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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

And Chicago is under 5000. That's how averages work. High School football games in Texas draw more than SD Wave.

Growing, not booming.

And Houston Dynamo (A MLS Team) averages 15000
https://soccerstadiumdigest.com/2023-mls-attendance/

Booming + proven that several NWSL clubs average higher than MLS attendance.

How many NWSL teams own their own stadiums? Do any own stadiums that even approach MLS stadiums? Owning the building generates revenue, when the wave get a huge number, SDSU benefits as much as the team

MLS implemented a homegrown rule in 2008. How many MLS teams had their own stadium in 2008?

Does that really matter? Unless there is political appetite to subsidize NWSL stadiums, NWSL teams will have an impossible task generating the kind of revenue that MLS teams expect

It matters because NWSL is at the same point in 2024 that MLS was in 2008.

This is why Jessica Berman is talking about "investing in youth" it's also why they'll likely implement some form of Academy soon.

Assuming NWSL's trajectory is correlated and linear that means they 16 years behind MLS right now. Which would put a pay for play Academy system in place in about ten years from now, which for MLS might not have happened if not for DA. DC United was one of the last academies to go fully funded a few years ago.

So NWSL is about 12 years away from a fully funded professional academy system. Which I hope happens, but there is no world in which I am placing my kid in any club next year based on any hoped for acceleration of that process. When it does happen it will still be a slow build.

There will be nothing of use for 5 years and there will likely be discussions and planning 5-10 years from now. And that is assuming everything goes smoothly and steadily.

We are talking domestic league and academy aspects here. Of course they talk with European leagues, NWSL s a league afterall. But what does that even imply for a 15 year old girl?

I know you really want this to happen and you seem to think people are saying that it won't happen but you are not listening.

It will happen in a decade at least. NWSL as a league, with over 20 teams, NWSL specific stadiums and full academies will take 20 years+. Of that I have no doubt. I seriously doubt any fully funded league wide academy system in place in under 5 years. Might a couple of teams figure out a way? Sure, but NWSL needs a B league to play the reserves first. Then you build down. You don't train a bunch of 15 years old's to just lose them to college with no reliable place to play and develop if they don't make the first team.

Literally SD Wave practices on SD Surfs fields. Also, a former SD Surf coach is on the coaching staff for SD Wave.

https://sandiegowavefc.com/san-diego-wave-fc-announces-sporting-staff-ahead-of-2023-nwsl-season/
"Barclay was a local hire from youth sports club, Surf Soccer Club, where he served as the Director of Coaching. With an incredible breadth of knowledge in California club soccer, Barclay will work as a development coach and assist younger players in the integration and growth within the team."

Sure seems to me that SD Surf and SD wave are ready to go with an Academy

Surf is a poor example only because they are the creme of the crop for girls soccer in the US, whatever they are doing it won't be easily replicated. Girls are relocating to SoCal to play for them and now there is talk of a 20 bed residential facility being built to attract more elite girls to relocate for soccer. The SD wave connection is real CB will handpick all the best girls at Surf upon their 15th bday to train with Wave, Barcenas was the first and certainly not the last. This is more of the organic model that exsists in Europe. In the US its going to have to be more centralized with one of the leagues to actually work on this with NWLS becuase as we've all seen made abundantly clear, there isn't money for this yet.

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

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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

And Chicago is under 5000. That's how averages work. High School football games in Texas draw more than SD Wave.

Growing, not booming.

And Houston Dynamo (A MLS Team) averages 15000
https://soccerstadiumdigest.com/2023-mls-attendance/

Booming + proven that several NWSL clubs average higher than MLS attendance.

How many NWSL teams own their own stadiums? Do any own stadiums that even approach MLS stadiums? Owning the building generates revenue, when the wave get a huge number, SDSU benefits as much as the team

MLS implemented a homegrown rule in 2008. How many MLS teams had their own stadium in 2008?

Does that really matter? Unless there is political appetite to subsidize NWSL stadiums, NWSL teams will have an impossible task generating the kind of revenue that MLS teams expect

It matters because NWSL is at the same point in 2024 that MLS was in 2008.

This is why Jessica Berman is talking about "investing in youth" it's also why they'll likely implement some form of Academy soon.

Assuming NWSL's trajectory is correlated and linear that means they 16 years behind MLS right now. Which would put a pay for play Academy system in place in about ten years from now, which for MLS might not have happened if not for DA. DC United was one of the last academies to go fully funded a few years ago.

