Who Remains At GPS?
The future of one of the largest youth soccer affiliate programs may be in question. The deal with GPS was FC Bayern’s first partnership outside of Germany.
Read the latest UPDATE ON GLOBAL PREMIER SOCCER: GPS MOVES FORWARD
Global Premier Soccer (GPS) and FC Bayern partnered in 2014 and it was a groundbreaking event in the American youth soccer landscape. Considered one of the most prestigious European club partnerships at that time, it signified Europes’ awakening to the American youth soccer market, its the desire to help provide player development leadership, and to monetize soccer’s growth in the USA.
Just recently, trouble at GPS has erupted and left those managing approximately 100,000 players across 27 states who wear the FC Bayern logo wondering what will happen.
Hundreds of elite youth soccer players have visited Germany to experience training under the GPS partnership with FC Bayern.
READ: New Announcement Today – KEITH CALDWELL TAKES OVER AS CEO OF GPS
With investigations into getting visa’s for people to work in the USA and having employees report on Glassdoor that they were treated like slaves, there have been reports of trouble with GPS for months.
Long-time GPS Director of Coaching Peter Bradley could not be reached for comment and although Joe Bradley was still listed as CEO on the GPS site on January 21st, his Linked In linked to International Development Academy.
Regardless of any changes at GPS, FC Bayern has confirmed there is still a normal working contract between the two organizations.
“We are working together and looking forward to having a summer program together.”
Sebastian Dremmler, FC Bayern – Head Coach of International Programs
FC Bayern is Germany’s most well known and successful football club.
Playing in the top tier of the Bundesliga, FC Bayern was founded in 1900 and prides itself on developing many of German’s national team players. With the familiar hashtag, #MiaSanMia, and the famous song, ‘Forever Number One’ FC Bayern has won 29 German Championships plus numerous international trophies including 5x Champions League and the UEFA Cup.
Overall, the FC Bayern – GPS program has enjoyed major success in the USA and has proven a pathway for talented American based players, and there is even a GPS Juniors Program teaching the fundamentals of soccer for 3-to 6-year-olds.
LEGACY Global Sports acquired GPS in recent years and according to
Sports Business Journal’s Company Watch, that transaction doubled Legacy’s size, and the agency projected top-line revenue approaching $100 million.
Fun Fact: America’s $17 billion youth sports market exceeds the size of the NFL’s $15 billion.
Here is a look at a GPS FC Bayern trip with comments from Sebastian Dremmler, FC Bayern – Head Coach of International Programs:
While youth soccer is not the most expensive youth sport, soccer parents do spend a considerable sum of money per child and a partnership with a famous international club like FC Bayern has been shown to make a difference in attracting players.
FC Bayern is standing by its efforts to develop players in the USA and to provide opportunities for selected players to visit their youth campus training ground.
Now the question of who takes over GPS is answered.
New Announcement Today – KEITH CALDWELL TAKES OVER AS CEO OF GPS
Now, the GPS clubs just want to know what the future will be like.
Updated 1/22/20 – This is an evolving story.
