
<p>JJ Watt is developing a strong connection with Burnley. Granted, the Pewaukee, Wisconsin native has no direct ties to the English town with a population just shy of 100,000. Nor is the former NFL defensive lineman known for his affinity to soccer. For much of Watt’s life, his major connection to the sport was through Kealia Ohai, his wife. Kealia Watt represented the United States with the USWNT in addition to a career in the National Women’s Soccer League.</p>



<p>Yet, through <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/jj-watt-gets-first-hand-look-at-burnley-with-local-pub-crawl-20230509-WST-432163.html">pub crawls</a> and continuous wearing of the Burnley FC logo, Watt is showing his affinity for the club. Part of that is, of course, due to his minority ownership in the club that he acquired toward the end of the 2022/23 campaign. Heeding the advice of Ryan Reynolds, Watt is working to <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/jj-watts-plan-to-make-burnley-big-in-america-like-wrexham-20230511-WST-432420.html">understand the tribalism</a> that exists within British soccer fandom. </p>



<p>That community aspect is something that cannot be understated in the English system, including a club such as Burnley. Clubs such as Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester City or Spurs are certainly global. And, in many ways, JJ Watt’s role with Burnley is an ambassadorial venture to grow the club’s brand. With an NFL star on board, Burnley can pull in more Americans to support the Clarets. For reference, JJ Watt’s 5.6 million followers on Twitter exceeds each club in the Premier League outside of the big six. </p>



<h2>Connection between JJ Watt and Burnley relates to the town</h2>



<p>Still, JJ Watt is embracing that small-town feel of the Lancashire club. <a href="https://twitter.com/sgevans" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Simon Evans</a>, a reporter for the AFP and a lifelong Burnley supporter, says Burnley FC is so pivotal to the town.</p>



<p>“The football club is just so central to the town,” Evans told World Soccer Talk. “You walk around Burnley on a Tuesday afternoon, and there is no game on or anything, and you see people wearing the club shirt. The identity of the club and the team with the town is just so close. They’re interchangeable.”</p>



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<div class="ck-youtube"><iframe loading="lazy" title="Can JJ WATT&apos;s #BURNLEYFC replicate WREXHAM? 🇺🇸" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ruFV9A6UAsM?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>
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<p>Evans referenced Green Bay, home of the NFL’s Packers, which is just two hours north of Watt’s hometown of Pewaukee on the outskirts of Milwaukee. </p>



<p>“I’m sure he would have found it familiar,” Evans said regarding Watt’s trips to Burnley in the early stages. “The first time I went to Green Bay and drove into the small town with a big stadium in the middle of it, there is a similarity there.”</p>



<p>Watt never played for the Packers, though, spending most of his career with the Houston Texans before winding down with the Arizona Cardinals. Watt <em>did</em>, however, have a massively successful career in college at the University of Wisconsin. That, according to Evans, is more up the same alley in terms of comparison between Burnley and American sports.</p>



<p>“The vibe you get going to Burnley is probably more what you would find in a college football town, in a town that is like a campus town, really. Everybody is behind that team. Everybody is going to that game.” Evans added that it is near impossible to compare Burnley to one of the metropolitan markets that houses the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL or even MLS.</p>



<h5>Building Burnley’s brand</h5>



<p>Evans maintains that, even though Watt invested in the future of the club, Burnley FC sees Watt as a way to tap into the American audience. JJ Watt, whose followers are, more likely than not, NFL fans, can still lead to some growth for Burnley. </p>



<p>“That old dichotomy that used to exist in America between somebody who was an NFL guy who loved his American sports and then somebody else who was into soccer does not exist in the same way anymore.”</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">JJ Watt straight in with a pub crawl with Burnley fans 😂🍺<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BBCFootball?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BBCFootball</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BBCNFL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BBCNFL</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/JJWatt?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JJWatt</a> <a href="https://t.co/dtNnOMdcj8">pic.twitter.com/dtNnOMdcj8</a></p>— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) <a href="https://twitter.com/BBCSport/status/1655905454755553282?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 9, 2023</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<p>Plus, with Watt constantly promoting Burnley and his adventures with the fans, more traveling fans may be inclined to give the town of Burnley a visit to recreate Watt’s trips. </p>



<p><em>PHOTO: IMAGO / Colorsport</em></p>


JJ Watt is developing a strong connection with Burnley. Granted, the Pewaukee, Wisconsin, native has no direct ties to the English town.

