New soccer media company confident it can cultivate a captive U.S. audience

"What we focus on is less the product, more the audience. So American soccer fans. There's inherent difference between a soccer fan in the U.S. than there is a soccer fan in, say, England, where you grew up with the sport. Parker, co-founder and chief executive of Kickback Soccer Media, emphasizes this fundamental distinction in audience approach."

"Parker said his idea isn't intended to succeed where others have failed. It's intended to succeed because it hasn't been tried before. Unlike traditional news outlets and streaming platforms that have struggled with soccer content monetization, Kickback employs licensing deals, brand partnerships and direct-to-consumer revenue models rather than relying on subscriptions or advertising clicks."

Kickback Soccer Media, founded by John Parker, introduces a multiplatform approach to soccer media targeting American fans through three distinct hubs: Soccerwise for traditional coverage, Kickback Committee for fan engagement with personalities, and First Touch for World Cup content. Unlike legacy media outlets that have struggled with soccer viewership and moved content to streaming platforms, Kickback relies on licensing deals, brand partnerships, and direct-to-consumer revenue rather than subscriptions or clicks. The company recognizes that American soccer fans differ fundamentally from international audiences, requiring tailored content strategies. Launched in December, this venture capitalizes on soccer's surging popularity and the U.S. hosting the World Cup, addressing the critical challenge of retaining new fans beyond the tournament.

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