The Future of US Women’s Soccer
With the almost-inevitable shuttering of Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS), a vacancy exists in the soccer landscape for a venue where the top talent in this country and around the world can ply its trade. The Women’s Premier Soccer League has formed an Elite Division comprised of former WPS teams and long-standing members of its amateur ranks, with the 2012 season scheduled to kick-off next week. The W-League, under the auspices of the United Soccer Leagues, has also stepped up its game as it tries to become the premier place for women’s soccer players in this country. Is the future bright for one or both of these to “replace” WPS, or does something new need to be created? I believe the soil is ripe for a bigger and better league structure to replace WPS, but all parties involved must take a step or two back from the seven-figure operating budgets and six-figure salaries that were testament of WPS and its predecessor, the WUSA. This can be done with a focus on developing a national footprint for the sport built upon local control and autonomy.
The future of women’s soccer cannot be built from the same model which brought us WUSA and WPS (that is, a league of franchises doled out on a limited basis with high hurdles for entry). Instead, it must be built through local clubs stepping forth and elevating their current offerings, where the cost of league entry is low, the ability to grow their product on and off-the-field can be done over time, and where ultimate responsibility for success or failure rests in the creativity and resolve of the individual entrant, not the league as a whole. For this to happen, most if not all decisions must be made on the local level, such as the development of revenue streams that are self-sustaining and foster a connection between the club and the local business community and the recruitment of players who have roots within the community to the extent that the club is not responsible for “putting them up” in the area during the playing season. Financial management of the individual clubs must be based not on turning a profit but on providing the best product possible on and off-the-field within the revenue available to the club.
Now let’s talk about the players. First, there needs to be a realization that a women’s soccer league in this country cannot live or die on the basis of a sliver of the available player pool, that being the US Women’s National Team. Building a future for women’s soccer in the US based on how it affects or will sustain the National Team will not in the long run work because it ignores the best interests of the 95% or more of players who aren’t in the NT system and will unnecessarily limit the growth of the game in markets where such talent hasn’t risen. Beyond that, players must come to grips with the sobering notion that the dollars are not there currently for salaries of the level that one can live solely off of playing and thus they will need some supplemental form of income (be it a regular 9-to-5 job, an internship, sponsorships, graduate school stipends, a well-paid working spouse, etc.).
The future of women’s soccer in this country is bright, with expansion in both the WPSL and W-League bringing more teams and thus more players onto a regional and national stage. These entities could be the way forward, but it will not happen without a “meeting of the minds” regarding their business models. The WPSL’s is more in line with local autonomy, room for growth, and long-term sustainability than the W-League’s, but both are much more grounded in the community than what was seen from WUSA and WPS. We must re-think what it means to be a “professional” athlete in a sport that currently doesn’t generate enough revenue to pay self-sustaining salaries and transition back if you will to a place where an athlete’s off-field pursuits will carry them further economically than their on-field ones. Think of Major League Baseball or the National Football League before the advent of big-money television contracts, when players would have off-season jobs because playing in and of itself didn’t provide a level of income to sustain them or their families over 12 months. It’s harsh, but that’s the exact place women’s soccer is currently, and the sooner it is realized and accepted, the sooner a sustainable model for the professional game in the US can be fostered and grow.
Ashley
becca4kicks
Chris
An
Scott
Scott, here’s a recap of what you, a fellow fan, and I talked about yesterday..for archival purpose.
1) Time for New Business Model:
After seeing two leagues go under, maybe it’s time for current generation of players to realize that it’s fairly difficult to make a living off of playing pro soccer alone. This should be one of many goals for management and players to aspire though…a future where players will have salary to play soccer full-time.
I agree with you that current leagues (or new league) need to be mindful of all players, not just those who are members of USWNT..the 5%.The model you alluded to in this post is in other countries. American players, like Ella Masar and Joanna Loham, saw this first hand and we know that Masar wrote recently that she’d be fine with having to work and play. Teams/clubs can absorb costs by having some players work for them in realm of marketing, PR, etc. [You also referred to MLB/NFL in the pre-TV contract days and mentioned that players had off-season jobs (and sometimes in-season jobs). If you have any literature on heydays of these leagues, let us readers know.]
The model could allow leagues and players some flexibility. In the WNBA, WNBA, some players, like Diana Taursi, are here in summer and play in Europe in winter. We are now seeing this to extent with WPS players going abroad when domestic season ended. You think it could work if players stick locally in and out-of-season.
2) MLS-partnership:
As we know, there are varying expectations as well as support for men’s and women’s pro sports here. Other than WNBA (which is subsidized by NBA, I believe), I don’t know of any pro team sports for women. So far, MLS seems reluctant to support pro women’s league financially. I am not too discouraged though because I do see individual MLS teams, like the Timbers and Chivas, partnering up with women’s clubs. In my opinion, some form of partnership is better than none at all. In fact, MLS would be smart to take opportunity to partner up with local women’s teams so they can better promote games to female fans.
3) Teams/Clubs Need to Do Hard Work With or Without US Soccer:
I agree with you, Scott, that teams/clubs will succeed and fail on the basis of their “own creativity, biz model, and LOCAL support.” Each club is responsible for its own business and staying in such. You argued that league has minimum standards for membership/play, NOT for how each team/club conducts its own business. I agree.
You have no issues with clubs paying whatever they want. I agree — just so long they don’t go overboard. Owners need to show commitment, honor mission and value statement of leagues, and abide by basic rules. We wouldn’t want any owners and/or stakeholders who are not committed to mission, don’t care about well being of players and fans, as well as not flexible.
All of us hope for US Soccer to get involved and help facilitate discussion with stakeholders and owners as well as players. Unfortunately, the Federation seems more content with governing than faciliating. In the meantime, teams/clubs will have to do work themselves, learn from mistakes, and use trial-and-error methods. I believe fans are appreciative of doers–those who really try to grow and expose the game. We’re tired of blame game and naysayers.
4) Disadvantages:
As one fan pointed out, a disadvantage of the proposed business model is that players’ college education can lead them away from soccer. Some may walk away from playing pro soccer because of grad school, real jobs, or accustomed lifestyle. She noted the practicalities of life can lure talent away.
Another disadvantage of this model is the player pool will probably look more different. Some of our best athletes may choose to play abroad in Europe, Japan, or anywhere that can afford to pay them more money. One wonder about what MLS landscape would be look if talented players, like Dempsey, stay in the country.
Another to consider is financial costs should leagues decide to take on model currently in Europe. As one fan pointed out, cost of health insurance is expensive for any mid-sized business and Europe doesn’t have to worry about that. Players in the US may get insurance through their day jobs, which might the only way keep costs down.I admit I don’t know much about health insurance costs in pro sports.
All the more reason why teams/clubs and league(s) will have to be creative and find ways to generate revenues from several places to help subsidize or pay for medical insurances.
I refuse to believe that the future of women’s soccer is limited. The management and critics do not speak for all stakeholders, including players and fans. We really need to pick our battles wisely and tackle issues heads-on together.