JJ Watt’s connection with Burnley’s small town vibe

featured


<p>JJ Watt’s Burnley may not be the best descriptor. After all, the former NFL defensive lineman is but a minority owner of Burnley FC. Yet, the club won promotion back to the Premier League at its first time of trying. However, he has already, and will continue to have, a major impact on the club’s popularity. That is <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/jj-watts-plan-to-make-burnley-big-in-america-like-wrexham-20230511-WST-432420.html">particularly true in the United States</a>.</p>



<p>In this episode of the World Soccer Talk podcast, Kyle Fansler talks to AFP sports journalist Simon Evans. Evans, who is a “From the Bee Hole End” podcast host, talks about JJ and Kealia Watt. The two already made waves by lifting the Championship trophy and going on a <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/jj-watt-gets-first-hand-look-at-burnley-with-local-pub-crawl-20230509-WST-432163.html">bar crawl through Burnley</a>. Evans discusses the similarities between Watt’s upbringing in Wisconsin and the town of Burnley.</p>



<p>Evans is a Burnley native. While he currently resides in the United States, he has a great understanding and respect for the people of the town. That town, which is largely working class, is somewhat similar to Wrexham, where two Hollywood owners in Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds turned around that Welsh club as it returns to the Football League. Can Watt bring enough American enthusiasm to Burnley so that it can develop a strong and consistent following across the Atlantic Ocean?</p>



<h2>Simon Evans interview on JJ Watt’s Burnley</h2>



<p>Listen to this episode below:</p>



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<div class="ck-youtube"><iframe loading="lazy" title="Can JJ Watt&apos;s Burnley replicate Wrexham&apos;s USA success?" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ruFV9A6UAsM?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>
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<p>Launched in 2006, the World Soccer Talk Podcast is the longest running podcast on the planet. Every week, we share the latest news about watching soccer on television and streaming, in addition to discussing what we like and dislike, and featuring your questions and feedback in our Listener Mailbag segment. Christopher Harris and Kartik Krishnaiyer host the show.</p>



<p>Send in your questions, comments and feedback via e-mail to web@worldsoccertalk.com, via Twitter (@worldsoccertalk) or&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/worldsoccertalk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Facebook</a>. We’ll read them out on-air in the next episode. Or call our voicemail line and leave a message at 561-247-4625.</p>


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JJ Watt's Burnley has the goal of developing the club's popularity in the United States, can he learn from the Hollywood story at Wrexham?

Can JJ Watt's Burnley replicate Wrexham's USA success?


<p>Today’s episode of the World Soccer Talk Podcast, entitled Soccer Champions Tour invades America this summer, is presented by <a href="https://sling-tv.pxf.io/c/330866/1575798/14334?sharedid=epl_2023" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sling</a>.</p>



<p>Topic du jour is the just announced soccer competition that’s coming to the United States this summer entitled <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/6-biggest-soccer-teams-in-world-to-play-in-us-summer-tourney-20230512-WST-432626.html">Soccer Champions Tour</a> featuring Arsenal, Barcelona, Manchester United, Real Madrid, Milan and Juventus. We share the details of where the games are being played, which will be one of the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/schedule-of-soccer-friendlies-in-us-this-summer/">hottest tickets this summer</a>, how this summer competition may be different than others in the past, as well as which broadcast networks may be interested in showing the games in the United States.</p>



