(1) A professional athlete is not eligible for benefits during the period between two successive sports seasons when substantially all of his or her base period wages were earned through participation in professional sports or athletic events and the individual has reasonable assurance of returning to professional sports during the next season.

(2) Definitions: For purposes of this section:

(a) "Substantially all" means ninety percent of the individual's base period wages were earned in professional sports.

(b) "Professional athlete" includes:

(i) A regular player or team player;

(ii) An alternate player;

(iii) An individual in training to become a regular player or team player; and

(iv) An individual who, although not performing active sports, is retained as a player or team member while recuperating from illness or disability.

"Professional athlete" does not include ancillary personnel such as managers, coaches, and trainers involved with the team or sporting event.

(3) Reasonable assurance exists when the individual has:

(a) A written or verbal multiyear contract which extends into the subsequent season; or

(b) Offered to work and the employer has expressed interest in hiring the athlete for the next season; or

(c) Expressed a readiness and intent to participate in the sport for the next season.