So NWSL is about 12 years away from a fully funded professional academy system. Which I hope happens, but there is no world in which I am placing my kid in any club next year based on any hoped for acceleration of that process. When it does happen it will still be a slow build.

There will be nothing of use for 5 years and there will likely be discussions and planning 5-10 years from now. And that is assuming everything goes smoothly and steadily.

We are talking domestic league and academy aspects here. Of course they talk with European leagues, NWSL s a league afterall. But what does that even imply for a 15 year old girl?

I know you really want this to happen and you seem to think people are saying that it won't happen but you are not listening.

It will happen in a decade at least. NWSL as a league, with over 20 teams, NWSL specific stadiums and full academies will take 20 years+. Of that I have no doubt. I seriously doubt any fully funded league wide academy system in place in under 5 years. Might a couple of teams figure out a way? Sure, but NWSL needs a B league to play the reserves first. Then you build down. You don't train a bunch of 15 years old's to just lose them to college with no reliable place to play and develop if they don't make the first team.

Literally SD Wave practices on SD Surfs fields. Also, a former SD Surf coach is on the coaching staff for SD Wave.

https://sandiegowavefc.com/san-diego-wave-fc-announces-sporting-staff-ahead-of-2023-nwsl-season/
"Barclay was a local hire from youth sports club, Surf Soccer Club, where he served as the Director of Coaching. With an incredible breadth of knowledge in California club soccer, Barclay will work as a development coach and assist younger players in the integration and growth within the team."

Sure seems to me that SD Surf and SD wave are ready to go with an Academy

Surf is a poor example only because they are the creme of the crop for girls soccer in the US, whatever they are doing it won't be easily replicated. Girls are relocating to SoCal to play for them and now there is talk of a 20 bed residential facility being built to attract more elite girls to relocate for soccer. The SD wave connection is real CB will handpick all the best girls at Surf upon their 15th bday to train with Wave, Barcenas was the first and certainly not the last. This is more of the organic model that exsists in Europe. In the US its going to have to be more centralized with one of the leagues to actually work on this with NWLS becuase as we've all seen made abundantly clear, there isn't money for this yet.

Anonymous wrote:Small minds everywhere, aruging over the legitimacy of a women's league. Boy parents you all are clearly. Going professional at 15 is not what I'm supporting NWSL academies for, its about equity and giving talented girls the same opporutnities their males counterparts enjoy. I don't care if its financialy feasible, smarter people than me can figure that out. if its 2, 5, or10 years its going to happen. Its seems like some boy dads get off on comparing the drastic inequities in the mens and women's game. Congrats men win again, awesome, world has turned out great with men in charge, carry on with your hate and heads in the sand

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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

And Chicago is under 5000. That's how averages work. High School football games in Texas draw more than SD Wave.

Growing, not booming.

And Houston Dynamo (A MLS Team) averages 15000
https://soccerstadiumdigest.com/2023-mls-attendance/

Booming + proven that several NWSL clubs average higher than MLS attendance.

How many NWSL teams own their own stadiums? Do any own stadiums that even approach MLS stadiums? Owning the building generates revenue, when the wave get a huge number, SDSU benefits as much as the team

MLS implemented a homegrown rule in 2008. How many MLS teams had their own stadium in 2008?

Does that really matter? Unless there is political appetite to subsidize NWSL stadiums, NWSL teams will have an impossible task generating the kind of revenue that MLS teams expect

It matters because NWSL is at the same point in 2024 that MLS was in 2008.

This is why Jessica Berman is talking about "investing in youth" it's also why they'll likely implement some form of Academy soon.

Assuming NWSL's trajectory is correlated and linear that means they 16 years behind MLS right now. Which would put a pay for play Academy system in place in about ten years from now, which for MLS might not have happened if not for DA. DC United was one of the last academies to go fully funded a few years ago.

So NWSL is about 12 years away from a fully funded professional academy system. Which I hope happens, but there is no world in which I am placing my kid in any club next year based on any hoped for acceleration of that process. When it does happen it will still be a slow build.

There will be nothing of use for 5 years and there will likely be discussions and planning 5-10 years from now. And that is assuming everything goes smoothly and steadily.

We are talking domestic league and academy aspects here. Of course they talk with European leagues, NWSL s a league afterall. But what does that even imply for a 15 year old girl?