<p>Also discussed is how it lines up against the joint MLS and Liga MX competition Leagues Cup, and if there’s enough room for two mega soccer competitions this summer.</p>



<p>We also discuss JJ Watt’s visit to Burnley FC and whether he and his wife will be able to do as well as Wrexham AFC have done in the United States.</p>



<p>Meanwhile, US Soccer made a big announcement this week, so we discuss the news about getting one big step closer to naming a new US head coach. Last but not least, we discuss MLS Season Pass in the Listener Mailbag section.</p>



<p>Joining us today on the podcast is one of the top soccer writers in the United States, Bob Williams, who has written for many publications including The Sun, Daily Telegraph, Sport Business and more. </p>



<h2>Soccer Champions Tour America</h2>



<p>Listen to this episode below:</p>



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<div class="ck-youtube"><iframe loading="lazy" title="SOCCER CHAMPIONS TOUR invades America 🇺🇸" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/g2acPW-h6s8?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>
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<p>Launched in 2006, the World Soccer Talk Podcast is the longest running podcast on the planet. Every week, we share the latest news about watching soccer on television and streaming, in addition to discussing what we like and dislike, and featuring your questions and feedback in our Listener Mailbag segment. Christopher Harris and Kartik Krishnaiyer host the show.</p>



<p>Send in your questions, comments and feedback via e-mail to web@worldsoccertalk.com, via Twitter (@worldsoccertalk) or&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/worldsoccertalk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Facebook</a>. We’ll read them out on-air in the next episode. Or call our voicemail line and leave a message at 561-247-4625.</p>


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<h2>2023 Soccer Champions Tour Schedule:</h2>



<p>Saturday, July 22 <strong>— </strong>FC Barcelona vs. Juventus <strong>— </strong>Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, CA —&nbsp;<a href="https://vivid-seats.pxf.io/c/330866/952533/12730?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.vividseats.com%2Fsoccer-champions-tour-tickets-levis-stadium-7-22-2023--sports-soccer%2Fproduction%2F4418404" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Find tickets</a></p>



<p><br>Sunday, July 23 <strong>—</strong> Real Madrid vs. AC Milan <strong>—&nbsp;</strong>The Rose Bowl Stadium, Pasadena, CA —&nbsp;<a href="https://vivid-seats.pxf.io/c/330866/952533/12730?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.vividseats.com%2Fsoccer-champions-tour-tickets-rose-bowl-stadium-7-23-2023--sports-soccer%2Fproduction%2F4418409" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Find tickets</a></p>



<p><br>Wednesday, July 26 <strong>—</strong> Arsenal vs. FC Barcelona <strong>—&nbsp;</strong>SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, CA —&nbsp;<a href="https://vivid-seats.pxf.io/c/330866/952533/12730?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.vividseats.com%2Fsoccer-champions-tour-tickets-sofi-stadium-7-26-2023--sports-soccer%2Fproduction%2F4418419" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Find tickets</a></p>



<p><br>Wednesday, July 26 <strong>—&nbsp;</strong>Real Madrid vs. Manchester United <strong>—&nbsp;</strong>NRG Stadium, Houston, TX —&nbsp;<a href="https://vivid-seats.pxf.io/c/330866/952533/12730?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.vividseats.com%2Fsoccer-champions-tour-tickets-nrg-stadium-7-26-2023--sports-soccer%2Fproduction%2F4418421" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Find tickets</a></p>



<p><br>Thursday, July 27 <strong>—&nbsp;</strong>Juventus vs. AC Milan <strong>—&nbsp;</strong>Dignity Health Sports Park, Carson, CA —&nbsp;<a href="https://vivid-seats.pxf.io/c/330866/952533/12730?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.vividseats.com%2Fsoccer-champions-tour-tickets-dignity-health-sports-park-7-27-2023--sports-soccer%2Fproduction%2F4418422" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Find tickets</a></p>



