Big clubs could actually be the hardest off. Run a big tournament? Most tournaments are refunding most if not all of their registrations, and hotel/vendor revenues are also up in smoke. One event could bring in +$100k and that's all gone. Some clubs run multiple events in the spring so you could double or possibly triple that. $200k or so might be a drop in the bucket for a big company but for a small business that could be a death sentence. Tryouts for some clubs come with a fee. Say its $20 a player. At some big clubs say 400 players try out. $8k totally up in the air right now ballpark figure. That could be a months worth of facility payments or for a smaller club a months payroll. Most clubs also use registrations for next year to lay down deposits for programming. These registrations normally begin to come in May and almost immediately go out. With the uncertainty in the future I'm sure the smart clubs are pinching pennies now in order to be able to hit those deposits on time and ensure/ease their existence next year. I think between the lost revenue, expenses, and the total uncertainty of the future would have a big club sweating hard. The smaller clubs likely have a more immediate existential threat but the bigger clubs, carrying bigger expenses, have to be just as worried about their longevity. Cutting expenses now is the easiest way to ensure that. Can't cut facility payments or refunds, but you can layoff staff. They'll be the first to go.
Why can't you re-negotiate/cut facility payments, or negotiate or withhold refunds? I guess maybe this isn't that big a surprise, printing presses are spooling up at the treasury and unemployment benefits will get a lot of people through this. As long as the gov't is getting ready to bail everyone out, why not let the gov't cover your payroll for a while. May not be a good way to win loyalty, but if it has to be done...
"They will not be able to pay contracted employees for the foreseeable future" What does that mean ya think?
I take it as no one knows when soccer can resume so they have no idea when the contractual workers can start providing their services again. I know of other agencies that have laid off all their part time staff and one that sent home lower level full time staff until June 2. Those FT staff have to use all their vacation and sick time and then will not be paid once they run out.
Not related to above - just heard today that the Sockers keeper coach was let go as early as December/January and that BC was running keeper training. What's up with that?
What does “BIG layoffs in Palatine” mean? Are you talking Sockers or the organization in which Sockers (presumably) is under...ie Richardson family enterprises (don’t know their corporate name). Are you talking about a community club there? Little Kickers staff and/or Soccer City staff? NISL staff? Or are you trying to infer it’s Sockers coaches? And by BIG you mean how many? Re: Sockers GK Coach - this has been brought up many times and it’s always confused me. There’s the shorter guy (don’t know his name) who played professionally in Brazil and Mexico and Pedro. Heard the head Gk coach left awhile ago. Not a big deal but there’s multiple great GK coaches from what I’ve been told and BC heading it up just sounds like irresponsible rumor mongering to be honest.
Well seems confirmed by Hicat... Well that explains the issues with keeper trainings being non existent. I won't get into who is getting laid off - that's not really fair but I will say less then what I had heard initially from a crazy parent who needed a bit of assistance figuring out an email that was sent from one of the coaches who was let go. That said - BC was running keeper training and training for sure - not a "irresponsible rumor" at all. I know some keepers who have signed to play for other clubs come May in MRL. So bad enough that they are leaving mid season. But maybe since these are PA players they do not care? Sure seems that's the feel of a few parents on the girls side. My oldest was a keeper when Albert was the only show in town that Sockers had - and he was a fantastic coach and person. She also went through Neil - as did my younest for 2 seasons. Seems like they have struggled since Neil departed and every parent I know was not happy about that.
Was wondering why we lost some gk's and Olympic no longer looking like a Sockers GK factory. <facepalming>
We had zero GK training sessions right around the 2 months Volk said he left during winter training. That changed around February and we were fully scheduled up until the stay at home stuff.
And for those wondering about payments. "Regarding any payment of fees already received by the Sockers FC for programs not completed by any club, team or players will be credited towards any future fees."
That is truly amazing. I hope they don’t have to lay off staff to give parents refunds. I don’t know about Sockers but I have to imagine most players’ families are in a better financial spot than club employees. We’re getting a specific, weekly training plan from the club. Honestly I’ve been happy with the added structure for my kids and they are staying in shape. Not the same value as normal club training but I’m appreciative.
Had another coach friend reach out today. He got laid off from a "reputable" club in the west burbs. Says the whole staff got the axe until play resumes. Honestly it puts all this squabbling into perspective. COVID isn't going to stop soccer but its definitely going to change it. Not just in Chicagoland. Hope everyone is staying healthy.
Ugh..... so sad and I can’t see the season (or tryouts for that matter) happening anytime before July. And even then... And so so so many people in this position (laid off). Sad.
Heard they expect this to come back around in Fall. We should be better prepared but man that would really stink!
Decided last night to write off the season, come up with training strategy for my kid from now until fall... will be a long haul for him. I wonder if this current situation can be cause for a possible change in the entire youth soccer landscape? Lots of parents and players will be forced to find other solutions long term. I'm thinking specifically for h.s. aged kids, for obvious financial reasons and maybe just to get off the merrygoround? What if... what if you have enough of an exodus of quality players and coached to the h.s. soccer realm? Just spitballing... Would it be in bad taste to reach out to coach and offer to pay for some private lessons plus a training plan long term?
If you are going to go with private training I would look outside Sockers for a different approach/style that will help him overall. DM me - I know a few guys that are really good.
I have heard that budgets for D1 schools has been slashed significantly which would impact scholarships and programs in general. Apparently there is talk of no NCAA Fall sports. Wonder how this in turn might impact the DA program. Obviously, nothing is more valuable than health and safety of our friends, family and communities, so in the big picture, the lack of sports and such are not the most concerning.
I would bet, at minimum, this changes the landscape quite a bit in regards to player movement. Coaches will be let go or leave clubs and that will have cascading effects. Many kids probably won’t have the option to play club next year due to high unemployment rate and that will effect teams which will probably inspire some to move on from a club as a result. All hypotheticals. Here’s the positive I’m hoping for... -online education as a part of player development. This isn’t that difficult and once a content library is established it will be smooth sailing. I think this an help kids of all ages tremendously see the game in another context and positively augment on field training. -Have parents relax a bit and see relationships with their children differently. Recognize (for many) that improving their kids is borderline obsession and maybe, just maybe, to focus on being with them as they are and understand if they’re going to be awesome that is up to them and them alone. (Nah...who am I kidding)
What to do.... I mean I get keeping coaches employed and staying in the good graces - but what happens when a parent has to decide whether it's food on their table or a payment for no service. Not a Sockers jam - could be said for any club at this point. I guess the question is - does Sockers and other clubs have a plan to address this sort of scenario?