I recently spoke with a college coach who also coaches ECNL (which won nationals no less a year ago) and he informed me that only four of those 24 players went on to play in college and that only one of his current 17 players was committed to play next year.
The Academies - Exposing Pay-To-Play Costs: To no surprise the ECNL, like the DA, is very expensive. According to a SoccerAmerica article, one season with an ECNL team could cost anywhere from $8,000 to $10,000. That number takes into account other expenses too. To put that number into perspective, the average American salary is $56, 516 (CNBC). That means that the price to play in the ECNL is roughly 18% of one’s income. The astronomical prices shun top players away from elite leagues, hence, limiting their exposure to college coaches and professional teams. However, it is important to mention that some teams offer scholarships that cover the costs of admission.
What are your thoughts on ECNL (or the next acronym to come along that promises 'top' exposure) and the cost/value associated?