<p><br>Saturday, July 29 <strong>—&nbsp;</strong>FC Barcelona vs. Real Madrid <strong>—&nbsp;</strong>AT&amp;T Stadium, Arlington, TX —&nbsp;<a href="https://vivid-seats.pxf.io/c/330866/952533/12730?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.vividseats.com%2Fsoccer-champions-tour-tickets-att-stadium-7-29-2023--sports-soccer%2Fproduction%2F4418423" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Find tickets</a></p>



<p><br>Tuesday, August 1 <strong>—&nbsp;</strong>AC Milan vs. FC Barcelona <strong>—&nbsp;</strong>Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, NV —&nbsp;<a href="https://vivid-seats.pxf.io/c/330866/952533/12730?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.vividseats.com%2Fsoccer-champions-tour-tickets-allegiant-stadium-8-1-2023--sports-soccer%2Fproduction%2F4418426" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Find tickets</a></p>



<p><br>Wednesday, August 2 <strong>—&nbsp;</strong>Juventus vs. Real Madrid <strong>—&nbsp;</strong>Camping World Stadium, Orlando, FL —&nbsp;<a href="https://vivid-seats.pxf.io/c/330866/952533/12730?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.vividseats.com%2Fsoccer-champions-tour-tickets-camping-world-stadium-8-2-2023--sports-soccer%2Fproduction%2F4418424" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Find tickets</a></p>


Hear our analysis about the Soccer Champions Tour in America. We also discuss JJ Watt's pursuit to grow Burnley in the USA.

Soccer Champions Tour invades America this summer - World Soccer Talk

Soccer Champions Tour invades America this summer

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<p>New Burnley minority owner JJ Watt is drawing inspiration from Wrexham mania in his new investment. The former NFL star, along with his wife, recently purchased a stake in the Lancashire club. Watt has even spoken with Wrexham co-owner Ryan Reynolds about his new endeavor.</p>



<p>Reynolds apparently gave Watt some tips on how to hit the ground running as a soccer team owner. “The number one thing Ryan said was recognizing the tribalism in football,” Watt told <em><a href="https://theathletic.com/4509019/2023/05/11/jj-watt-ryan-reynolds-burnley-wrexham/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Athletic</a></em> in an exclusive interview. “It’s different from American sports. It is a tribal loyalty that is rarely found in other sports or supporter bases. He told me I had to respect and honor that history and tradition and do right by that group otherwise you will lose them before you start.”</p>



<p>Watt, like many soccer fans in the United States, has been keeping track of Wrexham from the other side of the pond. “It’s been fun to watch him and Rob do it so well, and that’s what we’re trying to do here. I’m trying to get so deep into the community so they know I understand this club. It has been here long before I was here and will be long after I’m gone; all I’m trying to do is respect and elevate what you have.”</p>



<h2>American football star off on the right foot with fans</h2>



<p>The gregarious former NFL star is seemingly off to a good start with the club’s supporters. Watt recently went on a <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/jj-watt-gets-first-hand-look-at-burnley-with-local-pub-crawl-20230509-WST-432163.html">pub crawl</a> around Burnley to meet fans of the team and help grow a better understanding of the club on a local level. He has made it very clear that he wants a strong connection with the community. </p>



<p>Watt has also entered the fray with the team at a perfect time. Burnley won the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/championship-tv-schedule/">Championship</a> this season to earn promotion back to the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/premier-league-tv-schedule/">Premier League</a>. The Clarets essentially dominated the second-tiered English division under manager Vincent Kompany. Watt was even able to join in on the recent celebrations inside Turf Moor as well.</p>



<h2>JJ Watt recently lifted the Championship trophy on the Burnley pitch</h2>



<p>“I kind of feel like the kid in class who didn’t do any of the work in the group project but got an A anyway,” Watt joked about investing at an opportune time. “I don’t feel worthy of being part of all the celebrations. When Alan (Pace) asked me to walk the trophy out onto the pitch I said no, I didn’t feel I had earned it; everybody else earned it I shouldn’t be the first person to touch it. They insisted, so I did it.”</p>



