Ahead of the World Cup returning to the U.S., there are plans to establish a second-tier soccer league by 2027. The United Soccer League, which currently manages multiple levels of soccer competition in the U.S., envisions creating a Division 1 league. However, the structure faces challenges such as financial viability, attendance criteria, and the need for significant market expansion. Experts emphasize the complexities associated with launching an additional league in an already competitive national sports market.
"It's something that we've been working on and talking about," said Paul McDonough, the president and chief soccer officer of the United Soccer League, which manages more than 180 mens' teams on three levels of the U.S. Soccer pyramid, from the second-tier USL Championship to the semi-pro USL League 2.
"Notwithstanding the potential for two leagues to exist, it would be a pretty big task to make it work financially," said Steven A. Bank, the Paul Hastings professor of business law at UCLA and an expert on soccer finances. "The national media market for U.S. pro sports is already saturated and ticket sales remain a critical revenue source."
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