I know you really want this to happen and you seem to think people are saying that it won't happen but you are not listening.

It will happen in a decade at least. NWSL as a league, with over 20 teams, NWSL specific stadiums and full academies will take 20 years+. Of that I have no doubt. I seriously doubt any fully funded league wide academy system in place in under 5 years. Might a couple of teams figure out a way? Sure, but NWSL needs a B league to play the reserves first. Then you build down. You don't train a bunch of 15 years old's to just lose them to college with no reliable place to play and develop if they don't make the first team.

Literally SD Wave practices on SD Surfs fields. Also, a former SD Surf coach is on the coaching staff for SD Wave.

https://sandiegowavefc.com/san-diego-wave-fc-announces-sporting-staff-ahead-of-2023-nwsl-season/
"Barclay was a local hire from youth sports club, Surf Soccer Club, where he served as the Director of Coaching. With an incredible breadth of knowledge in California club soccer, Barclay will work as a development coach and assist younger players in the integration and growth within the team."

Sure seems to me that SD Surf and SD wave are ready to go with an Academy

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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

And Chicago is under 5000. That's how averages work. High School football games in Texas draw more than SD Wave.

Growing, not booming.

And Houston Dynamo (A MLS Team) averages 15000
https://soccerstadiumdigest.com/2023-mls-attendance/

Booming + proven that several NWSL clubs average higher than MLS attendance.

How many NWSL teams own their own stadiums? Do any own stadiums that even approach MLS stadiums? Owning the building generates revenue, when the wave get a huge number, SDSU benefits as much as the team

MLS implemented a homegrown rule in 2008. How many MLS teams had their own stadium in 2008?

Does that really matter? Unless there is political appetite to subsidize NWSL stadiums, NWSL teams will have an impossible task generating the kind of revenue that MLS teams expect

It matters because NWSL is at the same point in 2024 that MLS was in 2008.

This is why Jessica Berman is talking about "investing in youth" it's also why they'll likely implement some form of Academy soon.

Assuming NWSL's trajectory is correlated and linear that means they 16 years behind MLS right now. Which would put a pay for play Academy system in place in about ten years from now, which for MLS might not have happened if not for DA. DC United was one of the last academies to go fully funded a few years ago.

So NWSL is about 12 years away from a fully funded professional academy system. Which I hope happens, but there is no world in which I am placing my kid in any club next year based on any hoped for acceleration of that process. When it does happen it will still be a slow build.

There will be nothing of use for 5 years and there will likely be discussions and planning 5-10 years from now. And that is assuming everything goes smoothly and steadily.

We are talking domestic league and academy aspects here. Of course they talk with European leagues, NWSL s a league afterall. But what does that even imply for a 15 year old girl?

I know you really want this to happen and you seem to think people are saying that it won't happen but you are not listening.

It will happen in a decade at least. NWSL as a league, with over 20 teams, NWSL specific stadiums and full academies will take 20 years+. Of that I have no doubt. I seriously doubt any fully funded league wide academy system in place in under 5 years. Might a couple of teams figure out a way? Sure, but NWSL needs a B league to play the reserves first. Then you build down. You don't train a bunch of 15 years old's to just lose them to college with no reliable place to play and develop if they don't make the first team.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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

And Chicago is under 5000. That's how averages work. High School football games in Texas draw more than SD Wave.

Growing, not booming.

And Houston Dynamo (A MLS Team) averages 15000
https://soccerstadiumdigest.com/2023-mls-attendance/

Booming + proven that several NWSL clubs average higher than MLS attendance.

How many NWSL teams own their own stadiums? Do any own stadiums that even approach MLS stadiums? Owning the building generates revenue, when the wave get a huge number, SDSU benefits as much as the team

MLS implemented a homegrown rule in 2008. How many MLS teams had their own stadium in 2008?

Does that really matter? Unless there is political appetite to subsidize NWSL stadiums, NWSL teams will have an impossible task generating the kind of revenue that MLS teams expect

You mean like this?
https://equalizersoccer.com/2024/03/09/kansas-citys-new-stadium-is-another-sign-of-the-nwsls-rising-standards/

It seats 11,500. The MLS stadium in Kansas city seats 18,500

Its a Stadium! Before you said NWSL doesn't invest in stadiums.

Now once proven wrong you've switched to attendance.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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

And Chicago is under 5000. That's how averages work. High School football games in Texas draw more than SD Wave.

