Real‑World Hustle: Soccer Star’s Side Gig Gets Fans Talking

"Tomasz Skublak, a 28‑year‑old striker for Inter Toronto in Canada’s top soccer league, made headlines after a goal by showing off a business card for his real‑estate side job. The moment, captured on camera and shared online, sparked a conversation about how many professional athletes balance sports with other careers. In Canada’s Premier League, where a new offside rule is being tried out, Skublak scored in a 4‑1 win over Atlético Ottawa. Instead of the usual celebration, he rushed to the camera, pulled a card from his pocket and gave a quick “call me” gesture. Fans loved the unexpected marketing stunt, and it quickly went viral. The player says he wears two hats: full‑time footballer and full‑time realtor. He grew up near Toronto, started his real‑estate career three years ago, and now works there full time while playing in the country’s top division. He explained that the league’s schedule is more demanding, so he has to manage both roles carefully.

Many professional athletes have had to juggle extra work in the past. In Major League Soccer’s early days, players often took on side jobs because salaries were low. For example, a former D. C. United goalie also processed mortgages while playing for the team. Today’s leagues, like MLS and the CPL, have higher minimum salaries, but some players still keep secondary jobs to support themselves or plan for life after sports. The CPL’s pay structure is transparent: a team salary cap of about CAD 1. 2 million and a minimum player wage of CAD 30, 000. While the league is growing and aims to match MLS’s financial standards, many players still find it useful to diversify their income streams. Skublak’s viral card moment highlights that reality and shows fans a different side of professional athletes.

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