Re-launch of pro women’s soccer

Elizabeth Pacheco Sports Editor

In Fall 2003, after only three years of existence, the Women’s United Soccer Association (W.U.S.A.) folded due the lack of funds, attendance and television ratings. However, the hope of establishing a professional women’s American soccer league did not fade away, and just over a year later on December 7, 2004, the Women’s Soccer Initiative, Inc. announced the launch of a new league. Projected to begin in 2008, the company’s CEO, Tonya Antonucci, has done mostly underground work to get the league started. Two weeks ago, however, Antonucci publicly announced that there are ownership groups in the Boston and New York areas that will support the planned eight-team circuit scheduled to begin next April.

Despite this news, one wonders what the prospects of another professional soccer team surviving in the United States really are. When the W.U.S.A. was established, Americans were still infatuated with the success of the Women’s World Cup win in 1999, and soccer stars such as Mia Hamm, Julie Foudy and Joy Fawcett. Even with these players, the league still encountered trouble in keeping fans’ attention (and money).

To make this league a success, Antonucci must continue to be careful with funds and to develop strong support before the league’s official launch. Currently an executive for Yahoo, Antonucci has had plenty of experience in the soccer world; she played at Stanford University with Foudy and held coaching jobs at Stanford and Santa Clara University, and seems confident about the league’s chance for success.

“We need to get a few things right and give women’s professional soccer another chance in this country,” Antonucci said in an interview with The New York Times. “We have a more conservative business plan, with an average budget of between $1.5-$2.5 million a team, including salaries.”

Keeping salaries at realistic levels may be a challenge for Antonucci, who is banking on the popularity of Aly Wagner, Heather O’Reilly and Abby Wambach to replace the glory of the veterans that attracted big-name sponsors and filled the stadiums in 2000. As of now, the teams involved are Boston, New York/New Jersey, Washington, St. Louis, Dallas, Los Angeles, Chicago, and a final city yet to be decided. Unlike in the W.U.S.A., the league will work in conjunction with the American soccer industry, including Major League Soccer. By doing this, Antonucci hopes to keep expenses low and attract more fans.

While in theory the league could be a real success, its feasibility will be tested over the next few months as Antonucci looks to sign both the sponsors and the players who will make or break the league.