Star-Spangled Soccer

Star-Spangled Soccer traces the development of soccer in the USA. It is the first book that tells the story of how the sport rose to extreme highs and suffered almost catastrophic lows as it fought to position itself on the American sports landscape, beginning with the announcement from FIFA in 1988 that America would host the 1994 World Cup.

'A fabulous book . . . well researched , thoughtful and analytical. It is also a highly entertaining read. If you want to understand how soccer was built in America read Gary's book.'

Alan Rothenberg, CEO : World Cup USA 94 Inc., President: United States Soccer Federation 1990-98, Founder Major League Soccer

'This is an essential read for anyone who wants to know how the US Soccer business developed in a crowded sports landscape. Gary Hopkins had a ringside seat for the key years in that development and his narrative is a lively and informative read.'

Sunil Gulati, President, United States Soccer Federation

'As someone who witnessed, and participated in, the development of professional soccer in the US, Gary offers a true insider's perspective. This book should be read by anyone seeking to better understand the business of the game.'

Mark Abbott, President Major League Soccer

'This historic book provides comprehensive context on how American soccer has developed during the last 25 years. Hopkins knows his subject all too well and makes it come to life in Star-Spangled Soccer. Easy to read and powerful!'

Rick Burton, David Faulk Distinguished Professor of Sport Management Syracuse University

'Star-Spangled Soccer is a great read . . . from his inside seat Gary has been an eye witness to it all. He points to the bold decisions and strong leadership necessary for soccer to get a foothold in America. His account is balanced and well constructed. As I read his book I came to the conclusion that Gary gets it.'

Hank Steinbrecher, General Secretary, US Soccer 1990-1999

'Fascinating and accurate. . . Gary has tirelessly researched the development of soccer in the USA documenting each step along the way with the people who lived those moments . . . he clearly shows World Cup USA 94 helped create a generation of soccer-loving Americans and delineates the enormous impact a future US-Hosted WorldCup would have on the sport here.'

David Downs, Executive Director, World Cup USA 2018-2020 Bid

'A fascinating and informative insight . . . if you want to know why David Beckham went to play in Los Angeles , this book will tell you. Gary Hopkins has had a ringside seat on the business of Soccer in the USA for over two decades . Indeed for much of the time he has been in the ring himself. His book is well written, informative and very readable.'

Matthew Wheeler, Worldwide Managing Director, Octagon 1997-2001

'A thoughtful and impeccably researched study.' - FourFourTwo Magazine

'It is impossible to begin to understand the complicated tapestry that is soccer in the United States without understanding its history. Gary Hopkins' book provides first-hand insights into that history from those who know because they, like Gary, helped form it. I recommend this book to anyone who has an interest in soccer in the US - its recent past, certainly, but moreimportantly its present and its future.' - Ivan Gazidis, CEO, Arsenal FC

GARY HOPKINS has an MBA from Warwick Business School in the UK, a Sports Science degree from Loughborough University and is a qualified Teacher He is a passionate soccer fan supporting Coventry City , England the USA National Team (when they are not playing England) and D.C. United and has spent 20 years as a senior executive in the USA Soccer and Sports Marketing Industry. As President and CEO of API Soccer and API Sponsorship he oversaw the Commercial and Television rights for the United States Soccer Federation and the United States Youth Soccer Association raising millions of dollars in sponsorship revenue from corporate America, developing strategic Marketing plans to promote soccer at all levels and producing and airing over 70 USA National Team men's and women's game. API Soccer was also a founding investor in Major League Soccer and Managing Partner of DC United. Gary also co-authored a 1999 Major League Soccer market research report and in the early 90s Published Americas first full color monthly soccer magazine and owned the US Television rights to English League Soccer. As the Managing Director of Octagon's Sport Marketing Properties Division and Marketing Board Member he represented a multitude of other sports properties including 5 year highly successful partnership with the United States Track and Field Association where he negotiated the world largest apparel sponsorship for the sport

He owes everything he learned about marketing and 'selling' soccer in America from a 4 year career selling for the Xerox organization fresh out of college ! An invaluable training ground for the early battles and rejections thrown US Soccer's way.

Gary brings a unique perspective on the commercial development of the sport in the USA reflected upon by someone who was there from the beginning, engaged at the sharp end , understands the forces and events that have shaped soccer in America and has access to the key people and personalities that made it happen.