Turning Pro at 13

MarkM said:
I'm sure she is spectacular for her age, but I've never seen her really stand out in DA games at u16/u17. Maybe a half dozen players on her own team look as good or better. The comparison is a little unfair because she is so young, but I think that shows why this is so vastly premature.

I think these arrangements with Nike create a lot of conflicts of interest with US Soccer. Nike dumps a lot of money into women's soccer, which is great. But Nike's marketing team shouldn't dictate national team players, which this type of thing tacitly does.
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but she is u14. so it takes two/three years older for her to blend that is pretty darn good
 
jose said:
but she is u14. so it takes two/three years older for her to blend that is pretty darn good
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I would say that she is much better than "pretty darn good." She is a unicorn for her age. But that's not the question anymore. She is a pro, so we should compare her against other pros. How does she stack up against pros?
 
LASTMAN14 said:
A good friend actually forwarded that article to me. It appears AS just plays regular old club. And has little fanfare in comparison. But has achieved a great deal.
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Yes. As has JH in Canada. 16/17 is a more appropriate age to be making the pro/college decision (Pugh, Horan, etc.). No need to take options off the table until a decision must be made (H.S. graduation). That's just sound business advice 101. Have confidence in your skills and ability. The money will be there. Especially if you're going to be "the best in the World."

https://edmontonjournal.com/sports/...-pro/wcm/1ebdd2c9-8cfb-4ca3-a597-0223c8d4b996
 
oh canada said:
Yes. As has JH in Canada. 16/17 is a more appropriate age to be making the pro/college decision (Pugh, Horan, etc.). No need to take options off the table until a decision must be made (H.S. graduation). That's just sound business advice 101. Have confidence in your skills and ability. The money will be there. Especially if you're going to be "the best in the World."

https://edmontonjournal.com/sports/...-pro/wcm/1ebdd2c9-8cfb-4ca3-a597-0223c8d4b996
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Didn't even think about Whitecaps having a girls program. Wonder why they don't play DA similar to the boys side?
 
oh canada said:
Yes. As has JH in Canada. 16/17 is a more appropriate age to be making the pro/college decision (Pugh, Horan, etc.). No need to take options off the table until a decision must be made (H.S. graduation). That's just sound business advice 101. Have confidence in your skills and ability. The money will be there. Especially if you're going to be "the best in the World."

https://edmontonjournal.com/sports/...-pro/wcm/1ebdd2c9-8cfb-4ca3-a597-0223c8d4b996
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How do you know the money will be there? Injuries happen. Abilities fade - especially with puberty. If the question is over taking a little money now and forgoing college, that would be a mistake in my book, but this is not what's happening here. Sound business advice 101 is pretty clear. If you are offered a deal at the age of 13 that pays more than your college tuition, do it. You literally have nothing to lose.
 
focomoso said:
How do you know the money will be there? Injuries happen. Abilities fade - especially with puberty. If the question is over taking a little money now and forgoing college, that would be a mistake in my book, but this is not what's happening here. Sound business advice 101 is pretty clear. If you are offered a deal at the age of 13 that pays more than your college tuition, do it. You literally have nothing to lose.
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Actually, you "literally" are losing something...free college and the ability to play college soccer. Yes, players can go to college later but it won't be free. So, in order to come out ahead financially, your deal needs to be worth well more than 4years of college in AFTER tax dollars (subtract 40-50%). That might be the right choice for some who don't plan to go to college. I just think most prudent (and rationale) parents put off that decision until it has to be made...at 17/18 years old. Alex Morgan reportedly earns $3MM/year in endorsement deals from a MULTITUDE of companies, not just Nike. Coke, McDonald's, Nationwide, etc. If her Nike deal is worth $500K annually then other USWNT player Nike deals are likely in the $250-300K range. That means this deal is likely $100-$200K. After tax that's $70-140K. Parents are doing this deal not for the money (they look financially secure in their self-promo videos), but for the added clickbait and PR for their child. Sounds like the kid just wants to play soccer...you go girl. The parents, however, are motivated by other desires.
 
focomoso said:
How do you know the money will be there? Injuries happen. Abilities fade - especially with puberty. If the question is over taking a little money now and forgoing college, that would be a mistake in my book, but this is not what's happening here. Sound business advice 101 is pretty clear. If you are offered a deal at the age of 13 that pays more than your college tuition, do it. You literally have nothing to lose.
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I do not think it is about the money. I think it’s about putting her in an environment where she can maximize her potential.
When you look at teams in Europe going pro at this age is common for men and women. If it worked for Messi, it could work for Olivia too,
Sure, there is a chance that she will fail and not meet her goal. But I think the probability of her failing by not maximizing her potential in her current environment is higher.
So, in this case 100% worth the risk.
 
oh canada said:
Actually, you "literally" are losing something...free college and the ability to play college soccer. Yes, players can go to college later but it won't be free. So, in order to come out ahead financially, your deal needs to be worth well more than 4years of college in AFTER tax dollars (subtract 40-50%).
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All reporting I've seen has said that the deal is worth more than college tuition - which is why I see it as a no brainer.
 
