Girls' Academy has also been approved to become a U.S. Soccer member!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Jessica Berman (NWSL Commissioner) spoke about Academies again today.

https://theathletic.com/5337948/2024/03/13/jessica-berman-nwsl-calendar-world-cup/

Berman also envisioned teams being willing to invest more in youth talent development because of the opportunity for a financial return even if that player didn’t end up on the first team. While some NWSL clubs have either reserve teams, such as Racing Louisville’s W League team, or relationships with youth academies, these elements aren’t yet baked into each club’s infrastructure.

LOL, she spoke about many things and the word academies wasn't used the way you want to believe. Yeah, read it again, look at the timeline and then ask yourself, this "will my kid ever benefit from whatever hypothetical she even means?"

Everyone here wants a more professional academy system installed but she spoke in very vaguely and in generalities about loose idea of 5 year plan.

If your kid is a 2012, the announcement of such a league may not happen for at least five years. She also never mentioned GA, ECNL or anything.

You are reading into a lot of tea leaves that such an undertaking is happening soon when she also listed many more imminent things on the horizon. Stadiums, network deals, expansion, transfer fees, etc. Your paragraph was pretty much at the end of the article. Your GA academy system is not happening soon. She seemed more interested in teams being able to fill out reserve teams first and work from there on down over time.

Working with Youth Academies, like Racing Louisville, for example might mean little more than the occasional U17 getting to practice with the reserve squad if they are short. Spirit does this occasionally with local clubs. I could see NWSL trying to strengthen those lines of communication for finding players here and there but nothing as formal as league and full on academy as you envision.

"While some NWSL clubs have either reserve teams, such as Racing Louisville’s W League team, or relationships with youth academies, these elements aren’t yet baked into each club’s infrastructure." This sums it up. Teams already do this as they can. Straddling clubs with the required expense of an academy is not something the league is prepared to do just yet.

That's one interpretation. It could mean a lot of things.

However the FACT that the head of the NWSL is talking about engaging with youth says a lot.

Look at how MLS engages with youth and you'll see the most likely way NWSL will engage with youth.

There is no money to do much of anything. At best this is 5 to 10 years out and assumes growth in the Women's professional soccer that is suspect without a dominating national team. You can't look at MLS --- they have the money. It is highly likely that NWSL will not. Look the whole NWSL is not in great shape. They do ok; not great. Some of the owners have deep pockets most do not. MLS is mostly deep pockets.

Don't know what you're talking about women's soccer specifically USWNT and NWSL are booming.

No, it isn't booming. Growing? Yes, but booming? no way.

Yes booming NWSL quadrupled their media contract.

That's what booming looks like.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Jessica Berman (NWSL Commissioner) spoke about Academies again today.

https://theathletic.com/5337948/2024/03/13/jessica-berman-nwsl-calendar-world-cup/

Berman also envisioned teams being willing to invest more in youth talent development because of the opportunity for a financial return even if that player didn’t end up on the first team. While some NWSL clubs have either reserve teams, such as Racing Louisville’s W League team, or relationships with youth academies, these elements aren’t yet baked into each club’s infrastructure.

LOL, she spoke about many things and the word academies wasn't used the way you want to believe. Yeah, read it again, look at the timeline and then ask yourself, this "will my kid ever benefit from whatever hypothetical she even means?"

Everyone here wants a more professional academy system installed but she spoke in very vaguely and in generalities about loose idea of 5 year plan.

If your kid is a 2012, the announcement of such a league may not happen for at least five years. She also never mentioned GA, ECNL or anything.

You are reading into a lot of tea leaves that such an undertaking is happening soon when she also listed many more imminent things on the horizon. Stadiums, network deals, expansion, transfer fees, etc. Your paragraph was pretty much at the end of the article. Your GA academy system is not happening soon. She seemed more interested in teams being able to fill out reserve teams first and work from there on down over time.

Working with Youth Academies, like Racing Louisville, for example might mean little more than the occasional U17 getting to practice with the reserve squad if they are short. Spirit does this occasionally with local clubs. I could see NWSL trying to strengthen those lines of communication for finding players here and there but nothing as formal as league and full on academy as you envision.

"While some NWSL clubs have either reserve teams, such as Racing Louisville’s W League team, or relationships with youth academies, these elements aren’t yet baked into each club’s infrastructure." This sums it up. Teams already do this as they can. Straddling clubs with the required expense of an academy is not something the league is prepared to do just yet.

That's one interpretation. It could mean a lot of things.

However the FACT that the head of the NWSL is talking about engaging with youth says a lot.

Look at how MLS engages with youth and you'll see the most likely way NWSL will engage with youth.

