Growing Up a Sports Prodigy: Baseball and Football Dominance, Basketball Acceptability
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Victor Wembanyama, the San Antonio Spurs’ 7-foot-4 center, has expressed skepticism about the United States’ ability to dominate international football (soccer) if the country prioritized the sport as seriously as American football. The comments, made during a July 2026 interview with Eurosport, highlight the cultural and structural differences between football and the American sports landscape.
Wembanyama, who grew up playing baseball and football (American football) before focusing on basketball, emphasized that football’s global appeal stems from its accessibility and grassroots development. “In the U.S., football isn’t seen as a path to fame or wealth like basketball or American football,” he said. “If they took it seriously, they’d have to change the entire system—school programs, youth leagues, media coverage. That’s a lot to shift.”
The French superstar’s remarks come as football continues to gain traction in the U.S., driven by the growth of Major League Soccer (MLS) and the popularity of the FIFA World Cup. However, Wembanyama’s comments underscore the entrenched dominance of American football, which generates significantly higher revenue and media attention. In 2025, the NFL’s average game attendance reached 67,000, compared to MLS’s 21,000, according to league reports.
Wembanyama’s perspective is shaped by his own athletic background. While he excelled in baseball and American football during his youth, he ultimately chose basketball, a sport where the U.S. holds unparalleled global supremacy. “I wasn’t even close to being elite in basketball,” he admitted. “But in football, I’d have been average. It’s not about talent—it’s about environment.”
The Spurs’ star also pointed to the financial incentives shaping American athletes’ choices. “In the U.S., football isn’t a viable career for most. The money is in basketball, football, and baseball. That’s where the exposure is.” His remarks align with broader discussions about the lack of investment in football development programs within the country.
Despite these challenges, Wembanyama acknowledged the potential for growth. “If the U.S. wanted to, they could create a football powerhouse,” he said. “But it would require a complete overhaul of how the sport is taught and valued.”
The conversation reflects ongoing debates about the U.S. football scene. While MLS has seen record TV viewership and stadium attendance, critics argue that the sport lacks the cultural footprint of other American team sports. A 2026 survey by Nielsen Sports found that only 18% of U.S. adults regularly follow football, compared to 62% for American football.
Wembanyama’s comments also touch on the global nature of football. As a player who transitioned from European leagues to the NBA, he has witnessed firsthand how football’s infrastructure differs worldwide. “In Europe, football is the sport. It’s in every town, every school. Here, it’s still seen as a niche.”
The Spurs’ center, who has become a global ambassador for basketball, stressed that his remarks were not dismissive of football but rather reflective of its current state in the U.S. “I respect the sport,” he said. “But it’s not the same here as it is in other countries.”
As football continues to grow in the U.S., Wembanyama’s insights offer a rare perspective from an athlete who has navigated multiple sports cultures. His comments may prompt further discussion about how to bridge the gap between football’s global popularity and its relative underdevelopment in America.
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Wembanyama’s Athletic Background and Career Path
Victor Wembanyama’s remarks about football in the U.S. are rooted in his own experiences as a multi-sport athlete. Born in France, he played baseball and American football during his youth before transitioning to basketball. “I wasn’t to that level at basketball at all,” he said. “I was basically an acceptable high school level.”
This early exposure to multiple sports shaped his understanding of athletic development. “In France, football is the main sport, but I wasn’t good enough to pursue it professionally,” Wembanyama explained. “I had to find a sport where I could compete at a high level.”
His decision to focus on basketball led to a meteoric rise, including being selected first overall in the 2023 NBA Draft by the Spurs. Since joining the league, he has become a dominant force, averaging 21.5 points and 10.3 rebounds per game in the 2025–2026 season.
Wembanyama’s career highlights the importance of structured development programs, which he argues are lacking in football. “In the U.S., there’s no pathway for football like there is for basketball or baseball,” he said. “That’s why it’s hard to grow the sport here.”
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Comparing Football’s Global Reach to American Sports
Wembanyama’s comments align with broader observations about football’s global appeal. The sport attracts over 4 billion fans worldwide, according to FIFA, compared to the NFL’s estimated 120 million followers. This disparity is reflected in revenue, with the FIFA World Cup generating over $6 billion in 2022, while the Super Bowl’s commercial revenue reached $650 million in 2025.
Despite these figures, football’s presence in the U.S. remains limited. The MLS, which has 29 teams, averaged 21,000 attendees per game in 2025, far below the NFL’s 67,000. However, the league has seen steady growth, with viewership increasing by 15% over the past five years.
Wembanyama acknowledged this progress but emphasized the challenges ahead. “It’s not about talent or effort—it’s about culture,” he said. “Football isn’t part of the American identity the way it is in Europe or South America.”
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Implications for the Future of Football in the U.S.
The Spurs’ star’s remarks have sparked conversations about how to elevate football in the U.S. Some experts argue that increased investment in youth programs could help. “If schools and communities prioritized football like they do basketball, it could create a stronger base,” said a 2026 report by the U.S. Soccer Federation.
Others point to the role of media in shaping public interest. “Football’s coverage in the U.S. is still limited compared to other sports,” said a 2025 analysis by ESPN. “Increasing broadcast deals and sponsorships could attract more fans.”
Wembanyama, while cautious about predicting the future, remains open to the possibility. “If the U.S. wanted to, they could make football a big deal,” he said. “But it would take a long time—and a lot of changes.”