Directory

Global Experience

Education

Undergraduate Thesis

Unearthing Raw Talent: A Comparative Analysis of the Transfer Patterns

Within the International Soccer Market and the Movement of Capital Within the World-Systems Theory

Abstract

Why is the international soccer market Euro-Centric? To address this question, I

investigate a parallel between the development of the global economy, specifically through

extractive colonialism, and the evolution of professional soccer. Furthermore, both the movement

of capital as a result of extractive colonialism and the transfer patterns of players within the

international soccer market indicate these markets are embedded within the World-Systems

Theory. In order to test his parallel, I explored the long-lasting effects of extractive colonialism

through the diamond-stone market and brain drain. Additionally, I researched the demographics

and transfer patterns of two major English Premier League clubs, Arsenal and Chelsea, as well

as 2018 World Cup champions, France. Throughout my research, my findings show that

globalized markets such as the international soccer market and the diamond-stone market are

predominantly Euro-Centric, allowing high-income, core countries to dominate the markets

through their accumulation of players and rough-gems.

NESCAC Sports ​Business Group

Founded in the Spring of 2024, Das Boots FC is an ​Amateur Mens soccer team competing in the Bowery ​Premier League, the highest level of 7v7 amateur soccer ​in New York City. The league features the top current ​and former college and professional players residing in ​New York City and aims to provide a platform for high-​level players to continue their careers in a competitive, ​yet healthy environment.

Das Boots FC has quickly established itself as one of the ​top teams in the league, featuring a plethora of talent, ​including former professional, D1, and D3 players. Das ​Boots mission is to allow players to continue to compete ​at the highest level while also creating a unified ​community through our shared love for the sport.

Das Boots FC

Bowery PL

In May of 2024, Das Boots secured its first ever sponsor, AFG PRO, ​a local physical and mental wellness program owned by Andrew ​Fitzgerald. AFG PRO is the perfect sponsor having worked ​previously with many of the top soccer players to come through ​New York. Furthermore, AFG PRO’s core values of promoting both ​physical and mental well being while competing at the highest level ​aligned with Das Boots’ core values and goals.

AFG PRO has become Das Boots’ official jersey sponsor which ​allowed Das Boots to develop its first ever kits, a classic-white ​Umbro collared kit, AFG PRO is also our game day sponsor, with ​branding on Das Boots starting XI posts and other various social ​media content.

Mission Statement

LinkedIn Group

The NESCAC Sports Business Group is dedicated to fostering an ​inclusive community among NESCAC Alumni who have pursued ​careers in the sports industry. Our mission is simple: to bring ​together the diverse talents, experiences, and perspectives of ​NESCAC alumni in the sports industry. Through networking ​events, discussions, and shared experiences, we aim to learn ​from each other and create meaningful connections that enable ​growth both personally and collectively.

Since March 2024, the group has amounted around 100 ​members, as well as established a group of 16 and counting ​alumni liaisons to represent their alma mater. In the coming ​years, we aim to grow the relationships within the group and ​also the collective groups relationship with the NESCAC Schools ​and its faculty and students. To do this, we are in the process of ​developing mentorship programs and networking events with ​the overarching goal of establishing a NESCAC Sports ​Conference one day.

In May of 2023, I approached the US Soccer Foundations program, Safe ​Places to Play, a program that aims to grow the sport of soccer by ​developing futsal or small-sided pitches in underutilized spaces. My ​goal is to provide a space for small-sided soccer games in my ​hometown of Arlington, MA. Arlington serves as a perfect example of an ​overarching issue within soccer in the United States. The town has a ​plethora of talent, having produced numerous college and professional ​players. Despite this, there is a significant lack of infrastructure in place ​to enable accessibility to play to further develop the growth of the ​sport. This is an issue that I believe derives from two actors; high-level ​soccer only being accessible through significant paywalls and there ​being a lack of urban development surrounding the sport

There is a drastic need for accessibility to participation in sports in the United States. ​Soccer is a sport that can be seen played all over the World in all different types of ​environments and communities, yet in the United States , this core value of the sport has ​not carried over. The need for accessible sports and lack of urban development around the ​sport highlights a massive opportunity for soccer in the United States.

Source: US Soccer Foundation, 2024

After bringing this problem and a proposed ​solution of installing a Mini-Pitch in Arlington to ​the towns Board of Recreation, the project to ​develop a Mini-Pitch was approved by the Board. ​The space and its features can be displayed in the ​visual on the right and this Mini-Pitch (upon ​completion) will be located at Summer Street Park ​(shown below).

Source: US Soccer Foundation, 2024

Mini-Pitches offer a space that is transformative to the soccer playing experience ​in not just Arlington, but around the United States. Basketball has evolved into ​one of the United States’ premier sports due to how integral the sport has ​become in urban culture and community building. By creating spaces for ​participation in soccer, a similar impact can be made. The figure below, provides ​specific data on the impact of previous courts Safe Places to Play have ​completed.

Source: US Soccer Foundation, 2024

For this project I have brought ​together a group of key ​individuals who offer unique ​skillsets and necessary access ​to complete the project. That ​core group and the role they ​play in the project can be seen ​in the strategic analysis logic ​model on the right.

Source: Max McKersie MS Capstone

Miles Robinson

USMNT, FC Cincinnati

Noel Buck

England YNT, NE Revolution

Miles and Noel are both professional soccer players who play in the MLS and are both from ​Arlington, MA. They both started their careers playing at Arlingtons local parks and for Arlington ​Soccer Club, the youth soccer organization for the Town of Arlington. Their participation in the ​project not only brings an immense amount of visibility and attention towards the project, but ​opens the doors to opportunities to market and fundraise the project. Many of the US Soccer ​Foundations most successful projects have been when they have partnered with a professional ​athlete. With Miles and Noel as ambassadors, we aim to bring national attention to this project to ​serve as a model for other athletes and teams to take on similar projects in their respective cities.

