Scott “Matchmaker” Michaels, a working-class man from Lancaster, England, is a successful entrepreneur and football agent who has built a successful career around his passions and principles. Growing up in a family of hard-working people, Scott learned the value of hard work and determination at a young age.
From the tender age of five, Scott was introduced to the world of football by his grandfather who took him to Morecambe football club. However, it was not until he watched Gazza in the Italia 90 World Cup that Scott truly fell in love with the sport. The passion for football only grew stronger as Scott got older, and he would spend hours analyzing player statistics, debating about the game and immersing himself in the world of soccer.
Despite struggling with dyslexia and struggling academically, Scott was determined to succeed in life. Scott’s early experiences of working were when he was 10 years old, this including his paper round, babysitting, and cleaning cars, which have helped shape him into the determined and driven entrepreneur he is today. He left school at 15 years old and worked for two years as a floor sweeper in a local barbershop. However, he never lost sight of his dreams and went to college for two years before starting his own hair salon at just 19 years old, “The Cutting Room.” The salon was a success, and Scott was awarded local awards and recognition for his innovative ideas and hard work.
With a strong passion for brand building and sales, Scott went on to create Hairbond, a hair product brand that sold millions of products worldwide. He was able to market the brand through the sport that brought his heroes to life and spent much of his time in the United States, building up his commercial experience with partnering the American Professional Beauty Association
In 2017, Scott re-registered the global rights to Stylo Matchmakers, and fell in love with the brand just like he did with football in the 1990 World Cup. Scott’s grandfather had taught him about the legends of the game, such as Pele, George Best, and Kevin Keegan, Scott then attended hundreds of games as a guest of clubs around Europe as he built trust that forged relationships with club owners and subsequently become the authorized Football Association club agent of some of Europe’s biggest clubs.
He later set up Pro Footballers, an global player agency that connects multi-million dollar deals with clubs through his network of clubs and international agents. Clubs and agents gave him the nickname of “Matchmaker” because of the reference to Scott’s brand Stylo Matchmakers as well as his role as a connector in player deals.
During the pandemic, Scott then set up Football People and arranged several takeover bids in the English Football League with investment groups. Football People were introduced to several American professional soccer leagues looking to connect with investment dollars and explored a number of expansions across the country.
Scott, a football purist with great respect for history, has a vision to bring back the iconic teams of the old NASL and revive the glory days of the sport. He was taught these principles by his grandfather, who instilled in him a love and appreciation for the game that has lasted a lifetime.
In early 2022, Scott took the bold step to make his vision a reality by creating a new National Soccer League. The league will include some of the most legendary teams of the NASL, including Los Angeles Aztecs, Chicago Sting, Washington Diplomats, Philadelphia Atoms, Boston Minutemen, Memphis Rogues, and Detroit Express. Scott’s goal is to not only pay homage to these legends and their teams, but also to provide a platform for new generations of players and fans to experience the thrill of professional soccer.
Starting a new league is no easy feat, but Scott is determined to make it a success. He understands the challenges that lie ahead, including the need for resources, planning, and support from stakeholders such as investors, team owners, fans, and the governing bodies of the sport.
Scott has a clear and comprehensive business plan in place, outlining the goals, strategies, and budgets for the league. He has also built a strong network of partners and allies who share his vision and values, and is working tirelessly to address the legal and regulatory issues that come with creating a new league.
The new league will be more than just a place for players to compete. It will be a celebration of the history and traditions of the sport, and a platform for fans to connect with their favorite teams and players. Scott’s vision is to bring the excitement of professional soccer back to communities across the country, and to create a new era of excellence in the sport.
In addition to his success in the business world, Scott is also a proud member of the Liberal Democrats and a strong supporter of human rights. He is a traditionalist with a forward-thinking mentality, always putting the people first and respecting capitalism.