<p>Watt, and of course Burnley fans, will be hoping that the team can become a hit Stateside like Wrexham. The Welsh club regularly records impressive viewership numbers here in the States. In fact, Wrexham has become <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/wrexham-are-more-famous-in-us-than-clubs-outside-top-10-20230426-WST-430207.html">more popular</a> than some <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/mls-tv-schedule/">Major League Soccer</a> clubs in America.</p>



<p>“It’s so cool the way NBC does it with Premier League mornings, they have fan zones and fan fests,” said Watt, who used to be a Chelsea fan. “You see Liverpool, Manchester United, Chelsea kits; I want to see more Burnley. It’s not an easy task but neither was getting 100 points in the Championship. We’re all here to do our jobs and that’s mine so bring it on.”</p>



<p>Similar to McElhenney, Watt has found a connection with a club in Britain that he can relate to.</p>



<p>“Unbelievable history, great town. I’m from a small town in Wisconsin,” Watt said. “It’s all about hard-working people. There is a Premier League pedigree, a manager who has a pedigree of his own and a vision of the future and a style of football that’s beautiful and the ownership is incredible.</p>



<p>“I can come into a club and a town like Burnley and do that. That was a really big thing for us and I can go on a journey with this club and try and do my little part in elevating us.”</p>



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<div class="ck-youtube"><iframe loading="lazy" title="#WREXHAM popularity pushes PRO/REL debate 🇺🇸" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/rUm6HJ82g2A?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>
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<p><em>Photo: IMAGO / PA Images</em></p>


New Burnley minority investor JJ Watt has revealed that he is taking inspiration from Wrexham's celebrity co-owners.

JJ Watt’s plan to make Burnley big in America, like Wrexham - World Soccer Talk

JJ Watt’s plan to make Burnley big in America, like Wrexham


<p>New Burnley investor and future NFL Hall of Fame member JJ Watt got up close with the town of Burnley. To commemorate his investment in the club, and to celebrate with fans before the last matchday in the Championship, Watt went around to different bars and pubs in the town of Burnley. </p>



<p>The inspiration for the venture was simply to meet Burnley fans. That is part of the important and necessary research for the club, says Watt. </p>



<p>“It’s research, I’m doing research and lots of pints of Guinness along the way,” Watt told BBC Breakfast on Tuesday. “But it was a lot of fun and really good to get to know them on a personal level, and hopefully they get to know us as well.”</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">&apos;I did a pub crawl yesterday on my way to the stadium… it&apos;s research&apos;<br><br>NFL star JJ Watt has spoken to <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BBCBreakfast?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BBCBreakfast</a> about why he&apos;s invested in newly promoted Burnley as they prepare to return to the Premier League<a href="https://t.co/x7BDVArM9h">https://t.co/x7BDVArM9h</a> <a href="https://t.co/KXxXFQ9HOy">pic.twitter.com/KXxXFQ9HOy</a></p>— BBC Breakfast (@BBCBreakfast) <a href="https://twitter.com/BBCBreakfast/status/1655848355413590016?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 9, 2023</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<p>That fan involvement is something Watt mentioned when he and his wife revealed they bought a minority stake in the club. Part of that is simply getting more fans. Watt already appeared on a number of <a href="https://twitter.com/CNBC/status/1653414017468121090" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">talk shows</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/TODAYshow/status/1653388706278002691" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">popular programs</a> to discuss his minority stake in Burnley. </p>



<p>The rest of it, though, is ensuring that this global audience knows that Burnley is built on those supporters near Turf Moor. Trips to the Royal Dyche and the Vintage Claret will certainly provide a better look at the club’s heritage.</p>