Experiential Intern

Summer 2024

• Coordinated event activation and ​marketing strategies for BMW/MINI in ​a cross-country marketing tour/rally ​called, “MINI Takes The States”, which ​spanned across 5 States and 9 cities.
• Managed on-site logistics for over ​1,900 MINI owners/participants and ​over 900 MINI Vehicles. 

Consultant, Partnerships and ​Player Placement

Oct 2020 - Dec 2023

• Consulted players and coaches ​directly on placement opportunities ​for players in the transfer portal. 
• Placed 2 players on full-rides to ​Division-I programs in the 2023 ​transfer portal turnover and 30 ​overall.

Lead Supervisor

May - August 2024

Oversaw the facility operations for New ​York Universities Paulson Athletic Center ​and over 500 members and 250 student ​athletes per day and organized events ​such as varsity games, camps, and school ​events.

Relevent Experience

2022 Bates Film Festival

Member, Board of Directors

• Developed inquiries sent to directors and production companies ​for rights to their films and created write-ups overviewing their ​films and their significance to our festivals values and goals.
  
• Organized and conducted a panel starring Bruce W. Smith, ​animator of Space Jam, Princess and The Frog, and more, ​discussing representation in film.
  
• Worked with the board to strategize marketing plans to draw ​attention to the festival.
  

IVY League Athletics

Job Shadow/Event Volunteer

Shadowed Matt Panto, Associate Executive ​Director, Strategic Communications & External ​Relations, for the 2024 IVY League Basketball ​Tournament

Global Experience

Cultural Immersion

Language

With the vast majority of my family working in High Education and my ​mother having grown-up in Spain, the importance of learning from others ​and expanding my global perspective by immersing myself into multi-​cultural environments has become a core value of mine. It is one of my ​“whys” when considering my interest in sport and often was central to my ​studies throughout my education. This is something I aim to continue to ​do through my professional career working in the sports industry.

Costa Rica

Spain

In the Summer of 2015, I lived in ​Atenas, Costa Rica, with a host ​family who did not know any ​English. Here, I attended the local ​school with the goal to improve my ​Spanish.

In the Summer of 2022, I lived in ​Barcelona, where I studied at the ​Universitat Pompeu Fabra, ​studying Political Economy and ​taking language courses.

Right To Dream

Wahda United

In 2018/2019 I traveled the United ​States playing with Right To ​Dream’s USA team, a team made ​up of some of the top players ​from Ghana and Burkina Faso.

In 2023, I played for Maine’s first ever ​Semi-Pro soccer team, Wahda ​United. The team was predominantly ​Somalian refugees. Lead the team in ​goals as a defender with 4 goals.

English: Native

Spanish: Proficient

Global Experience

Global Field Intensives

Abu Dhabi, UAE

In January 2024, my NYU program traveled to Abu Dhabi for a week. ​There we worked alongside and met with many industry ​professionals/entities, including Yas Marina, Sail GP, and more. This trip ​provided invaluable insight on the increasing investment in sport in the ​MENA region. Read my takeaways here: Abu Dhabi

Mumbai, India

In March 2024, my NYU director, Dr. Daniel Kelly, selected 7 students to ​join him in Mumbai, India. There, we immersed ourselves in the local ​community, playing sports alongside locals and learning about their ​culture. We also worked with NBA India, discussing their work trying to ​grow the NBA’s presence in India. Read my takeaways here: India

Boston/New York

In September 2023, our program held a conference week on our campus ​in NYC. Throughout the week we met with industry professionals from ​organizations such as the NBA, Liverpool, House of Highlights, and more.

In March 2024, I was selected as student representative for NYU to ​attend the MIT Sloan Sports Analytics Conference. This opportunity not ​only allowed me to grow my network but learn about the integral role of ​data and analytics in all facets of the sports industry.

Global Experience

Global Field Intensives

Belo Horizonte, Brazil

In May 2024, my NYU program traveled to Belo Horizonte for a week. ​During this trip, we worked very closely with Cruzeiro and Club Atletico ​Mineiro and met with other organizations such as Minas Tenis Clube and ​RedBull Bragantino. This trip provided invaluable insight into the growing ​presence of private equity with professional teams in Brazil. Paving a new ​path for the intersectionality of history, culture, and a contemporary ​global market. Read more of my takeaways here: Brazil

London, United Kingdom

For our final Global Field Intensive, my program went to London in August ​2024. Here each of the students presented their capstone (See my US ​Soccer Foundation project), as well as were presented the opportunity to ​sit down with industry professionals and organizations. Phil Church from ​the English FA, Paul Mullen (COO at Brighton), Daniel Geey (one of the ​UKS top football lawyers), Gabriel Ajala (Africa Sports Unified) and many ​more, were generous to take the time to connect with us and help us gain ​insight on the UKs professional sports industry. Read more about my ​experience here: United Kingdom

Athletic ​Experience

“Sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to ​inspire. It has the power to unite people in a way that little else does. ​It speaks to youth in a language they understand. Sport can create ​hope where once there was only despair. It is more powerful than ​governments in breaking down racial barriers. It laughs in the face of ​all types of discrimination.” - Nelson Mandela

Max mcKersie - Linkedin

mfmckersie@gmail.com