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What Long-Term Investors Can Learn from the Super Bowl – Strategy, Risk, and Playing the Long Game
Jacob Falkencrone
Global Head of Investment Strategy
The dust has settled on Super Bowl LIX, and whether you were cheering for the Philadelphia Eagles’ dominant 40-22 victory or lamenting the Kansas City Chiefs’ missed opportunities, one thing was clear: this wasn’t just about talent—it was about strategy, resilience, and execution under pressure.
And if you think about it, those are the exact same qualities that separate successful investors from those who fumble their financial future. Just like in football, investing isn’t about one big play – it’s a long, strategic game where risk management, discipline, and adaptability determine the outcome. So, whether you were glued to the game, just there for the commercials, hyped for Kendrick Lamar’s halftime show, or hoping to catch a glimpse of Taylor Swift or even Donald Trump, here are the key investing lessons you might have missed.
You Need a Plan – But Be Ready to Adjust It
No team walks into the Super Bowl without a meticulously crafted strategy. Coaches spend weeks studying opponents, analysing plays, and preparing for different scenarios. But once the game starts, reality often forces adjustments – injuries happen, defenses tighten, and unexpected plays can change momentum.The same applies to investing. You need a clear financial plan based on your risk tolerance, goals, and time horizon. But markets, like football games, are unpredictable. Recessions hit, interest rates rise, tariffs are implemented (and sometimes cancelled at the last minute) and sudden market shocks can throw even the best-laid plans into chaos. Therefore, it’s always wise to have a solid investment strategy, but remain flexible. Markets change, and the best investors adjust without panicking.
The Game is Won in Inches – Not Hail Marys
Championship teams don’t rely on one or two big plays. They grind out small, consistent gains, moving the ball downfield methodically. It’s the same in investing. While meme stocks and speculative bets might seem tempting, building wealth is about steady progress, not lottery-ticket plays.Long-term investors who steadily accumulate wealth through disciplined investing – rather than chasing overnight riches – tend to come out ahead. So don’t swing for the fences. Focus on steady, long-term gains through disciplined investing and compounding returns.
"A successful football team doesn’t rely on one star player—just like a winning portfolio isn’t built on a single stock. Diversification ensures you have the right players for every market condition."
Diversification: A Winning Team Needs Specialists, and More Than One Star Player
A football team isn’t just made up of quarterbacks and star receivers. You have linemen protecting the QB, defensive backs intercepting passes, and kickers stepping up in clutch moments. Each player has a role, and even though some only contribute in key moments (like a kicker attempting a game-winning field goal), they’re crucial to overall success. Likewise, a successful football team doesn’t rely solely on one star player. They distribute the ball among various players to keep the defense guessing and reduce the risk of being shut down. A team that only depends on one player – no matter how talented – can be easily neutralised by a strong defensive strategy.Your investment portfolio works the same way. Some assets will be your star performers in a bull market (like growth stocks), while others – like bonds or defensive sectors – step up when things get tough. You might not need your kicker in every play, but when the game is on the line, you’ll be glad you have one. Therefore, diversification is key, and by spreading your investment portfolio across different asset classes and sectors, risks can be mitigated and returns stabilised over time.
Defence Wins Championships – And Protecting Your Portfolio Matters
They say “offense wins games, but defence wins championships.” Even if you have the best offense in the league, if your defence is weak, you won’t win the big games. In investing, it’s not just about making money – it’s also about managing risk. Just like championship teams focus on preventing costly turnovers, smart investors focus on protecting their portfolio from catastrophic losses. That means diversification, stop-loss strategies, and understanding risk exposure. So don't just focus on returns – risk management is just as important. Protecting your portfolio during downturns ensures you stay in the game.
Keep Your Emotions in Check – Play the Long Game
The Super Bowl is filled with high-pressure moments. The best players stay calm and execute, while others let the moment overwhelm them, leading to costly mistakes.
Investors face similar challenges. When markets crash, panic selling locks in losses. When stocks skyrocket, FOMO leads to reckless buying. The best investors, like the best athletes, trust their process and don’t let emotions dictate their decisions. Markets will test your patience, but success comes from sticking to your strategy through volatility. So stay disciplined and unemotional.
Learn from Setbacks – Even Champions Lose Games
Even the greatest Super Bowl teams have bad games, fumbles, and missed opportunities. What separates them is how they respond – they review game film, analyse their mistakes, and come back stronger. Investors can do the same. You will most likely make mistakes along the way – picking the wrong stock, buying too high, or selling too soon. What matters is learning from those mistakes and refining your strategy over time. So, review your decisions, learn from your mistakes, and keep improving."Winning a Super Bowl isn’t about one perfect play—it’s about an entire season of preparation, execution, and resilience. Investing is no different. The best investors focus on the long game, manage risks, and stay disciplined.”
Final Whistle: Play Smart, Think Long Term, and Stay in the Game
Winning a Super Bowl isn’t about one perfect play – it’s about an entire season of preparation, execution, and resilience. Investing is no different. The best investors focus on the long game, manage risks, and stay disciplined, even when things don’t go their way.
So, as you reflect on yesterday's game, ask yourself: Are you playing the investment game with a solid strategy, a strong defence, and a diversified team? Because whether it’s football or investing, success isn’t about short-term wins – it’s about sustained performance over time.
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