Page 8 - The Future is Futbol_September 2022_Draft

THE FUTURE IS FÚTBOL | 2022 REPORT

Soccer is a Multi-Billion Dollar Business

Soccer is the next big opportunity for American sports and
entertainment. Fútbol is by far the most popular sport in
the world, with profits of $40 billion in 2019, twice the
worldwide revenue for American football. In addition, the
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U.S. has vaulted to the top of the list for global expansion,
in no small part because it is home to a large, diverse, and
prosperous population. In 2019, the 27 Major League Soccer
(MLS) teams collectively had a fair market value of almost
$15 billion. 7

Soccer's importance is multiplying in U.S. cities big and
small, from Chicago to Austin, which have become ground
zero for sparking growth with more diversity, including more
women in the stands. The sports entertainment business
overall appears especially poised for a swift, multicultural
and female-led expansion.

Famous athletes and Hollywood personalities are
galvanizing soccer's pop culture influence. The current
roster of MLS owners includes NFL quarterback Patrick
Mahomes, former NBA star Magic Johnson, and former
MLB All-Star Nomar Garciaparra, world-renowned soccer
champion; Olympic and World soccer champion Mia Hamm;
and actors Will Ferrell, Matthew McConaughey, and Reese
Witherspoon.
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The Los Angeles women's team, Angel City Football Club
(ACFC), was co-founded by actress Natalie Portman and
among its investors are actresses Eva Longoria and Christina
Aguilera, and singer and actress Becky G. This diverse list
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of high-profile ambassadors and influencers are raising
visibility and excitement among a new audience of soccer
fans.

Fútbol is by far the most popular sport
in the world, with revenues of $40 billion in 2019.
Source: The Economist, October 2019.

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