Former NFL Star JJ Watt, Wife Kealia to Compete in 7-on-7 $1M Soccer Tournament

The Soccer Tournament is going to feature teams captained by former NFL star J.J. Watt and former U.S. women's national team forward Kealia Watt.

It was announced on Wednesday the power couple, who also own a stake in Premier League club Burnley, will captain the men's and women's team in the $1 million winner-take-all seven-on-seven Soccer Tournament.

"It's really exciting for both Kealia and I to headline Burnley's men's and women's teams at TST," J.J. said in a statement. We've called some friends and are planning on bringing the best teams we can to compete. We are both highly competitive individuals, so we'll be giving it our all in claret and blue! It's going to be a proud moment for me, captaining the Burnley men's team. The club and town have an important place in my heart, so I want to represent Burnley well. Now it's all about preparing so we're ready to go."

Kealia also issued a statement, including being able to be part of the first iteration of the women's tournament:

"We're delighted to announce our involvement in TST. Having the opportunity to represent Burnley on the pitch and compete against clubs from around the globe will be incredibly special.

"I'm also looking forward to making history with the inaugural women's tournament. This is an important addition and I'm pleased to see TST's commitment to an equal prize for the winning men's and women's teams. I'm looking forward to playing in the Burnley shirt and reuniting with some of my former team-mates."

The Soccer Tournament was established in October 2022 by TBT Enterprises, the organization that developed the Basketball Tournament.

The soccer version follows a similar format to the Basketball Tournament. It features 32 teams competing seven-on-seven with two 20-minute halves and a version of the Elam Ending with a target score time.

After the end of the second half, the teams play an untimed period in which the winner is determined by the first one to reach a predefined target score. The target score is one more goal than the team that is leading at the end of regulation.

For instance, if one team holds a 5-3 lead at the conclusion of the second half, the first team to reach six six goals will win. If the score is tied at the end of the second half, the first team to score during the untimed period wins.

Games are contested on a smaller field and some traditional soccer rules, including slide tackles and punting/dropkicks by goalies, are prohibited.

Newtown Pride FC defeated Toronto Athletic FC 2-0 to win the inaugural tournament last year.

The 2024 Soccer Tournament will take place from June 5 to 10 at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, North Carolina.