The Impact of Nike Project 40/Generation Adidas Players on Major League Soccer
Abstract
Created in 1997, the Nike Project40/Generation Adidas program encourages soccer players to leave college early to sign professional contracts with Major League Soccer teams, guaranteeing them a 3-year salary with two one-year options. In theory, if the best players are being chosen to this program each year, they should be outperforming those who are drafted to MLS teams but are not a part of the program. By comparing the top draft picks within and outside the program, researchers hoped to determine whether Nike/Adidas players were having a different impact on the league than their counterparts. Results showed that, of 15 statistical categories analyzed, only three resulted in a statistically significant difference between groups. Though Nike/Adidas players were outperforming players who were not a part of the program, they were not doing so at a rate to justify the claim that they have a greater impact on the league.
Keywords:
- Keyword: Major League Soccer
- Keyword: Nike Project 40
- Keyword: Generation Adidas
- Keyword: MLS SuperDraft
How to Cite:
LeCrom, C. W., Selwood, J. P., Daldrup, P. & Driscoll, M., (2013) “The Impact of Nike Project 40/Generation Adidas Players on Major League Soccer”, Journal of Applied Sports Management 4(1). doi: https://doi.org/10.7290/jasm042or5
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