Even After New CEO Takes Over and Significant Changes, GPS Fails
In the wake of the huge Coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic, another major player in the youth soccer landscape closes. According to our sources, GPS is closing imminently.
Tryouts at some GPS clubs have just finished. Players have just committed — and now GPS closes its doors.
It was just a few months ago, in the pre-pandemic world, that I interviewed Keith Caldwell, the new CEO of Global Premier Soccer (GPS), and shared his positive vision for the future of this super large youth soccer organization.
Read: FC BAYERN MUNICH ON GLOBAL PREMIER SOCCER (GPS) CLOSING ITS DOORS
Earlier today, we have confirmed that Caldwell spoke with GPS coaches around the USA and informed them that the youth soccer club was closing.
Read: AVOIDING INJURY WHEN YOUTH SOCCER PLAYERS RETURN TO PLAY
The big question is what will all these youth soccer players and soccer coaches do after the demise of GPS? With tryouts just a few days ago, and new coaches just hired, the closure was a surprise to the youth soccer landscape. Luckily, GPS club fees were not to be paid until after July 1.
Once hailed as one of the largest and theoretically, a highly successful youth soccer organizations in the USA, GPS has tens of thousands of youths wearing jerseys with its logo. GPS also had a groundbreaking relationship with German Bundesliga giant FC Bayern.
On top of the German pro soccer table, FC Bayern has just cinched the title of Bundesliga champions 2020 and the club has a stellar reputation for player development.
While GPS touted a prestigious mission of providing an excellent development model for players with a “vertically integrated pyramid structure that takes a player from 3 years of age through to 23,” and opportunities to visit and even train in Germany, its reputation is now deeply sullied.
Last month, GPS’ parent company, Legacy Global Sports, was forced into Massachusetts Bankruptcy Court with an involuntary Chapter 7 petition by its creditors in the hockey industry on May 20, 2020. Massachusetts Bankruptcy Court case number 1:2020bk11157. This was not GPS’ first legal tussle but back in May, there were still hopes of a bright future for the youth soccer organization.
GPS has experienced a tumultuous period before Caldwell took over in late January. Previously called the “worst company ever” on Glassdoor and referred to as a “horrible company” on Indeed, GPS’ former coaches and employees telling tales of horror were not unusual.
Read: UPDATE ON GLOBAL PREMIER SOCCER: GPS MOVES FORWARD
The founders of GPS, Joe & Peter Bradley started the organization in 2001 and were out of the organization before January 2020 ended.
Updated: 6.20.20 – Headline Change
