This
paper explains that, in the
world,
soccer is played by
nearly one billion
people and generates almost $260 billion every year; the World Cup gets an audience of nearly 36 billion people. The author points out that the recent marked increase in player salary is harming the game in the smaller markets in terms of club revenues and their inability to retain their good
players. The paper concludes that the U.S. has all the basic ingredients for the development of soccer, including players,
stadiums, and professional teams; what it now requires is for crowds to fill up the stadiums and for the rewards to be made attractive for the players. Tables. Table of Contents Background Industry Landscape Marketing Developments Soccer in the U.S.