In Episode 41 of Y’all Street, host Tarek Saab speaks with Leigh Veidman, Head Coach of Spokane Velocity FC, about soccer, salaries, and resilience.
Leigh Veidman brings a unique perspective to the USL landscape, emphasizing the need for a strong community connection through soccer. In Spokane, he has cultivated a culture that values entertainment and engagement, aligning the team’s identity with the blue-collar ethos of the city.
The Impact of Fiat Debasement on Player Salaries
In the conversation, Veidman discusses the financial realities of USL salaries, reflecting on how fiat currency debasement affects players’ living conditions. ‘Most environments in the soccer world, you’re in practice in the morning… but because the training sessions are so demanding… you can’t work them all day,’ he explains.
Navigating the Debt Cycle in American Soccer
The episode highlights how the debt cycle impacts not only club operations but also player contracts. Veidman reveals the structure of contracts, which include performance-based agreements, emphasizing that players often juggle soccer with side hustles.
When they go out to a game, they want to be entertained. They don’t want to come out and watch some boring soccer.
Leigh Veidman