Growing, not booming.

And Houston Dynamo (A MLS Team) averages 15000
https://soccerstadiumdigest.com/2023-mls-attendance/

Booming + proven that several NWSL clubs average higher than MLS attendance.

How many NWSL teams own their own stadiums? Do any own stadiums that even approach MLS stadiums? Owning the building generates revenue, when the wave get a huge number, SDSU benefits as much as the team

MLS implemented a homegrown rule in 2008. How many MLS teams had their own stadium in 2008?

Toma! Got you with that one. Also NWSL is currently a Top 5 league in the women's game with Spain, England, Germany, and French women's leagues, while MLS may be in the top 10-15 on men's side with absolutely no chance to ever crack top 5. NWSL and women's game is higly popular in the US hence tv deal, and comparing it to MLS is proably not helpful except for youth league developments because they are already vastly different in popularity globally. NWSL will do everything faster, because infrastructure from MLS is already in place and because US women's soccer is respected globally. Making money is secondary for most sport owners, so the money is not concerning me yet. They will need to improve salaries sooner rather than later though to ensure their growth remains exponential

"Making money is secondary for most sport owners"????

If this is true please explain $20 beer and $10 hotdogs.

Abosuletly the dumbest thing said on these forums this month.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I admit.

I wish more people were like you.

It's interesting how women have to deal with knuckleheads saying that they're not successful.

Look at the attendances of both MLS and NWSL teams. Yes, men are slightly higher but not a lot. Specifically not enough to justify the disparity in pay between men and women player pay.

Just wait, the next NWSL media deal is going to be double what it is now. Which will trickle down to player pay.

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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

And Chicago is under 5000. That's how averages work. High School football games in Texas draw more than SD Wave.

Growing, not booming.

And Houston Dynamo (A MLS Team) averages 15000
https://soccerstadiumdigest.com/2023-mls-attendance/

Booming + proven that several NWSL clubs average higher than MLS attendance.

How many NWSL teams own their own stadiums? Do any own stadiums that even approach MLS stadiums? Owning the building generates revenue, when the wave get a huge number, SDSU benefits as much as the team

MLS implemented a homegrown rule in 2008. How many MLS teams had their own stadium in 2008?

Does that really matter? Unless there is political appetite to subsidize NWSL stadiums, NWSL teams will have an impossible task generating the kind of revenue that MLS teams expect

You mean like this?
https://equalizersoccer.com/2024/03/09/kansas-citys-new-stadium-is-another-sign-of-the-nwsls-rising-standards/

It seats 11,500. The MLS stadium in Kansas city seats 18,500

Its a Stadium! Before you said NWSL doesn't invest in stadiums.

Now once proven wrong you've switched to attendance.

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

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

And Chicago is under 5000. That's how averages work. High School football games in Texas draw more than SD Wave.

Growing, not booming.

And Houston Dynamo (A MLS Team) averages 15000
https://soccerstadiumdigest.com/2023-mls-attendance/

Booming + proven that several NWSL clubs average higher than MLS attendance.

How many NWSL teams own their own stadiums? Do any own stadiums that even approach MLS stadiums? Owning the building generates revenue, when the wave get a huge number, SDSU benefits as much as the team

MLS implemented a homegrown rule in 2008. How many MLS teams had their own stadium in 2008?

Does that really matter? Unless there is political appetite to subsidize NWSL stadiums, NWSL teams will have an impossible task generating the kind of revenue that MLS teams expect

It matters because NWSL is at the same point in 2024 that MLS was in 2008.

This is why Jessica Berman is talking about "investing in youth" it's also why they'll likely implement some form of Academy soon.

Assuming NWSL's trajectory is correlated and linear that means they 16 years behind MLS right now. Which would put a pay for play Academy system in place in about ten years from now, which for MLS might not have happened if not for DA. DC United was one of the last academies to go fully funded a few years ago.

So NWSL is about 12 years away from a fully funded professional academy system. Which I hope happens, but there is no world in which I am placing my kid in any club next year based on any hoped for acceleration of that process. When it does happen it will still be a slow build.

There will be nothing of use for 5 years and there will likely be discussions and planning 5-10 years from now. And that is assuming everything goes smoothly and steadily.

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

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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

And Chicago is under 5000. That's how averages work. High School football games in Texas draw more than SD Wave.

Growing, not booming.

