Scott “Matchmaker” Michaels’ Post

With the rise in interest of flag football and it's upcoming inclusion at the 2028 Olympics. We want to deep dive more into flag football and how to play it. https://lnkd.in/dexjCsNY

My honest perspective on the minor league soccer conflict between MLS NEXT Pro and United Soccer League (USL) is that it adds a very negative dynamic to the development of the sport in the United States. Check out my latest article: https://lnkd.in/eCbrHRSb

Global Football Fever: Unveiling the Top 10 Soccer Leagues Around the World However, based on a combination of factors like viewership, financial strength, competitive balance, and historical success, here are 10 frequently mentioned leagues at the forefront of world football: read full article exclusively only at https://lnkd.in/gAyh_PDr

Check out my latest article on how this East Bay club is changing youth soccer.

As someone deeply passionate about sports management and marketing, I've set an ambitious goal to elevate soccer's popularity in the United States to match that of football, basketball, baseball, and hockey. The ongoing Copa America, however, underscores the need for thorough preparation ahead of the 2026 World Cup, posing a challenge to this objective. What started as an interview aimed at entertainment content with fans evolved into a profound discussion on tournament logistics. One pressing issue debated was the prospect of using turf instead of grass. Will this enhance soccer's appeal? I remain skeptical. My hope is that FIFA preserves the integrity of the game by ensuring optimal playing conditions for WC 2026. Let's ensure that every decision we make aligns with our goal of fostering soccer's growth and securing its place among America's favorite sports. #SportManagement #CopaAmerica #SportsMarketing

Last month, the best players in the world gathered to celebrate hockey at the NHL All-Star Weekend — and that included women, too. The league showcased players from the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL), who showed off why they deserve the spotlight, too. The PHWL is the fastest-growing women’s ice hockey league in North America, and with good reason. It’s attracting top talent and giving some of the best women hockey players in the world a much-needed platform. At Upper Deck, we’re a big believer in women’s sports. We want to champion these world-class athletes at every opportunity, and the PHWL is no exception. That’s why we’re thrilled to announce that we will be the exclusive licensed producer of physical and digital trading cards for the PHWL. To celebrate the license and International Women’s Day, we released a fully accessible, free digital trading card set for fans to kick-start their collection, on e-Pack®. This league is just getting started, and we believe it’s going to take hold as more and more people realize just how much talent there is in women’s hockey. If you don’t know names like Savannah Harmon, Kendall Coyne Schofield, or Marie-Philip Poulin yet, then get ready. They’re going to blow you away, and we’re excited to highlight their capabilities in our collectibles. #hockey #pwhl #sportsbusiness #iwd2024

With Olivier Giroud's impending 38th birthday in September, Major League Soccer (MLS) finds itself under intense scrutiny for its questionable recruitment strategies. Giroud's potential move to the MLS has reignited a long-standing debate about the league's tendency to prioritize signing aging stars over fostering the development of homegrown American talent. Critics argue that the MLS has become a haven for aging players seeking one final payday, rather than a platform for nurturing young talent and building a sustainable future for American soccer. Giroud's rumored transfer epitomizes this troubling trend, as the league appears more interested in short-term gains than in laying the groundwork for long-term success. Instead of investing in youth academies, coaching programs, and grassroots initiatives, the MLS continues to splurge on high-profile signings like Giroud, neglecting the development of the sport at its core. By prioritizing aging stars over emerging talent, the league undermines its potential to become a competitive force on the global stage and stunts the growth of soccer in the United States. Critics contend that the MLS's fixation on marquee signings reflects a lack of vision and ambition, as the league fails to capitalize on the vast pool of young talent available in the country. While signing players like Giroud may generate short-term excitement, it does little to address the systemic issues plaguing U.S soccer, such as the absence of a cohesive player development pathway and the reliance on outdated recruitment strategies. https://lnkd.in/eQUn-BpZ

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

Ever wondered how the US women's soccer tier system works? Let me break it down for you. As a dedicated fan of the WSL and Women's Championship, I've recently taken an interest in how women's soccer is run over in the US, and how it's so different to what we know in Europe. Unlike in Europe, promotion and relegation do not exist in American soccer. Instead, the U.S. Soccer Federation sanctions leagues based on their compliance with a series of standards. The National Women's Soccer League (NWSL), operating since 2013, features many of the USA women's team players as well as international stars. This summer, a new women's league, the USL Super League, will operate independently from the NWSL as part of the United Soccer League (USL) structure, which also includes second and third division men’s leagues. The USL Super League has recently been given 'Division One' sanctioning by the U.S. Soccer Federation, placing it at the same level as the NWSL. I know what you're thinking - how can there be two top-tier leagues? Unlike the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) and Major League Soccer, which play on a spring-to-autumn calendar, the USL Super League will align with the European calendar, playing from autumn to spring. The USL also operates several lower divisions for women's soccer, aiming to grow the women's game and expand opportunities for women to compete at the highest professional level. I'm excited to see this new league kick off this August! #womenssoccer #nwsl #uslsuperleague #americansoccer