The Privilege of Play: Why the world’s game is a white game in the U.S.

[Unregistered]

are you saying we should tell white kids they can't play soccer anymore because there is too many? Do you have a percent that is fair for white kids that can play? How would we choose which white kids can play? Who should tell the white kids that they can't play because they are white?

Like another poster said can we do this for basketball as well? Not enough white kids play basketball and that's not fair.

Plenty white kids play youth basketball.

[Unregistered]

If the kids a superstar the cost is close to nothing if they are poor.Go cry someplace else.Losers

Agreed. Was at a high-level club a couple years ago and my (white) kid was absolutely the minority....by a longshot.

Most clubs have scholarship programs (or waived fee's) for superstars. So cost isn't an issue...but I would agree that location/travel does pose a challenge.

The real cost impediment is that real estate in densely populated areas (i.e. all of Boston) is too expensive for a club (or other program) to rent for practices and games. If colleges put their money where their mouth is and gave free field rentals within the city for kids to play then that would absolutely make a difference. Instead they charge ridiculous fees so the clubs have to move farther away (i.e Lancaster, Mendon, Epping) to be able to afford land or rented fields.

[Unregistered]

If the kids a superstar the cost is close to nothing if they are poor.Go cry someplace else.Losers

Superstars, sure but even those opportunities are infrequent and often missed because families don't even know how to seek them out. And what about all the kids with potential who just can't afford it? Soccer can't create a supportive culture in this country if it's seen as some unaffordable weird sport no one plays or follows. The more kids that play and develop a passion for the game - at whatever level, rec through MLS - the better.

[Unregistered]

I'm for this person's idea!!!!! The men's national team has been pathetic forever! Please mandate that all minorities have to play soccer. That way the men's national team would have a much better chance every 4 years. Brilliant idea!

Seemed to work for France at the last World Cup in 2018...mostly minorities on their team

[Unregistered]

Plenty white kids play youth basketball.

especially organized Basketball...Black kid play basketball like South American kids play soccer

[Unregistered]

Im watching the Celtics game right now and why aren't there more white people on the Celtics? Are the Celtics racist towards white people?I am calling for a 50/50 split in basketball between white and black people. Its not fair that there are only a few white guys in the NBA!

[Unregistered]

- income and race are highly intertwined in the US. Soccer is an expensive sport to play in the US (pricey club soccer + all the travel) so only more well off families can afford it and they're more likely to be white. Although this is changing some, basketball and football is more affordable.

- High school basketball and football can still get kids noticed by colleges. In soccer you pretty much have to play club to get in front of a college coach.

- soccer isn't a popular sport with African American kids (Hispanic kids another story; for the it's about affordability). They, their friends and families follow basketball and football teams, not soccer teams. They admire top football and basketball players. They play pickup games with their friends.


Cost, exposure and popularity

White kids don’t watch soccer either. They love black culture and all it offers. They take what they want but know enough to not want to be black (just like mom and dad)&:):&08

[Unregistered]

Plenty white kids play youth basketball.

AAU = club soccer

[Unregistered]

Seemed to work for France at the last World Cup in 2018...mostly minorities on their team

And France hates them as much as Italy, US, and England except when it comes to soccer.

[Unregistered]

The system is exactly the same when it comes to education or basic life in the US. It's designed to be racists. I coached at middle school , high school and club level in the US.

[Unregistered]

Seemed to work for France at the last World Cup in 2018...mostly minorities on their team

Years of African colonialism has allowed many players to claim French descent.
They have moved into France over the last few decades, though.

[Unregistered]

Im watching the Celtics game right now and why aren't there more white people on the Celtics? Are the Celtics racist towards white people?I am calling for a 50/50 split in basketball between white and black people. Its not fair that there are only a few white guys in the NBA!

Idiot.
I realize this is tongue in cheek, (I hope), but it’s about results.
Blacks are better at basketball.

We need to be able to have these discussions without everybody cringing in order to move forward with race relations, but PC has sent that ship sailing.
Even without ahole as our fake Prez.

[Unregistered]

Blacks are better at basketball.

They are African Americans, or POC.

[Unregistered]

They are African Americans, or POC.

the point posters are making is these days it's NOT about being better, it's about being fair and I agree that the NBA is racist towards white people. Why should the NBA be 80% black? We always hear about fairness in society so the NBA needs to be fair and even out the divide between it's black players and adding more white players. It's NOT fair having the NBA with 80% black players.

[Unregistered]

Plenty white kids play youth basketball.

plenty of minorities play youth soccer