<p>“The history, the tradition, the supporters. It’s all about respecting and honoring that,” Watt said. “You never want to try and come in and do something that isn’t true to the club’s image.”</p>



<h2>Watt pairing excited for Burnley to get back into Premier League</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">JJ and Kealia Watt explain why they&apos;ve invested in this &apos;special Club&apos; 🫶 <a href="https://t.co/h5CMR7zWPH">pic.twitter.com/h5CMR7zWPH</a></p>— Burnley FC 🏆 (@BurnleyOfficial) <a href="https://twitter.com/BurnleyOfficial/status/1653077214638886912?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 1, 2023</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<p>Watt may not have the soccer expertise of his wife. Kealia is a professional soccer player who most recently played for the Chicago Red Stars in the NWSL. Previously, JJ Watt said soccer is <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/soccer-is-growing-but-wont-overtake-nfl-says-j-j-watt-20230318-WST-423677.html">on the rise in the United States</a>. However, it would struggle to match the popularity of the NFL.</p>



<p>Watt is a future NFL Hall of Fame member after a hugely successful playing career with the Houston Texans and the Arizona Cardinals. He retired from play following the 2022/23 season.</p>



<p><em>PHOTO: IMAGO / News Images</em></p>


JJ Watt got into the spirit of English soccer by going on a pub crawl before Burnley FC's last game of the season in the Championship.

JJ Watt gets first-hand look at Burnley with local pub crawl


<p>Former National Football League superstar J.J. Watt says that soccer is on the way up in the United States. </p>



<p>The pass rusher and three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year did, however, also say that the sport may never reach the heights of American football Stateside.</p>



<p>Speaking on <em>Men in Blazers</em>, Watt claimed that Americans are looking for one massive moment to help propel <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/pep-guardiola-attempts-to-revolutionize-soccer-again-20230305-WST-421746.html">soccer</a> forward. “People have been saying forever that soccer is the sport of the future, soccer’s on its way,” <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-11873957/J-J-Watt-says-soccer-likely-NEVER-overtake-NFL-Americas-No-1-sport.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">said</a> Watt. “I think the problem is everybody keeps looking for one explosion of interest where it’s ‘oh my gosh, now this is America’s sport.&apos;”</p>



<h5>Soccer growth will be slow but steady says Watt </h5>



<p>Instead, Watt insisted that the next World Cup could help grow the sport over a lengthy period. The U.S., Canada, and Mexico will host the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/new-world-cup-2026-format-features-record-number-of-games-20230314-WST-423263.html">2026 World Cup</a> tournament. </p>



<p>Matches will be played <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/2026-world-cup-cities-reveal-live-thread-20220616-CMS-390036.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">throughout 11 cities</a> here Stateside. Watt also referenced the last time the U.S. hosted the Women’s World Cup in 1999.</p>



<p>“I don’t believe that that’s ever going to come but I do believe the last time we had [the world cup in the US] – Mia Hamm, Brandi Chastain – they led a revolution, and that took years and years and years,” continued the NFL star.</p>



<p>“But they led that, and it took time and it’s built. I think we’re gonna have another one of those here. I don’t think it’s gonna be this thing where all of a sudden, soccer takes over the NFL.”</p>



<h5>Former defensive end could be new Burnley co-owner</h5>



<p>Now retired, Watt could be set to become an owner of a soccer club. The 33-year-old former football star was <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-11846707/NFL-legend-JJ-Watt-taking-meetings-Burnley-ahead-possible-minority-investment-club.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reportedly</a> in Burnley last week amid talks of a minority investment opportunity. </p>



<p>He previously proclaimed that he was also interested in partially owning a team. Watt’s wife is also played professional soccer for the Houston Dash and Chicago Red Stars.</p>



<p>Photo credit: IMAGO / Icon Sportswire</p>


Former NFL superstar J.J. Watt has claimed that soccer will grow thanks to the 2026 World Cup, but won't overtake the NFL in the USA

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