There is no money to do much of anything. At best this is 5 to 10 years out and assumes growth in the Women's professional soccer that is suspect without a dominating national team. You can't look at MLS --- they have the money. It is highly likely that NWSL will not. Look the whole NWSL is not in great shape. They do ok; not great. Some of the owners have deep pockets most do not. MLS is mostly deep pockets.

Don't know what you're talking about women's soccer specifically USWNT and NWSL are booming.

No, it isn't booming. Growing? Yes, but booming? no way.

Yes booming NWSL quadrupled their media contract.

That's what booming looks like.

Average attendance is 15,000 with teams like Chicago only averaging 4800 a game.

Not booming

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Jessica Berman (NWSL Commissioner) spoke about Academies again today.

https://theathletic.com/5337948/2024/03/13/jessica-berman-nwsl-calendar-world-cup/

Berman also envisioned teams being willing to invest more in youth talent development because of the opportunity for a financial return even if that player didn’t end up on the first team. While some NWSL clubs have either reserve teams, such as Racing Louisville’s W League team, or relationships with youth academies, these elements aren’t yet baked into each club’s infrastructure.

LOL, she spoke about many things and the word academies wasn't used the way you want to believe. Yeah, read it again, look at the timeline and then ask yourself, this "will my kid ever benefit from whatever hypothetical she even means?"

Everyone here wants a more professional academy system installed but she spoke in very vaguely and in generalities about loose idea of 5 year plan.

If your kid is a 2012, the announcement of such a league may not happen for at least five years. She also never mentioned GA, ECNL or anything.

You are reading into a lot of tea leaves that such an undertaking is happening soon when she also listed many more imminent things on the horizon. Stadiums, network deals, expansion, transfer fees, etc. Your paragraph was pretty much at the end of the article. Your GA academy system is not happening soon. She seemed more interested in teams being able to fill out reserve teams first and work from there on down over time.

Working with Youth Academies, like Racing Louisville, for example might mean little more than the occasional U17 getting to practice with the reserve squad if they are short. Spirit does this occasionally with local clubs. I could see NWSL trying to strengthen those lines of communication for finding players here and there but nothing as formal as league and full on academy as you envision.

"While some NWSL clubs have either reserve teams, such as Racing Louisville’s W League team, or relationships with youth academies, these elements aren’t yet baked into each club’s infrastructure." This sums it up. Teams already do this as they can. Straddling clubs with the required expense of an academy is not something the league is prepared to do just yet.

That's one interpretation. It could mean a lot of things.

However the FACT that the head of the NWSL is talking about engaging with youth says a lot.

Look at how MLS engages with youth and you'll see the most likely way NWSL will engage with youth.

There is no money to do much of anything. At best this is 5 to 10 years out and assumes growth in the Women's professional soccer that is suspect without a dominating national team. You can't look at MLS --- they have the money. It is highly likely that NWSL will not. Look the whole NWSL is not in great shape. They do ok; not great. Some of the owners have deep pockets most do not. MLS is mostly deep pockets.

Don't know what you're talking about women's soccer specifically USWNT and NWSL are booming.

No, it isn't booming. Growing? Yes, but booming? no way.

Yes booming NWSL quadrupled their media contract.

That's what booming looks like.

Average attendance is 15,000 with teams like Chicago only averaging 4800 a game.

Not booming

SD Wave is averaging 20k per game same as many MLS teams.

Booming

[Anonymous]

booming confirmed

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Jessica Berman (NWSL Commissioner) spoke about Academies again today.

https://theathletic.com/5337948/2024/03/13/jessica-berman-nwsl-calendar-world-cup/

Berman also envisioned teams being willing to invest more in youth talent development because of the opportunity for a financial return even if that player didn’t end up on the first team. While some NWSL clubs have either reserve teams, such as Racing Louisville’s W League team, or relationships with youth academies, these elements aren’t yet baked into each club’s infrastructure.

LOL, she spoke about many things and the word academies wasn't used the way you want to believe. Yeah, read it again, look at the timeline and then ask yourself, this "will my kid ever benefit from whatever hypothetical she even means?"

Everyone here wants a more professional academy system installed but she spoke in very vaguely and in generalities about loose idea of 5 year plan.

If your kid is a 2012, the announcement of such a league may not happen for at least five years. She also never mentioned GA, ECNL or anything.

You are reading into a lot of tea leaves that such an undertaking is happening soon when she also listed many more imminent things on the horizon. Stadiums, network deals, expansion, transfer fees, etc. Your paragraph was pretty much at the end of the article. Your GA academy system is not happening soon. She seemed more interested in teams being able to fill out reserve teams first and work from there on down over time.

Working with Youth Academies, like Racing Louisville, for example might mean little more than the occasional U17 getting to practice with the reserve squad if they are short. Spirit does this occasionally with local clubs. I could see NWSL trying to strengthen those lines of communication for finding players here and there but nothing as formal as league and full on academy as you envision.

