'Don't be a jerk when it comes to soccer in your country' - Alexi Lalas critical of former NFL greats and European owners Tom Brady, J.J. Watt for outlook on game in U.S.

Reflecting on the growing trend of American sports celebrities investing in European football clubs, ex-USMNT star Alexi Lalas took aim at former NFL greats Tom Brady and J.J. Watt, who have ownership stakes in Birmingham and Burnley, respectively. 

In a recent podcast interview, Brady said “the reality for most athletes in America is these other sports just become very dominant because of culturally what’s on television all the time. And what’s being talked about in the schoolyard ends up often being talked about American football, basketball, baseball, hockey.”

He added, “And we need the youth in America in soccer. We need a young phenom like a Lamine Yamal, a young Lionel Messi, to take over.”

Lalas said he has no objection to where celebrities choose to invest their money, but takes issue with their attitudes toward domestic soccer.

"Some of these guys have earned a tremendous amount of money and, like any type of investment, you want to diversify - and I think that they recognize that this is good business and this is a fun business to be in," Lalas said on his State of the Union podcast. “What I would object to is, if and when you do it, that then you start to crap on, in this case, soccer or soccer leagues or soccer teams or soccer structures in your home country?

I cannot abide by something like that. If you feel that that's where your money is best put, fine. Recognize that you're not doing anything for the game that you purport to support in your home country. “

The former US international said many U.S. celebrities and former athletes have opted against investing in opportunities to grow the game in America.

“While I would love you to invest in your home country, and some do, just don't be a jerk when it comes to  soccer in your country, soccer that exists and has already existed - and the history that exists and all the people that work their ass off," he said. “And I think that's where it kind of rubs people the wrong way, whether it's a J.J. Watt or, you know, Tom Brady, or anybody else out there who have to do press - and should do press and use their platform that they have.

"I think that they can do that and celebrate this venture that they have embarked on and celebrate their excitement about being involved in soccer in another country without crapping on the sport back in their homeland.”

Brady acquired a minority stake in English Championship club Birmingham City, while Watt and his wife Kealia Watt invested in Burnley FC.

The growing American ownership presence in European football, which now includes teams in the English Premier League, Serie A, and other top leagues, represents both a challenge and an opportunity for American soccer to reshape its relationship with global football.