Is U.S. Youth Soccer a Money-Making Scheme?

Probably the most frequent comment we get around our content is an observation to the effect that the system is “all about the money”.  This ties into a real concern about accessibility, since as we’ve written, the cost of participating in a high-level travel team program can range from $5 – $10k or more, depending on what you include in the total.  This is a real issue and problem for many families, even though there are some options and programs emerging to address it (such as scholarships or subsidized leagues).  Many have also speculated that it’s a problem for U.S. soccer writ large – a primary explanation for why at the top levels – pro and (men’s) national team, the country just can’t seem to break into the top tier.

All that duly noted, it seems to me that implicit in these comments (complaints really) is the idea that “someone” is profiteering and making boatloads of cash at the expense of promising, less-privileged kids who are left out.  By and large, I think this is wrong.  The problem, it seems to me, is fundamentally how the U.S. youth system is structured and financed.  I don’t see that there’s any group financially benefiting systematically.  It’s more like a Hunger Games scenario. To my knowledge, the semi-professional (working second gigs) and professional coaching ranks are not earning huge salaries.  Referees are not paid enough for them to be in it for much more than love of the game. And the whole system is buttressed by a lot of volunteers, mainly parents.

It takes money to operate clubs and leagues.  That’s just an obvious reality.  As things stand, they are dependent on charging parents – otherwise, how will coaches and other key expenses get paid?  If players (parents) don’t supply that revenue stream, who will?  In Europe, families pay far less because the system gets financing from professional clubs (there are a lot of them), UEFA “solidarity payments” to clubs for youth development, government/municipal support, community (non-parent) membership programs/fees, community fundraising efforts and local business sponsorships.  The net result is that parents only foot about 15% of the total costs.  I don’t know the exact corresponding percentage in the U.S. but it is likely over 75%.

So, how can our U.S. system evolve to resemble Europe to a greater degree?  For one thing, I’d go back to the reason we founded U.S. Soccer Parent in the first place – our soccer “system” is a convoluted mess, and not due to profiteering. I’d like to see the conversation move beyond kvetching into ideating and organizing (funds, sponsorship sales, lobbying for municipal grants, etc), and hopefully we can help be a catalyst for such constructive efforts.  If you have thoughts, or are working on these types of alternative funding mechanisms, please share the info.  Let’s help each other!