"While some NWSL clubs have either reserve teams, such as Racing Louisville’s W League team, or relationships with youth academies, these elements aren’t yet baked into each club’s infrastructure." This sums it up. Teams already do this as they can. Straddling clubs with the required expense of an academy is not something the league is prepared to do just yet.

That's one interpretation. It could mean a lot of things.

However the FACT that the head of the NWSL is talking about engaging with youth says a lot.

Look at how MLS engages with youth and you'll see the most likely way NWSL will engage with youth.

There is no money to do much of anything. At best this is 5 to 10 years out and assumes growth in the Women's professional soccer that is suspect without a dominating national team. You can't look at MLS --- they have the money. It is highly likely that NWSL will not. Look the whole NWSL is not in great shape. They do ok; not great. Some of the owners have deep pockets most do not. MLS is mostly deep pockets.

Don't know what you're talking about women's soccer specifically USWNT and NWSL are booming.

No, it isn't booming. Growing? Yes, but booming? no way.

Yes booming NWSL quadrupled their media contract.

That's what booming looks like.

Average attendance is 15,000 with teams like Chicago only averaging 4800 a game.

Not booming

SD Wave is averaging 20k per game same as many MLS teams.

Booming

Those numbers are not for every game and there are some teams with few peopel there -- also most teams do not own stadiums so money not really coming in. MLS makes money on beer. Not so much for NWSL. Any increases in media is going to have to pay for players. There really is no money here and there is not likely to be any.

[Anonymous]

Booming goes the dynamite

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Jessica Berman (NWSL Commissioner) spoke about Academies again today.

https://theathletic.com/5337948/2024/03/13/jessica-berman-nwsl-calendar-world-cup/

Berman also envisioned teams being willing to invest more in youth talent development because of the opportunity for a financial return even if that player didn’t end up on the first team. While some NWSL clubs have either reserve teams, such as Racing Louisville’s W League team, or relationships with youth academies, these elements aren’t yet baked into each club’s infrastructure.

LOL, she spoke about many things and the word academies wasn't used the way you want to believe. Yeah, read it again, look at the timeline and then ask yourself, this "will my kid ever benefit from whatever hypothetical she even means?"

Everyone here wants a more professional academy system installed but she spoke in very vaguely and in generalities about loose idea of 5 year plan.

If your kid is a 2012, the announcement of such a league may not happen for at least five years. She also never mentioned GA, ECNL or anything.

You are reading into a lot of tea leaves that such an undertaking is happening soon when she also listed many more imminent things on the horizon. Stadiums, network deals, expansion, transfer fees, etc. Your paragraph was pretty much at the end of the article. Your GA academy system is not happening soon. She seemed more interested in teams being able to fill out reserve teams first and work from there on down over time.

Working with Youth Academies, like Racing Louisville, for example might mean little more than the occasional U17 getting to practice with the reserve squad if they are short. Spirit does this occasionally with local clubs. I could see NWSL trying to strengthen those lines of communication for finding players here and there but nothing as formal as league and full on academy as you envision.

"While some NWSL clubs have either reserve teams, such as Racing Louisville’s W League team, or relationships with youth academies, these elements aren’t yet baked into each club’s infrastructure." This sums it up. Teams already do this as they can. Straddling clubs with the required expense of an academy is not something the league is prepared to do just yet.

That's one interpretation. It could mean a lot of things.

However the FACT that the head of the NWSL is talking about engaging with youth says a lot.

Look at how MLS engages with youth and you'll see the most likely way NWSL will engage with youth.

There is no money to do much of anything. At best this is 5 to 10 years out and assumes growth in the Women's professional soccer that is suspect without a dominating national team. You can't look at MLS --- they have the money. It is highly likely that NWSL will not. Look the whole NWSL is not in great shape. They do ok; not great. Some of the owners have deep pockets most do not. MLS is mostly deep pockets.

Don't know what you're talking about women's soccer specifically USWNT and NWSL are booming.

No, it isn't booming. Growing? Yes, but booming? no way.

Yes booming NWSL quadrupled their media contract.

That's what booming looks like.

Average attendance is 15,000 with teams like Chicago only averaging 4800 a game.

Not booming

SD Wave is averaging 20k per game same as many MLS teams.

Booming

Those numbers are not for every game and there are some teams with few peopel there -- also most teams do not own stadiums so money not really coming in. MLS makes money on beer. Not so much for NWSL. Any increases in media is going to have to pay for players. There really is no money here and there is not likely to be any.

