From the New York Times:

Women's Soccer League Folds on Eve of World Cup
By JERE LONGMAN

Five days before the start of the World Cup, the development of professional women's soccer in this country suffered a huge blow yesterday when the Women's United Soccer Association announced that it was suspending operations after three seasons.

Some 56 players from several countries who are participating in the Women's World Cup, which is scheduled to begin Saturday, currently or formerly played in the eight-team W.U.S.A. While the league is considered the world's best for women, its revenues fell far below the level of its talent.

The shutdown of the league now leaves the United States with just the Women's National Basketball Association as a top-flight professional league and demonstrates the difficulties that women's sports — particularly independent leagues — have in attracting corporate sponsors.


Full article here (http://www.nytimes.com/2003/09/16/sports/soccer/16SOCC.html?ex=1064376000&en=46e8f003b0d054ed&ei=5065&) (need free account).

As much as I love soccer and women (not to mention soccer-playing women) I have to say that this is not breaking my heart. I'm also not too surprised - women's soccer just isn't very attractive (pun not intended) when it's pumped through the tube. I also liked going to the DC United/Washington Freedom doubleheaders, but much of that was a social thing, plus I had (have?) a crush on Mia Hamm.

But the MLS can't sustain a "sister league" a la the NBA/WNBA relationship. Women's sports simply doesn't sell, but what does the commercial failure of women's sports mean for women's sports, if anything? With the waning interest in the most successful (sponsorship-wise) women's sport - tennis (less Williams sister = lower ratings. See: US open) what's left of professional women's sports? Is the "proper" place for women's sports on the field and not on the tube?

Hmm, interesting thread. I know I never paid much attention to Women's Boxing until Christy Martin and, of course, Mia St. John (:drool:). But the matches in women's boxing just never compared to the skill level of the men's side and I lost interest.

With tennis, I do still enjoy the women's tour simply because you see a lot more rallies and less ace winners. Now, of course, I do like the power game, but I think it's a trade-off. To me, the game has not really been the same since the serve and volley took a back seat to the power ground stroke game. Admittedly, I am more a fan of a touch game combined with power like a Boris Becker or even a McEnroe. Steffi Graf and Navaratilova.

But I am pretty surprised over the collapse of the Women's Soccer team. The level of excitement a few years ago brought women's soccer in North America to the spotlight. I have to wonder is it because of lack of airtime, or lack of media coverage, or lack of regularly scheduled games, or lack of wins, or lack of quality financial control, which led to lack of sponsorship and ultimately, lack of a team.

:vebo: :vebo:
:vebo: Any sport team collapsing is good news! :vebo:
:vebo: :vebo:

even though I love playing soccer, I cant stand to watch womens soccer, I cant really explain why... I just can't... but hey if the WUSA folds then at least Nomar won't need to leave Boston to be with his sweetie Mia.....hehehehehe!!! see I found a positive note:)