Global Games Summit in Newark looks at growing the business of men and women's soccer

NEWARK (WABC) -- In just days, our area will become the forefront for the most popular sport in the world.

Sunday is the World Cup final at New York/New Jersey stadium.

With the biggest soccer game in 4 years being played in our backyard, the top names in international sports are meeting in Newark to discuss how soccer has grown on a local and international level.

"So I think you're going to see a lot of growth of international clubs and leagues here in the U.S.. I also think there's going to be an amplification for Major League Soccer, which is about to begin, its second half of the season," CEO of GK Global Ventures Greg Kahn said.

A summit held at the Prudential Center in Newark seeks to devise strategies to deal with the forces shaping the global economics of the game.

"You know, the question is who's going to win here if there is a winner? Is it going to be the American leagues with mostly American players, or are people going to wake up on Sunday mornings and watch the, the Premier League?" Darren Rovell, founder of Cllct said.

The games have not only brought huge crowds to the Meadowlands but watch parties have drawn thousands of fans.

The players have become household names and maybe some of the international stars will be enticed to come play in America.

"They're getting to see what types of facilities and resources we have here and they're falling in love with it," Chief Commercial Officer of the New York Red Bulls and Sports Illustrated Stadium, Joe Stetson, said.

Sam Ryan was the host for the Global Game: The Future of Soccer, Tech and Media Summit.

There was a focus on the highly successful women's game.

Organizers say FIFA's success has been phenomenal.

They are looking to see if the growth will continue when the current games are over.

"Where does it go from here today? I think number one, we have to ride the wave of just the, fandom of soccer worldwide, but also from America," Kahn said.

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