Bla bla bla here's the attendance numbers.
https://soccerstadiumdigest.com/2023-nwsl-attendance/

[Anonymous]

Two things can be true at the same time. Yes, NWSL is growing. No, they still don’t have the money yet to fund academies.

[Anonymous]

Yes, NWSL is growing. No, there isn't money to be put towards fully funded academies just yet. Yes, NWSL is paying attention to youth players.

Rarely do any of us know what goes on behind the scenes at these clubs. NWSL clubs invite non-roster players all the time to train with them, even young 13 year olds like Gotham FC did recently, and before that plenty of other players.

I'm sure they understand that they need a way to manage this, but I doubt its high on their priority at the moment. Sports are indeed changing with NIL deals and money being involved at the college level. These things will sort themselves out over time. Look at the NFL even, imagine being a player like Brock Purdy who shows out on the field as a pro yet is paid less than some college athletes. Sports in this country will go through some growing pains but the path will be sorted out eventually.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, NWSL is growing. No, there isn't money to be put towards fully funded academies just yet. Yes, NWSL is paying attention to youth players.

Rarely do any of us know what goes on behind the scenes at these clubs. NWSL clubs invite non-roster players all the time to train with them, even young 13 year olds like Gotham FC did recently, and before that plenty of other players.

I'm sure they understand that they need a way to manage this, but I doubt its high on their priority at the moment. Sports are indeed changing with NIL deals and money being involved at the college level. These things will sort themselves out over time. Look at the NFL even, imagine being a player like Brock Purdy who shows out on the field as a pro yet is paid less than some college athletes. Sports in this country will go through some growing pains but the path will be sorted out eventually.

I've provided two examples where the head of NWSL has stated that "investing in youth" is a priority.

You talk and spew hot air. Shut up and admit that NWSL is going to somehow get involved with youth girls soccer.

[Anonymous]

I admit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, NWSL is growing. No, there isn't money to be put towards fully funded academies just yet. Yes, NWSL is paying attention to youth players.

Rarely do any of us know what goes on behind the scenes at these clubs. NWSL clubs invite non-roster players all the time to train with them, even young 13 year olds like Gotham FC did recently, and before that plenty of other players.

I'm sure they understand that they need a way to manage this, but I doubt its high on their priority at the moment. Sports are indeed changing with NIL deals and money being involved at the college level. These things will sort themselves out over time. Look at the NFL even, imagine being a player like Brock Purdy who shows out on the field as a pro yet is paid less than some college athletes. Sports in this country will go through some growing pains but the path will be sorted out eventually.

I've provided two examples where the head of NWSL has stated that "investing in youth" is a priority.

You talk and spew hot air. Shut up and admit that NWSL is going to somehow get involved with youth girls soccer.

People say things. Money speaks. Until we see real academies, it's all empty talk.

[Anonymous]

Head in the sand crew over here

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, NWSL is growing. No, there isn't money to be put towards fully funded academies just yet. Yes, NWSL is paying attention to youth players.

Rarely do any of us know what goes on behind the scenes at these clubs. NWSL clubs invite non-roster players all the time to train with them, even young 13 year olds like Gotham FC did recently, and before that plenty of other players.

I'm sure they understand that they need a way to manage this, but I doubt its high on their priority at the moment. Sports are indeed changing with NIL deals and money being involved at the college level. These things will sort themselves out over time. Look at the NFL even, imagine being a player like Brock Purdy who shows out on the field as a pro yet is paid less than some college athletes. Sports in this country will go through some growing pains but the path will be sorted out eventually.

I've provided two examples where the head of NWSL has stated that "investing in youth" is a priority.

You talk and spew hot air. Shut up and admit that NWSL is going to somehow get involved with youth girls soccer.

People say things. Money speaks. Until we see real academies, it's all empty talk.

Shut up and admit it!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, NWSL is growing. No, there isn't money to be put towards fully funded academies just yet. Yes, NWSL is paying attention to youth players.

Rarely do any of us know what goes on behind the scenes at these clubs. NWSL clubs invite non-roster players all the time to train with them, even young 13 year olds like Gotham FC did recently, and before that plenty of other players.

I'm sure they understand that they need a way to manage this, but I doubt its high on their priority at the moment. Sports are indeed changing with NIL deals and money being involved at the college level. These things will sort themselves out over time. Look at the NFL even, imagine being a player like Brock Purdy who shows out on the field as a pro yet is paid less than some college athletes. Sports in this country will go through some growing pains but the path will be sorted out eventually.

I've provided two examples where the head of NWSL has stated that "investing in youth" is a priority.

You talk and spew hot air. Shut up and admit that NWSL is going to somehow get involved with youth girls soccer.

People say things. Money speaks. Until we see real academies, it's all empty talk.

Shut up and admit it!

Point to money actually being spent and not just platitudes