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New York Area, Boston to Get Teams in New Women's Soccer League
By Erik Matuszewski
April 18 (Bloomberg) -- Professional women's soccer will return to the New York-New Jersey and Boston areas next year after ownership groups in both markets today joined five other cities to relaunch a U.S. league.
The eight-team Women's United Soccer Association suspended operations in 2003 after three seasons.
New York-New Jersey and Boston join Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, St. Louis and Washington as charter members of the new league, which is scheduled to begin play in April 2008, the Women's Soccer Initiative Inc. said in a news release. An eighth market will be named later.
``These markets are vibrant media and cultural centers,'' Women's Soccer Initiative Chief Executive Tonya Antonucci said in a statement. ``We now have a strong East Coast presence and an important base for fan development as we pursue sponsorship and partnership opportunities.''
Home stadiums for the new franchises weren't disclosed.
The start of the new league is timed to capitalize on interest built during the Women's World Cup in China in September. The WUSA started play in 2001, with clubs such as the New York Power and Boston Breakers, after the U.S. won the 1999 Women's World Cup. The league folded because of poor attendance and financial difficulties.
Teams in the new league will play in stadiums specifically designed for soccer, bringing fans closer to the game and giving franchises the chance to generate and retain more revenue. The Women's Soccer Initiative also said it is joining established soccer and sports marketing organizations to build the league, including a possible relationship with Major League Soccer.
To contact the reporter on this story: Erik Matuszewski in New York at matuszewski@bloomberg.net
Last Updated: April 18, 2007 11:18 EDT
New York Area, Boston to Get Teams in New Women's Soccer League
By Erik Matuszewski
April 18 (Bloomberg) -- Professional women's soccer will return to the New York-New Jersey and Boston areas next year after ownership groups in both markets today joined five other cities to relaunch a U.S. league.
The eight-team Women's United Soccer Association suspended operations in 2003 after three seasons.
New York-New Jersey and Boston join Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, St. Louis and Washington as charter members of the new league, which is scheduled to begin play in April 2008, the Women's Soccer Initiative Inc. said in a news release. An eighth market will be named later.
``These markets are vibrant media and cultural centers,'' Women's Soccer Initiative Chief Executive Tonya Antonucci said in a statement. ``We now have a strong East Coast presence and an important base for fan development as we pursue sponsorship and partnership opportunities.''
Home stadiums for the new franchises weren't disclosed.
The start of the new league is timed to capitalize on interest built during the Women's World Cup in China in September. The WUSA started play in 2001, with clubs such as the New York Power and Boston Breakers, after the U.S. won the 1999 Women's World Cup. The league folded because of poor attendance and financial difficulties.
Teams in the new league will play in stadiums specifically designed for soccer, bringing fans closer to the game and giving franchises the chance to generate and retain more revenue. The Women's Soccer Initiative also said it is joining established soccer and sports marketing organizations to build the league, including a possible relationship with Major League Soccer.
To contact the reporter on this story: Erik Matuszewski in New York at matuszewski@bloomberg.net
Last Updated: April 18, 2007 11:18 EDT