Former NFL player excels in second career as Arizona real estate leader

W. P. Carey alum and retired NFL player Billy Cundiff (MBA '09, MRED '16) shares his journey from football to real estate.

Billy Cundiff (MBA '09, MRED '16) spent over a decade in the NFL as a placekicker for teams including the Green Bay Packers, Kansas City Chiefs, Cleveland Browns, and Baltimore Ravens. But as a professional athlete, Cundiff knew his time on the field was limited.

"On my first day of NFL practice, I was told I already needed to think about my next move: The NFL is not a career, it’s a short-term gig," says Cundiff.

At the time, Cundiff wasn't sure where life would take him after his football career ended, but he had always been interested in learning about the man-made environment.

"Real estate kept coming to mind as a potential option," he says.

Following his retirement from the NFL in 2015, Cundiff attended W. P. Carey to earn his master's degree in real estate development. Today, he serves as a managing director at the residential rental housing company Greystar.

Cundiff sat down with W. P. Carey News to discuss his transition from the gridiron to a successful career in real estate development, and the role W. P. Carey played in preparing him to lead in Arizona's thriving real estate industry.

Question: Why did you choose to pursue a career in real estate after retiring from the NFL?
Answer: I’ve always been drawn to the built environment. Growing up, I was curious about how communities were shaped — why certain neighborhoods thrived and why some developments became landmarks while others didn’t.

When a CBRE internship opportunity became available, I jumped at the chance and quickly learned about the many career opportunities in real estate. The NFL taught me resilience, accountability, and how to perform under pressure. Those lessons translate to everything I do today.

Q: Why did you apply to W. P. Carey's MRED program?
A: ASU’s MRED program stood out because it wasn’t just theory — it combined finance, design, urban planning, and law, and was the most fun educational experience I have ever had. At the beginning of the program, I asked questions in class and felt frustrated with the professors' 'it depends' responses. So, I immersed myself in the content and got better at asking detailed questions. This approach improved my ability to understand complex problems and create a structured approach to tackling big projects and challenges.

In football, you spend hours studying film, memorizing plays, and preparing for scenarios. At ASU, it was the same mentality — just a different playbook. I had to study markets, understand financing structures, and collaborate with teammates on case studies. The discipline transferred over really well.

Q: What did you find most valuable about the MRED program?
A: The relationships. The program attracted people from various professional backgrounds — finance, construction, design — and that diversity created a powerful learning environment. Everyone brought something unique, and it pushed me to think differently. Second, the professors. Many of them were active developers, lawyers, or design professionals, so the lessons came from real-world experience, not just theory. That practical knowledge was invaluable.

Q: What advice do you have for current MRED students?
A: It’s critical to be curious and build a big network. I am a lifelong learner, and building that outlook early in your career helps build resilience and executive function later on. When it comes to networking, people want to help you, but it’s about reaching out and finding a time to meet with industry leaders. Even if it meant early mornings or stopping by offices on Friday afternoons, leveraging the MRED platform to meet industry professionals is key to developing a career in real estate.

Q: What were some of the biggest challenges you faced early on in your real estate career?
A: The hardest part was shifting my identity. For so long, I was Billy the football player. When I walked into a room in real estate, people saw me through that lens. I had to prove that I wasn’t just an athlete trying something new, and that I had the knowledge, work ethic, and commitment to succeed. That meant putting in the hours, studying deals in detail, and asking questions. Humility was key.

Q: What advice would you give someone starting out in real estate?
A: Be humble and willing to learn. Don’t assume you have to know everything on day one. Find mentors, study the details, and prove yourself by doing the work. People will notice if you’re serious and committed. Also, remember that it’s a team sport. Just like football, you need to surround yourself with the right people — architects, capital partners, contractors — and work together toward the vision.

Learn more about W. P. Carey's MRED program.