Abstract
Professional minor league athletes often have to take on other jobs to supplement their income. Many find work coaching or instructing in the sport they play. The question arises: how do individuals’ passions for sports motivate them to such a degree that they are able to turn them into successful businesses? This research documented the experience of one such individual, Mr. Luke Vercollone, a professional minor league soccer player who transformed a part-time instructional soccer coaching business into a national franchise called Mighty Kicks. This case study used in-depth interviews, and public and private documents to explain the key factors, process, and journey that contributed to the formation of Mighty Kicks. The study resulted in five themes attributed to Mr. Vercollone’s success: his personality, background, and experience; the responsibility he had to provide for his family financially; the development of an in-school mobile soccer program; the design of a unique age-appropriate soccer instruction curriculum for children; and a comprehensive support system for franchisees. This study may benefit other professional minor league athletes who desire to start a business in their chosen sport, or individuals interested in child development programs. Future research can include conducting an empirical study to validate these findings, and a separate study to better understand the personality traits of professional minor league athletes who start businesses in the sports they play.|Keywords: franchise, soccer, business, minor league athlete, child development