Futbol:
First, NOBODY in American football makes $50 million/year from football. Not close. The reality is, ELITE international "futbolers" make salaries comparable to elite American footballers, for MUCH longer careers.
Second, the issue regarding choices made by parents of 8-year-olds boils down to opportunity and affordability -- in short, access.
We act like this is an either/or situation. The point is, for many elite American athletes, soccer is not a viable choice, for MANY of the same reasons baseball is no longer a viable choice for inner-city kids. The number of African American players at the EXTREMELY LUCRATIVE major league level has declined, and obviously NOT because of the $3 million/year AVERAGE salary.
This isn't about minority kids/families choosing football or basketball OVER soccer. Far more likely, the choice is made IN THE ABSENCE of soccer.
As a lower-profile sport, soccer and its supporters must make an active case to expand participation -- not just sit back and wait for it to happen.
