04/06/2026
Sports Star Protection – Is This Sector Really For You?
Premier League footballers, World Cup stars, Olympic athletes, NHL players..
Between club wages, sponsorship deals, endorsements, and investment portfolios worth hundreds of millions, even billions.
The question is: Is sports star protection the sector for you?
My name is Criss Watts, and I remember the days of SMG Sports Management Group in London, working around people like Gary Lineker and some of the biggest names in football. Security was low-key back then, but the professionals involved were among the very best in the business.
Today, things have changed beyond recognition. (not for the worst)
One of my last major football clients was Riyad Mahrez during his journey through Leicester City and beyond before his move to Saudi Arabia. Working with elite athletes since the 1990s taught me that protecting sports stars is unlike any other area of Close Protection.
Most top-level footballers become stars between the ages of 19 and 21. They may remain at the top of the game for the next decade, earning extraordinary amounts of money.
As their Protection Officer, you become more than security.
You are the confidant, chaperone, problem solver, driver, daily decision maker, trusted adviser, father figure, older brother, Godparent, counsellor, and even the best friend to their pet.
You may find yourself arranging travel in the morning, dealing with family issues at lunchtime, advising on personal security in the afternoon, and helping them navigate life decisions in the evening. The list never ends.
This sector is unforgiving for those who rely solely on qualifications. An SIA licence and a handful of courses each year won't cut the mustard.
Real-life knowledge cannot be taught in a classroom.
It can only be learned through experience.
I was fortunate in becoming a father at 16 and raising six children and now enjoying 13 grandchildren, this taught me more about people, responsibility, patience, and problem-solving than any training course ever could.
In this profession, you have to understand your clients family completely.
If they play golf, you learn golf.
If they love gaming, you understand gaming.
If they develop a new hobby, you learn that too.
Play what they play. Understand what they understand. Connect with their world.
Adapt or lose your position.
One minute you might be operating in South America, Africa, or the Middle East dealing with real-world security challenges. The next, you're playing "Call of Duty" with your client after returning from a real call of duty. For most people, that contrast is surreal.
Now at 61 years old I have used every one of those years to develop my skills, refine my knowledge, and polish the abilities that allow me to remain at the top of my profession.
The truth is that the skills needed to become a true professional in Close Protection go far beyond licences and certificates.
Experience. Judgement. Adaptability. Emotional intelligence. Life knowledge.
