Clarksville's Bright Soccer Future
Considering previously published budget data, it's reasonable to assume the Govs will have a hockey presence in one form or another at the new F&M Bank Arena.
That’s more great news for "America's Best Place to Live" as community leadership continues to create excitement for locals while also developing ties with new residents. Describing anticipation of the arena's opening as local buzz is simply an understatement. With two sports operating, the annual basketball and hockey seasons would run parallel through the late fall and winter months – helping to shake off the winter blues for fans while driving business revenue in the downtown area.
So, what about local sports entertainment options for spring and summer seasons?
The belief of sports entertainment bringing a community together and complimenting the local food and beverage industry is not unique to this area. If you are skeptical, it's important to remember the current absence of spring and summer sporting options are not because of a lack of historical efforts. Clarksville's list of attempts at minor league baseball franchises is a lengthy list: Grays, Vols, Colts, Villagers, Billies, Rebels, Boosters, Owls and, more recently, the Coyotes. Why pout about those past teams not sticking for the long term? We’re extremely fortunate to have an excellent baseball program at APSU. A team that not only entertains at a high-level but also gives close-up access to some of the most talented players in the country. Count your blessings and check-out a Govs game during 2022. That professional opening of the calendar creates an interesting alternative option to traditional sports – especially when considering our area’s growing fascination with “the beautiful game”.
During the past several years, a noticeable shift has occurred within youth league enrollments of baseball, football, basketball, and soccer. And during that shift, Montgomery County has developed a solid reputation among regional neighbors as a welcoming community for a blossoming soccer culture. This new love of soccer opens the door to discussion about spring and summer entertainment options beyond minor league baseball. Let's start with reviewing the tiers of American soccer leagues.
Overview of the US Professional Soccer Levels:
Major League Soccer: Elite professional talent, large metros like Nashville TN, Los Angeles CA, NYC, Chicago IL and Dallas TX. This is the top league for American soccer.
USL Championship: Advanced and rising elite professional talent, major to mid-major cities like Las Vegas NV, Pittsburgh PA, Charlotte NC and Memphis TN
MLS NEXT: A newly announced league began operating in 2022 and plays at the development level between USL League One and USL League Two.
USL League One: Rising advanced and elite professional talent, smaller cities like Chattanooga TN, Tucson AZ, Richmond VA and Fort Lauderdale FL
USL League Two: Stepping-stone for rising advanced and elite talent. Mostly in smaller cities like Columbia SC, Green Bay WI, Savannah GA or a secondary club in larger cities like New York, Atlanta, Houston, or Chicago. There is even a team at The Villages FL– Yes, you read that right.
NPSL: One of the largest established men’s soccer leagues in the United States with over 90 teams competing across the country. The teams, comprised of both paid and amateur athletes, with teams in metros such as Dallas TX, St Louis MO, and Huntsville AL.
A best practice, in any situation, is an awareness of baseline prerequisites or benchmarks. Recently the USL spokesperson, Ryan Madden, was quoted as saying USL League Two looks for three factors in expansion clubs:
- professional venue
- strong local appetite for soccer
- committed local ownership group
Fittingly enough, Clarksville checks 2 of the 3 boxes regarding USL2 preferences. As an overview, United Soccer League’s League Two is an advanced-skills developmental league focusing on elite high school and college-aged players who are on a professional track. Since 2010, approximately 70% of all MLS SuperDraft picks have League Two experience. In a nutshell, it’s a high-quality developmental game currently supported by both the USL and MLS.
How do USL League Two's 3 factors apply locally?
A professional venue is found at the heart of APSU's campus. Fortera Stadium is a recently renovated stadium with a comfortable capacity of 10,000 complimented by 13 skyboxes and stylish locker room areas that surpass many USL League Two facilities. The construction of the field's drainage system would create potential obstacles, but those have been overcome at other locations.
Pros: newly renovated stadium, attractive campus setting, promotional opportunities for APSU, additional tenant to help finance maintenance of the stadium
Cons: Size. The stadium is large when compared to potential crowds of 1-3k. Limited walkability for tailgating or restaurants
Is there an appetite for soccer?
The shift in local participation of soccer is visibly noticeable throughout Montgomery County. Whether its Heritage Park Soccer Complex having activity at all hours of the day (and some past sundown) or the interests in pursuing larger projects such as a marquee statewide soccer park and training facility, the interest is unmistakably clear. The sports community has embraced and cultivated a structure of resources with groups such as The Montgomery County Soccer Association to guide and manage the game's growth locally. These established and progressive foundational partners are focused on building the sport's engagement with fans of all ages - especially those found in the younger demographics. There's no reason to expect a change in their positive results during the next decade.
Pros: youth league enrollments, middle and high school level interest, successful traveling teams, greater opportunities for adult leagues and local promotions by Nashville SC
Cons: highest level of interest is with the 18 and under crowd - disposal income questions, unknown reaction to high-level soccer in the community, Clarksville's sprawl may be a deterrent towards traveling to Fortera Stadium regularly. Is Fortera's field surface adaptable for a team
Is ownership an obstacle?
In minor league sports, there are countless opportunities to purchase teams for as little as $500k. If that expense seems too high, multiple options for partnerships still exist. There are even minor-league baseball teams with 100+ owners. Prospective owners may find another route with franchise partnerships, including fund management groups such as Manhattan Capital Sports Acquisition. MCSA's fund currently owns teams in Reno and Bowling Green while openly expressing interest in further ownership opportunities.
We're talking soccer, right? Soccer is hot as investors seek to benefit from the sport’s increased popularity in the states. The initial franchise fee for USL League Two teams is rumored to be in the $75k - $100k range with financing options available. The USL has restructured their multi-league finances and kept investment numbers close to the vest. As of 2019, an average USL League Two franchise annual operating budget was expected to be $100k - $200k with league administrative and affiliation fees varying from league to league.
One major difference for USL League Two? The payroll is dramatically reduced due to the player pay status. USL’s League Two is an unpaid developmental league. Each team consists of elite high school players or college players on summer break. Like any developmental league, this is the first step for several of the athletes who make it to the highest professional levels with the benefit of their players not losing college eligibility.
A second option would be the National Premier Soccer League. A league of 100 teams but holding a much lower profile. The NPSL expansion fee of $20k is a significant difference when considering the USL League Two's financial structure.
Beyond financing, it is important for a potential ownership group to cultivate a strong relationship with city government, business leaders and residents. City governments can be valuable to assist teams with securing good deals on stadium leases and can provide support for team events. Ties with business leaders are vital to garnering much-needed sponsorships for a franchise. And those community residents with good feelings about a team are important for selling tickets, souvenirs, and winning sponsorships.
Ongoing expansion continues for the soccer leagues of MLS, USL and NPSL. Each will continue to expand and manage the process carefully, with or without cities like Clarksville. A glance at professional sports leagues shows several cities, including a few of the larger ones, which may not hold a league’s preferred mix of population and geographic location to support a team. This example shows an ability to generate attendance will not be the only factor taken into consideration for expansion, but it will certainly be one of the primary factors.
The quickly expanding world of American soccer appears to be a perfect match for the demographics and growth pattern of a city such as Clarksville. That partnership potential for a “win” extends to the city, APSU and residents. The only question remaining is a big one. Do those community “wins” extend to an ownership group's investment?