Dawn Riley, President of the Women's Sports Foundation, issued the following statement:
Published: September 17, 2003
"The Women's Sports Foundation commends John Hendricks and the other investors of the WUSA for their leadership in establishing the first women's professional soccer league in the United States. The WUSA developed a significant fan base, produced high-quality games and established the USA as the mecca for women's professional soccer, attracting the world's finest players. It was unfortunate that the critical second and third years of the league occurred during an economic downturn in which significant new corporate sports sponsorships were few and far between. We cannot forget that professional sports leagues are difficult to take hold. It took nine tries for the NFL to become successful. We hope that the disappointment felt by the little girls across the country is minimized and we look forward to the next iteration of women's professional soccer. It will happen.
We are excited to see our legendary USA national team compete for another Women's World Cup title in the coming weeks. This team has ignited the aspirations of millions of girls who now play the game of soccer and inspired the American public with their expression of the true spirit and joy of sport. They are a special group of women who put their hearts on the line every time they step onto the field and who gave their utmost to the establishment of the WUSA. They deserve our support."
Q&A with Donna Lopiano, Chief Executive Officer, Women's Sports Foundation
What is the future of women's professional soccer?I don't think there's any question that women's professional soccer will return. In fact, don't count them out yet, they may very well continue. Ideally any league has a better prospect for success when the following prerequisites are present: (1) adequate corporate sponsorship, (2) strong long-term support from committed investors, (3) passionate local ownership with a strong grassroots marketing team and (4) a pool of talented players involved in selling their league to the public. The WUSA had a core of top investors but lacked the local ownership and corporate sponsors required. Several of the franchises had top marketing teams and there is no question they possessed the player talent pool. I think they just might continue in a different form.
What is the future of women's professional sports? I'm very bullish on the future of professional sports for women. We can't forget that mass participation of women in sport in the USA is only 30 years old -- in its infancy. There will be leagues that make it and leagues that don't, just as there were men's leagues that made it and many that didn't. Each league that fails improves the learning curve. I think the most critical challenge for women's pro sports will be lack of a television package with sufficient reach to draw top corporate sponsors. There is such a glut of men's sports on TV now, most under long-term contracts with huge rights fees investments on the part of television carriers, that there's no room for women's sports to grow in this critical medium. This is the puzzle that needs to be solved.
What will be outcome of the Women's World Cup? No one has a crystal ball, but we do know a few things. First, the USA is favored for good reason. We have a team that has been together and at the top of their game for well over a decade. They are intensely competitive and have great heart. We know that they will give their very best effort. Second, we know that women's soccer in other countries has really improved over the last four years. Our team will face a greater test. Third, the World Cup has returned to the USA, and for many of our national team players, this will be their last World Cup. All of these factors make for great drama and exciting competition. Sports fans couldn't ask for more! I am sure that the demise of the WUSA will not affect the play of our team. This is the Olympics of soccer. These athletes will not lose focus.
Founded in 1974 by Billie Jean King, the Women's Sports Foundation is a national charitable educational organization seeking to advance the well-being and leadership skills of girls and women through sports and fitness. The Foundation's Participation, Education, Advocacy, Research and Leadership programs are made possible by gifts from individuals, foundations and corporations. The Foundation is located in Nassau County, N.Y. For more information, please call the Foundation at (800) 227-3988 or visit www.WomensSportsFoundation.org or AOL Keyword: WSF.