And Houston Dynamo (A MLS Team) averages 15000
https://soccerstadiumdigest.com/2023-mls-attendance/

Booming + proven that several NWSL clubs average higher than MLS attendance.

How many NWSL teams own their own stadiums? Do any own stadiums that even approach MLS stadiums? Owning the building generates revenue, when the wave get a huge number, SDSU benefits as much as the team

MLS implemented a homegrown rule in 2008. How many MLS teams had their own stadium in 2008?

Does that really matter? Unless there is political appetite to subsidize NWSL stadiums, NWSL teams will have an impossible task generating the kind of revenue that MLS teams expect

You mean like this?
https://equalizersoccer.com/2024/03/09/kansas-citys-new-stadium-is-another-sign-of-the-nwsls-rising-standards/

It seats 11,500. The MLS stadium in Kansas city seats 18,500

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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

And Chicago is under 5000. That's how averages work. High School football games in Texas draw more than SD Wave.

Growing, not booming.

And Houston Dynamo (A MLS Team) averages 15000
https://soccerstadiumdigest.com/2023-mls-attendance/

Booming + proven that several NWSL clubs average higher than MLS attendance.

How many NWSL teams own their own stadiums? Do any own stadiums that even approach MLS stadiums? Owning the building generates revenue, when the wave get a huge number, SDSU benefits as much as the team

MLS implemented a homegrown rule in 2008. How many MLS teams had their own stadium in 2008?

Does that really matter? Unless there is political appetite to subsidize NWSL stadiums, NWSL teams will have an impossible task generating the kind of revenue that MLS teams expect

You mean like this?
https://equalizersoccer.com/2024/03/09/kansas-citys-new-stadium-is-another-sign-of-the-nwsls-rising-standards/

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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

And Chicago is under 5000. That's how averages work. High School football games in Texas draw more than SD Wave.

Growing, not booming.

And Houston Dynamo (A MLS Team) averages 15000
https://soccerstadiumdigest.com/2023-mls-attendance/

Booming + proven that several NWSL clubs average higher than MLS attendance.

How many NWSL teams own their own stadiums? Do any own stadiums that even approach MLS stadiums? Owning the building generates revenue, when the wave get a huge number, SDSU benefits as much as the team

MLS implemented a homegrown rule in 2008. How many MLS teams had their own stadium in 2008?

Does that really matter? Unless there is political appetite to subsidize NWSL stadiums, NWSL teams will have an impossible task generating the kind of revenue that MLS teams expect

It matters because NWSL is at the same point in 2024 that MLS was in 2008.

This is why Jessica Berman is talking about "investing in youth" it's also why they'll likely implement some form of Academy soon.

Assuming NWSL's trajectory is correlated and linear that means they 16 years behind MLS right now. Which would put a pay for play Academy system in place in about ten years from now, which for MLS might not have happened if not for DA. DC United was one of the last academies to go fully funded a few years ago.

So NWSL is about 12 years away from a fully funded professional academy system. Which I hope happens, but there is no world in which I am placing my kid in any club next year based on any hoped for acceleration of that process. When it does happen it will still be a slow build.

There will be nothing of use for 5 years and there will likely be discussions and planning 5-10 years from now. And that is assuming everything goes smoothly and steadily.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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

And Chicago is under 5000. That's how averages work. High School football games in Texas draw more than SD Wave.

Growing, not booming.

And Houston Dynamo (A MLS Team) averages 15000
https://soccerstadiumdigest.com/2023-mls-attendance/

Booming + proven that several NWSL clubs average higher than MLS attendance.

How many NWSL teams own their own stadiums? Do any own stadiums that even approach MLS stadiums? Owning the building generates revenue, when the wave get a huge number, SDSU benefits as much as the team

MLS implemented a homegrown rule in 2008. How many MLS teams had their own stadium in 2008?

Toma! Got you with that one. Also NWSL is currently a Top 5 league in the women's game with Spain, England, Germany, and French women's leagues, while MLS may be in the top 10-15 on men's side with absolutely no chance to ever crack top 5. NWSL and women's game is higly popular in the US hence tv deal, and comparing it to MLS is proably not helpful except for youth league developments because they are already vastly different in popularity globally. NWSL will do everything faster, because infrastructure from MLS is already in place and because US women's soccer is respected globally. Making money is secondary for most sport owners, so the money is not concerning me yet. They will need to improve salaries sooner rather than later though to ensure their growth remains exponential