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SGMA Gathers Soccer Leaders To Discuss Major Off-the-Field Issues

Date: 1/19/10

SILVER SPRING, MD – January 19, 2010 – Soccer Viewership Ratings on Television, High School Soccer Rules, and Soccer Participation in the United States. Those were just a few of the many topics which were addressed last week during the annual meeting of SGMA’s Soccer Industry Council of America (SICA).  The meeting took place during this year’s National Soccer Coaches Association of America convention in Philadelphia.

According to SGMA’s VJ Mayor, interest in the business issues of the sport which ultimately affect participation in the sport, attract the attention of all soccer companies – from those small companies which make a handful of accessories to the larger companies which produce team uniforms, cleats, and soccer balls.  Companies in attendance included Brine, Eurosport, Goal Sporting Goods, Keeper Goals, Kwik Goal, Nike, Puma, Rage Cage, PK Perfecter, Reusch, Superfeet, Under Armour, and Xara.

The featured speakers included the following individuals:

Future of Soccer Coverage on Fox
Dermot McQuarrie (assistant general manager/senior vice president of production & programming; Fox Sports International) – McQuarrie said World Cup ratings this summer are expected to be strong because recent viewership numbers for Champions League and English Premier League games have been strong.

National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Update                     
Mark Koski (assistant director; National Federation of State High School Associations) – Koski explained how rules changes for soccer are eventually made and implemented; he reminded those in attendance about the role and importance of the annual rules meeting which is coordinated by the NFHS, NCAA, and SGMA which is open to sporting goods manufacturers on April 21 in Indianapolis.

US Soccer Foundation News
Dave Tyahla (director of government relations; US Soccer) presented an update on the  newsworthy developments from U.S. Soccer  and he informed those in attendance about the work of the Congressional Soccer Caucus on Capitol Hill.

Mayor also discussed the issue of the Consumer Product Safety Information Act (CPSIA) and how it relates to the soccer industry; he gave an update on SGMA’s latest sports participation study with specific emphasis on both indoor and outdoor soccer; he reminded the attendees about SGMA’s outreach efforts to acquire sales figures for the annual State of the Industry address; and he informed those in attendance as well as those exhibiting about the creation of a SGMA sub-site for SICA Members which will be created in the spring of 2010.