September 15: Kickback Soccer Media has closed a $1 million seed round and is launching a national media network to financially support independent outlets covering MLS clubs by distributing league-wide content through its podcasts.
Sponsored by Continental Tire, the Soccerwise Media Collective is designed to fill a gap in coverage both locally and nationally. At its center is the SoccerwiseMLS Minute, a weekly audio segment produced by Kickback that each outlet incorporates into its own podcast. Seven founding members are on board, including Sounder at Heart, TopBin90 covering Charlotte, Happy Foot Sad Foot for LAFC and Five Stripe Final for Atlanta.
“We need to connect with fans where they consume MLS media right now, which is largely local,” said co-founder and CEO John Parker, adding that Kickback wants to become “the platform for national coverage of MLS, NWSL and U.S. Soccer.”
Crucially, Parker said Kickback will provide monthly financial support to each partner without taking an equity stake, although he did not disclose Continental’s figures or terms.
Kickback launched last year around podcasts under its Soccerwise and First Touch brands. The recent $1 million round, raised through SAFEs, values the company at $5 million, with investors including MLS player Alejandro Bedoya and IOC member Anant Singh.
Kickback plans an equity crowdfunding round in October, possibly through Wefunder, allowing backers to buy in smaller sums.