U.S. Soccer Legend Speaks

Landon Donovan: Professional sports in the United States have become "very corporate"

Landon Donovan: Professional sports in the United States have become "very corporate"
Courtesy: San Diego Loyal Soccer Club

Three-time FIFA World Cup participant with the United States, former Premier League midfielder and six-time MLS Cup Champion Landon Donovan joined Soccer Matters with Glenn Davis earlier this week. The U.S. Soccer Legend spoke on his involvement with 2020 USL Championship (2nd tier) expansion side San Diego Loyal Soccer Club, including his upcoming debut as a coach at the professional level.

"In order for this to be successful, we have to make this the community's team and, the way you do that, is by allowing them to be part of the process and really listening to what they want," said Donovan.

"In sports these days, in professional sports in our country - anyway you slice it - it's become very corporate," continued Donovan. "It's about what sponsorships you can get, how do you fill the seats, how do you maximize revenue. And I think people now, and I'm a big sports fan too, we all know that.... and we've kind of gotten away from the customer."

"We went out, we had twelve listening sessions with over 500 people in San Diego," added Donovan on the process of launching his expansion team. "We had teachers, we had surf community, we had the beer community, we had the business community that we listened to, soccer fans obviously, military, artists. We just talked to a bunch of different people about what San Diego is to them and what do they care about and want in a professional sports franchise. And over, and over, and over the world loyal kept coming up."

The interview can be listened to in its entirety on the "Glenn Davis Soccer" podcast on iTunes, Google Podcasts and Podcast Arena.com/SoccerMatters.

Soccer Matters with Glenn Davis airs every Tuesday, 7 p.m. central , on ESPN 97.5 FM.

Most Popular

SportsMap Emails
Are Awesome

Listen Live

ESPN Houston 97.5 FM
These Astros stars could be on the move. Composite Getty Image.

With reports now flooding in about the possibility of the Astros trading Kyle Tucker and/or Framber Valdez this offseason, we have to consider this a real possibility.

With that in mind, what should the Astros expect in return? And what would these trades mean for the Astros' chances to compete in 2025 and beyond?

Be sure to watch the video above as ESPN Houston's Joe George and Paul Gallant share their thoughts!

SportsMap Emails
Are Awesome