Worth the wait! Wish the interview was MUCH longer, however, like "the Diary of a CEO" or "Joe Rogan" interviews/ podcasts, where interviews can go to two or three hours or more!
We also wish you had pressed him harder about TWO items:
1. whether he would EVER move one of his clubs into USL League One??
2. why he moved some of clubs from NPSL to USL League 2, and whether this portends his moving over all his remaining NPSL clubs??
On two, he’s told me it depends on the specific club circumstances and geography. He’s moved most to USL2 but still has three NPSL clubs and two clubs he’s invested in that have moved to TLfC.
There is speculation that his clubs still in the NPSL are still there because they have penalty causes that get triggered upon exiting the league, and Hitch doesn't want to pay the ransom. Regarding the two clubs of his now in TLfC, I wonder if calculation on potential travel costs might have have been pivotal? F'rinstance, are these two California clubs that would have had to travel immense distances, if they were in USL2 instead?
Another tidbit from an interview I just saw for Columbus United with him, his daughter, and the play-by-play guy for CU. He made references to the club WC, the WC, and then the hopes that the women's WC will be coming tonthe US. He mentioned that they have already also secured the rights in Columbus for a women's team. Presumably a USLW team. Makes me wonder how big his push into women's will be.
After listening to the Kartik interview and the Hitchcock father-daughter interview cited by Dan Floyd (*), I believe Hitch is moving to USL-L2 for three reasons: (1) explicitly citing Pro/Rel as the draw --USL ecosystem. (2) building soccer excitement within the local region of USL-L2 clubs while minimizing travel costs, with the ultimate goal of building enough capital and fan interest to launch a combined USL-L1 side! (3) this provides opportunities for the entire Hitch family, not just father & daughter, but also a brother who is coaching.
By the way, the dynamics between the two Hitchcocks is endearing. At one point, Dad interrupts daughter but then hastily retreats, saying "Go ahead, honey!".
I'd like to come back in my next life as Hitch. What a boss in the lower league soccer space. Thanks for bringing this to us, Kartik.
Worth the wait! Wish the interview was MUCH longer, however, like "the Diary of a CEO" or "Joe Rogan" interviews/ podcasts, where interviews can go to two or three hours or more!
We also wish you had pressed him harder about TWO items:
1. whether he would EVER move one of his clubs into USL League One??
2. why he moved some of clubs from NPSL to USL League 2, and whether this portends his moving over all his remaining NPSL clubs??
Thanks
I should have pressed on one for sure.
On two, he’s told me it depends on the specific club circumstances and geography. He’s moved most to USL2 but still has three NPSL clubs and two clubs he’s invested in that have moved to TLfC.
There is speculation that his clubs still in the NPSL are still there because they have penalty causes that get triggered upon exiting the league, and Hitch doesn't want to pay the ransom. Regarding the two clubs of his now in TLfC, I wonder if calculation on potential travel costs might have have been pivotal? F'rinstance, are these two California clubs that would have had to travel immense distances, if they were in USL2 instead?
Yes that’s the reason imo- almost every case he made it based on mitigating travel- Denton appears to be the exception for whatever reason
Another tidbit from an interview I just saw for Columbus United with him, his daughter, and the play-by-play guy for CU. He made references to the club WC, the WC, and then the hopes that the women's WC will be coming tonthe US. He mentioned that they have already also secured the rights in Columbus for a women's team. Presumably a USLW team. Makes me wonder how big his push into women's will be.
Thanks for the heads up! This is the interview you saw for CU?
https://www.youtube.com/live/5-uq8n3wY-8
Yes, it was that interview.
After listening to the Kartik interview and the Hitchcock father-daughter interview cited by Dan Floyd (*), I believe Hitch is moving to USL-L2 for three reasons: (1) explicitly citing Pro/Rel as the draw --USL ecosystem. (2) building soccer excitement within the local region of USL-L2 clubs while minimizing travel costs, with the ultimate goal of building enough capital and fan interest to launch a combined USL-L1 side! (3) this provides opportunities for the entire Hitch family, not just father & daughter, but also a brother who is coaching.
By the way, the dynamics between the two Hitchcocks is endearing. At one point, Dad interrupts daughter but then hastily retreats, saying "Go ahead, honey!".
(*) https://www.youtube.com/live/5-uq8n3wY-8