MacDre said:
I do not think it is about the money. I think it’s about putting her in an environment where she can maximize her potential.
When you look at teams in Europe going pro at this age is common for men and women. If it worked for Messi, it could work for Olivia too,
Sure, there is a chance that she will fail and not meet her goal. But I think the probability of her failing by not maximizing her potential in her current environment is higher.
So, in this case 100% worth the risk.
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Except that she isn't "going pro" in the sense of joining a pro team. Her environment isn't changing. She's still playing in a regular DA (though a couple of years up), exactly the same as if she were amateur. She's turning pro in the sense of getting paid by Nike to endorse their products.
 
oh canada said:
Actually, you "literally" are losing something...free college and the ability to play college soccer. Yes, players can go to college later but it won't be free. So, in order to come out ahead financially, your deal needs to be worth well more than 4years of college in AFTER tax dollars (subtract 40-50%). That might be the right choice for some who don't plan to go to college. I just think most prudent (and rationale) parents put off that decision until it has to be made...at 17/18 years old. Alex Morgan reportedly earns $3MM/year in endorsement deals from a MULTITUDE of companies, not just Nike. Coke, McDonald's, Nationwide, etc. If her Nike deal is worth $500K annually then other USWNT player Nike deals are likely in the $250-300K range. That means this deal is likely $100-$200K. After tax that's $70-140K. Parents are doing this deal not for the money (they look financially secure in their self-promo videos), but for the added clickbait and PR for their child. Sounds like the kid just wants to play soccer...you go girl. The parents, however, are motivated by other desires.
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What about development? How can she get better in an environment where she is the best? It’s the environment they’re after!
 
focomoso said:
Except that she isn't "going pro" in the sense of joining a pro team. Her environment isn't changing. She's still playing in a regular DA (though a couple of years up), exactly the same as if she were amateur. She's turning pro in the sense of getting paid by Nike to endorse their products.
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What about training? Access to professionals coaches and athletes? Did anyone see Efraín Álvarez play for the Galaxy the other night?
 
Calisoccer11 said:
Hmmm -I'm thinking this is a good move for Nike and I wouldn't be surprised if this girl becomes the face of the new Nike line geared towards the tweens. The athleisure wear industry is huge - I'm sure many here on this forum has spent over $100 on lululemon leggings for their 13 year old- I'm not alone, right, right?!!! Athleta has a line specifically targeted for this age group and while the big names - Nike, Adidas, Under Armour, etc...have gear for this age group, it's not huge...yet. Good for this girl and I hope this gets her closer to achieving her dreams/goals all while putting cash in the bank!!
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Bingo!
 
oh canada said:
Actually, you "literally" are losing something...free college and the ability to play college soccer. Yes, players can go to college later but it won't be free. So, in order to come out ahead financially, your deal needs to be worth well more than 4years of college in AFTER tax dollars (subtract 40-50%). That might be the right choice for some who don't plan to go to college. I just think most prudent (and rationale) parents put off that decision until it has to be made...at 17/18 years old. Alex Morgan reportedly earns $3MM/year in endorsement deals from a MULTITUDE of companies, not just Nike. Coke, McDonald's, Nationwide, etc. If her Nike deal is worth $500K annually then other USWNT player Nike deals are likely in the $250-300K range. That means this deal is likely $100-$200K. After tax that's $70-140K. Parents are doing this deal not for the money (they look financially secure in their self-promo videos), but for the added clickbait and PR for their child. Sounds like the kid just wants to play soccer...you go girl. The parents, however, are motivated by other desires.
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Under the Coogan Act (California Family Code Sections 6750–53 and California Labor Code Section 1700.37), 15% of her gross earnings are held in a trust account until she is an adult, paid into the account directly by her employer. The rest of the money can go to agents, managers, trainers, expenses, etc, at the direction of her parents.
 
focomoso said:
All reporting I've seen has said that the deal is worth more than college tuition - which is why I see it as a no brainer.
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The general rule of thumb for athletes bypassing a college scholarship for a pro contract is that it has to be "life changing money". Heck, even Tiger Woods spent a year at Stanford...
 
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