story – it’s a transition to a new game. With the partnership between The Embassy Sport Premium and GIOYA HEI, Malaga AND Malta may soon become a European beacon for empowering athletes to thrive far beyond the court.
To mark this new chapter, a special reception will be held on June 13 in Malta, organized by GIOYA HEI.
The event will feature the presence of not only Jose Calderón but also Bernie Rodríguez, world basketball champion and partner in the initiative, as well as Manolo Escobar, CEO of The Embassy.
During the evening event, guests will be given exclusive insights into the programmes and upcoming opportunities offered through this international collaboration.
