To clarify, GCPL and TLfC are "semi-pro" teams, with only a few paid a living wage by the club and the remainder amateurs looking for a break or college students? Kind of like USL-2, but with a slightly more expansive schedule that reaches beyond summer?
In contrast, MLS-NP is a "pro team", on the level of USL League One, so the Amada U23 is their oldest academy side?
I will add that I make that distinction for the region becauae there are some parts of the country where NPSL and TLfC operate a different calendar, and aren't strictly Summer leagues. California, for example
The way that I would answer that is this. In the context of the Gulf region, USL2, NPSL, TLfC and GCPL would all be amateur/semi-pro (depends on the club) Summer leagues.
I would think of Armada U23 in the same way as Legion 2 (USL2 team). Summer developmental teams under the pro club's umbrella. But not pro players
I wish there was an easy way to understand the relative franchise and operational costs --and revenue opportunities-- of USL2 vs TLfC vs all the others, including GCPL and NPSL !
Hi! Basically USL2 is the highest standard of semipro soccer, mostly squads of D1 college players. After that, the new League for Clubs provides a cheaper path to national competition, I would say much cheaper than NPSL because of the geographic proximity they have in mind. The previous GCPL cost was 2,500 I think to play in division 1 before they merged with TLFC (the price now is higher) and now the Gulf Coast Premier League 2 is the cheapest option. I believe it's only 1,000 or so to join, there is less traveling distance and less games involved so it's very cheap! Revenue is basically dependent on sponsors, tickets, and however much clubs want to invest from youth club revenue.
I was invovled in USL2 in the past but don't know too much about it. I am not sure about franchise fee, I don't think you need it for USL 2 but I ahve heard yearly dues are around 10k per year (plus all of the other expenses of running a semiprofessional club) so it's a hefty involvement if you are not an established team with a good sponsorship infrastructure and decent attendance. That's all I could say, sorry!
Me too. I would to at least have some solid visibility to fees.
The revenue piece really depends. A club like Dothan United has excellent attendance, which should drive sponsorships higher than most peers. On the other hand, they're probably short on sales opportunities for merch. Not that the selection has been all that different than peers, but they're getting 5000 fans per game. That's probably something that was hard to figure out during the first season, as far as demand for merchandise.
To add to the GCPL, I saw BRSC Caps put something out on Facebook saying "East Division Foes" with MS Blues, Hattiesburg FC, and Invictus FC listed. Sad seeing how little info there is regarding what is the new look GCPL.
I hadn't seen them on Facebook, but that's great information. Ultimately, I know that GCPL and TLfC hope to grow this to a point where they'll have pro/rel. And at least two of those clubs (Hattiesburg and Invictus)would be new participants in this format. Hopefully GCPL will put out some formal info soon.
I am playing for Baton Rouge this summer and even for me that I am "inside" we have very little information coming from GCPL so hoping to hear from them soon. Eventually there will be pro/rel with the TLFC conference. There will be another conference with Central Louisiana, LA Krewe Rush, Shreveport United and Twins City FC or something like that from Monroe. Top two plays semifinals last weekend of June and final is July 5th at Olympia Stadium in Baton Rouge. Hope that helps!
That's great info! I have traded a couple of messages with GCPL, and they've indicated that the full schedule will be posted somewhere soon. It's good to see new clubs coming in.
To clarify, GCPL and TLfC are "semi-pro" teams, with only a few paid a living wage by the club and the remainder amateurs looking for a break or college students? Kind of like USL-2, but with a slightly more expansive schedule that reaches beyond summer?
In contrast, MLS-NP is a "pro team", on the level of USL League One, so the Amada U23 is their oldest academy side?
I will add that I make that distinction for the region becauae there are some parts of the country where NPSL and TLfC operate a different calendar, and aren't strictly Summer leagues. California, for example
The way that I would answer that is this. In the context of the Gulf region, USL2, NPSL, TLfC and GCPL would all be amateur/semi-pro (depends on the club) Summer leagues.
I would think of Armada U23 in the same way as Legion 2 (USL2 team). Summer developmental teams under the pro club's umbrella. But not pro players
I wish there was an easy way to understand the relative franchise and operational costs --and revenue opportunities-- of USL2 vs TLfC vs all the others, including GCPL and NPSL !
Hi! Basically USL2 is the highest standard of semipro soccer, mostly squads of D1 college players. After that, the new League for Clubs provides a cheaper path to national competition, I would say much cheaper than NPSL because of the geographic proximity they have in mind. The previous GCPL cost was 2,500 I think to play in division 1 before they merged with TLFC (the price now is higher) and now the Gulf Coast Premier League 2 is the cheapest option. I believe it's only 1,000 or so to join, there is less traveling distance and less games involved so it's very cheap! Revenue is basically dependent on sponsors, tickets, and however much clubs want to invest from youth club revenue.
How much is (or an estimate) the USL2 fee, and no franchise fee or territorial rights are involved?
I was invovled in USL2 in the past but don't know too much about it. I am not sure about franchise fee, I don't think you need it for USL 2 but I ahve heard yearly dues are around 10k per year (plus all of the other expenses of running a semiprofessional club) so it's a hefty involvement if you are not an established team with a good sponsorship infrastructure and decent attendance. That's all I could say, sorry!
Me too. I would to at least have some solid visibility to fees.
The revenue piece really depends. A club like Dothan United has excellent attendance, which should drive sponsorships higher than most peers. On the other hand, they're probably short on sales opportunities for merch. Not that the selection has been all that different than peers, but they're getting 5000 fans per game. That's probably something that was hard to figure out during the first season, as far as demand for merchandise.
To add to the GCPL, I saw BRSC Caps put something out on Facebook saying "East Division Foes" with MS Blues, Hattiesburg FC, and Invictus FC listed. Sad seeing how little info there is regarding what is the new look GCPL.
I hadn't seen them on Facebook, but that's great information. Ultimately, I know that GCPL and TLfC hope to grow this to a point where they'll have pro/rel. And at least two of those clubs (Hattiesburg and Invictus)would be new participants in this format. Hopefully GCPL will put out some formal info soon.
I am playing for Baton Rouge this summer and even for me that I am "inside" we have very little information coming from GCPL so hoping to hear from them soon. Eventually there will be pro/rel with the TLFC conference. There will be another conference with Central Louisiana, LA Krewe Rush, Shreveport United and Twins City FC or something like that from Monroe. Top two plays semifinals last weekend of June and final is July 5th at Olympia Stadium in Baton Rouge. Hope that helps!
That's great info! I have traded a couple of messages with GCPL, and they've indicated that the full schedule will be posted somewhere soon. It's good to see new clubs coming in.