01/21/2025
“Pay to play is not ruining youth soccer. Millions benefit. It's a business catering to a market willing to pay for the product. Soccer (like piano lessons) is not an inalienable right. Free soccer costs money. Someone has to pay. So who will pay for all this free soccer?”
This is a quote from Alexi Lalas on X last July, in response to criticism of the ‘pay to play’ soccer culture in the US.
Here’s the problem, for all the YouTube, Instagram and TikTok soccer commentators I follow, ‘pay-to-play’ is inextricably linked to the development of ‘select’ level players. Their focus and advice always dwells in the context of developing tournament winning teams or cultivating aspiring MLS Next players. If that’s your focus, then sure, playing soccer isn’t an inalienable right.
But there are some of us out here that see team sports in a MUCH WIDER CONTEXT. The reality is that the opportunity to play community team sports, at a low cost (or free), for youth in underserved areas is vital to improving both individuals and their communities. I often get frustrated at criticism of youth in underserved neighborhoods but the inability of those same critics to provide opportunities & resources for those youth to develop into good citizens.
Community, or recreational, sports isn’t about developing MLS players. It’s about developing good teammates, leaders, and empowered individuals. Statistics show the importance of community sports on academics, physical health, self-confidence, and self-esteem. The bonus is, the wider the base of recreational sports, the more opportunities exist for elite athletes from diverse backgrounds, to go on and play (and pay or get scholarships) at the ‘select’ level. For certain, I’m all for getting a few players college scholarships and into the MLS as a result!
Bottom line, we all benefit from community sports. So yes, Alexi, I think someone should pay for it.
At Empower Soccer (a program of Empower North County) we are working on ways to subsidize the costs of playing soccer for all kids in our community. Whether it be through income generating activities, sponsorships, donations, etc. We are partnering with local municipalities, who see community sports in the wider context, to provide suitable facilities. We are working with local schools to integrate sport opportunities into their community outreach. We haven’t figured it out yet. We are learning from counterparts around the country who are also taking a holistic approach to community sports. So please join us, follow along and add your thoughts.
Thanks for reading
Andrew