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The Varying Degrees of Coronavirus's Impact on U.S. Soccer's Lower Club Tiers

For the fortunate, the impact of the coronavirus is intangible, or simply inconvenient. Eventually, however, even inconvenience can become existential. Like the virus, it starts relatively small. For example, consider the front of Union Omaha’s jersey.

Like most teams its size, the expansion USL League One club can’t count on broadcast revenue. And it’s going to share a stadium with a minor league baseball team. Union’s most valuable single asset, therefore, is the ad space on the front of its shirt.

“We had the jerseys ready to go. We had the stock ready to sell, the sleeve partner—everything was ready to go and all we needed to do was sign the deal with the jersey partner,” Union COO Matt Homonoff said of the club’s preparation for its kit unveiling.