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Based on the theories of social network, social support, and retirement process, this study analyzes the source and composition of social support for Chinese athletes on the basis of constructing the social support network. Subsequently, we analyze the impact of social support on employment quality of Chinese athletes from different dimensions and further explore the mechanism of social support on the employment quality of athletes from the moderating role of athletes’ self-employment cognition. The study found that the social support network of athletes showed a clear tendency toward “strong ties,” and the social support they received mainly came from family members, teammates, and sports team managers. These kinds of social support will directly promote the employment quality of athletes after retirement. When athletes have full knowledge of their future employment status, the effect of social support in promoting employment quality will be further expanded.