Birmingham United Soccer Association
Overview
Birmingham United Soccer Association (BUSA), headquartered in Vestavia, AL, was formed in 2006 from the merger of Mountain Brook Soccer Club and American Jets Soccer Club. BUSA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit (EIN 20-4920903) granted exempt status in June 2007. It is one of the largest soccer clubs in the Southeast, serving close to 5,000 players per season and over 10,000 annually across recreational, academy, and competitive programming. All competitive teams play under the Alabama FC brand, with regional affiliates including Alabama FC South, North, Central, East, Huntsville-USC, Huntsville North, and Alabaster, plus partnership programs in Anniston, Oxford, Montgomery, Hattiesburg (MS), Meridian (MS), Tupelo (MS), and Perdido Beach.
Financials
- Revenue (FY2024): $4,102,209 (HIGH — 990 filing)
- Expenses (FY2024): $3,999,292
- Net Assets (FY2024): $1,486,571
- Total Assets (FY2024): $1,490,838
- Operating margin (FY2024): ~2.5%
Teams & Players
~5,000 players per season; 10,000+ annually. Competitive program U12-U19 (boys + girls). Large recreational program U4-U19.
League Affiliations
- ecnl — founding Girls ECNL member (2009); founding Boys ECNL member (2017); only ECNL club in Alabama
- ecnl-rl — ECRL platform for 2nd teams U13+ (2022+)
- alabama-soccer-association (ASA)
Facilities
Primary facilities in Vestavia Hills / Birmingham metro. Detailed facility inventory TBD.
Leadership
Leadership details (CEO, ECNL DOC, etc.) TBD.
College Placement
BUSA publishes notable college commitments annually. Specific placement track record TBD.
Competitive Position
Dominant in Alabama — the only ECNL club and the largest youth soccer operation in the state by player count and revenue. Regional reach into Huntsville, Montgomery, and across the Mississippi border via the Alabama FC network. Alabama FC brand equity is a defensive moat.
Investment Thesis
Highest-priority Alabama acquisition target. The combination of ECNL monopoly, statewide brand network, $4M revenue with positive operating margin, and established 20-year organizational maturity makes BUSA the most strategic asset in the state. Nonprofit status requires creative structure (management services agreement, joint venture, or asset sale to for-profit platform with continuing 501(c)(3) parent). Board governance is the primary deal-gating variable.
Open Questions
- Board composition and decision-making dynamics
- Compensation of top executives (990 Schedule J)
- Which AFC affiliate programs are separately chartered vs directly operated?
- Facility ownership vs leasing arrangements
- ECNL college placement track record vs peer clubs