Soccer Popularization Strategies

SOCCER POPULARIZATION STRATEGIES
Name
Institution
Date

Soccer Popularization Strategies
Soccer is a major world game that has found popularity among fans all over the world. Bundesliga, La Liga, and EPL are amongst the most popular soccer leagues in the world. However, Major League Soccer (MLS) has not gained popularity among Americans despite soccer being a key sport (Brownlee & Lorgnier, 2017). The majority of Americans view soccer as pompous, violent, and vulgar. The current paper discusses two strategies that Don Garber may utilize to make soccer in the US familiar.
The MLS should adopt a commercial mindset in American soccer. By this, soccer players should be able to showcase their talents and develop their skills. Major teams such as LA Galaxy will be able to blend the homegrown talents with those that are internationally outsourced. The outsourcing will include new experienced coaches and players from outside the US, for instance, English, Italian, and French persons. La Galaxy among other major teams will increase their values to more than $4 billion due to the increased fan base. Additionally, availing match days for free viewing over major televisions will boost the popularity of American soccer.
Don Garber and his team should ensure MLS engages teams outside the US. A defeat of a non-American team will increase soccer popularity among the Americans. The strategy has worked for the EPL such that English teams usually compete with other European major leagues such as Serie A and La Liga.

Conclusively, MLS has a chance of improving the popularity of American soccer through the leadership of Don Garber. Adopting an entrepreneurial culture will improve the value of major teams such as LA Galaxy while improving American soccer popularity. Engaging non-American teams will help in creating more soccer fan base, especially if American teams will win over their rivals.
References
Brownlee, E., & Lorgnier, N. (2017). A case study of Major League Soccer. Routledge Handbook of Football Marketing, 73.