National Soccer League™’s Post

I find both sides of this coin interesting: 1.) MLS, their legal team and their allies will use this as evidence that any league can obtain a D1 sanction - if they meet the requirements. This will set forth a precedent that they hope covers them from legal action on antitrust grounds. 2.) Independent minds at US Soccer will see this as a ray of hope that another men’s league can establish a D1 sanction - along with a system of promotion and relegation supporters increasingly demand - to go with it. Heads they win. Tails we lose. Instead, we need an authentic and fully open system that appeals to both supporters and investors. Any league doing pro/rel with itself won’t fit that bill. That’s why some who are opposed to pro/rel support the league based imitation. They agree with me that it’s flawed idea that won’t work.

Soccer, intended as a battle between clubs, finds itself ensnared in a perilous deviation from its essence. The misguided presence of two division 1 "leagues" disrupts the sport's fabric, presenting a distorted version of competition. This dual-league paradigm, whether manifesting as a duopoly or monopoly, erects a formidable gatekeeper system. Far from embodying principles of freedom, opportunity, and merit, it operates as the antithesis, undermining the very core of fair play. It is imperative to confront this unsettling reality, challenging the status quo that prioritizes power structures over genuine competition. The call for a recalibration is loud – a return to a soccer landscape where clubs, not leagues, take center stage, fostering an environment that truly values meritocracy and the spirit of the game. https://lnkd.in/e7Gnkjt9

Our final insight of 2023 looks at youth sports participation rates in the U.S. Significant growth in sports like golf and tennis is encouraging, while a decrease in baseball is concerning for those that view early participation as a pathway to lifelong fandom. It's also interesting to note that flag football is more popular in the 6-12 age group than tackle football, although that changes once we look at ages 13+. If you missed any of the insights in our countdown to 2024, stay tuned for a recap early in the new year. #Navigate | #SportsBiz #SportsBusiness #YouthSports #Insights

The unprecedented growth of women's sports has led to the launch of three new professional sports leagues in 2024 (Axios). As expansion markets for both the WNBA (Women's National Basketball Association) and the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) are set to join both powerhouses in the next few years, the women's sports movement is showing no signs of slowing down. #sportsownership #WNBA #NWSL #womenssports

The latest numbers are in - Youth sports participation across baseball (-20%) and tackle football (-13%) is down a lot over the several years, while sports like tennis (+51%), Golf (+32%), and soccer (+4%) have seen substantial growth. Also, boys (40%) are still more likely to play sports than girls (35%) — but the two genders are headed in opposite directions. The professionalization and costs of kids sports is driving kids and families away. Really interesting from Aspen Institute's Project Play: https://lnkd.in/gyaGEndG

Football's Growing Popularity – and a Historic Move for Flag Football! Football is on the rise! Participation in high school football jumped by 6% in 2022-23, marking the first increase in a decade. Flag football is also seeing a surge, especially among girls, with a 32% rise in participation. As schools and communities embrace this growth, more fields are in demand than ever. It’s football season, and the excitement of Friday Night Lights is in full swing! We're excited to support this momentum by offering well-managed, accessible football fields for rent to meet the needs of both traditional and flag football teams. You can explore available fields on our site. Speaking of flag football, did you know it’s set to make its Olympic debut at the 2028 Games in Los Angeles? This global recognition further underscores the sport's growing impact! #Football #FridayNightLights #FlagFootball #YouthSports #Olympics2028 #FacilityManagement

Player development is crucial for the National Soccer League (NSL). Despite soccer's growth in the U.S., elite opportunities for young talent remain scarce. While MLS has boosted visibility, the odds of an American player reaching it are about 1 in a million. The NSL aims to change this by providing a more accessible pathway from grassroots to professional play, identifying and nurturing overlooked talent. Involving top-level coaches and scouts, the NSL will offer trials to assess technical skills, physical attributes, and mental toughness. Successful participants will transition from amateurs to professionals. To build its profile, the NSL will feature these trials in a documentary series, showcasing the personal journeys of potential stars. By expanding opportunities, the NSL aims to strengthen American soccer culture, build a stronger national team, and become a cornerstone of the sport in the U.S https://lnkd.in/eH_7xx5m

Lots of great questions came in about our bid this week. ICYMI: we present to the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) in spring! Read up on why we want this women's professional soccer team, how a bid becomes a team and our timeline from here to opening day. ➡️ Have more questions? Ask in the comments below or send us a message. #womenssoccer #clevelandsports #cleveland #womenssports

The graphics below from Samba TV highlight the heightened popularity of women's college basketball during this past year's NCAA Tournament. An estimated 12.2M households watched the Women's Championship game this year, up 62% from 2023. Comparatively, 10M households watched the Men's Championship game, down 8% from last year. The average number of households that watched the each round of the women's tournament in 2024 was higher than the 2023 tournament. #collegebasketball #ncaaw #womensports #collegesports #womensbasketball #ncaatournament #ncaabasketball #sports

#business #globaltrade #finance #internationaltrading #sports #globalization #Tech Will be interesting to see what foreign interests get in a bidding war over the Celtics. China and European nations have turned the NBA into an international interest.