Alberto7 Posted January 30, 2012 Share Posted January 30, 2012 Ugghh. Here we go again with another Women's pro league going down. Looks like the W-league becomes the only game in town once again. You have to wonder where players like Christine Sinclair and Karina Leblanc will end up, not to mention all the American stars. http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2012/01/30/wps-cancels-12-season-citing-legal-operational-issues WPS cancels '12 season citing legal, operational issues Strain of litigation with magicJack owner Borislow proves too costly January 30, 2012 Simon Borg MLSsoccer.com Less than 24 hours after the US women’s national team wrapped up a dominating display in claiming the CONCACAF Olympic qualifying tournament title, the lone American women’s professional soccer league has decided to cancel its 2012 season. Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS) issued a statement on Monday afternoon announcing that the league’s board of governors voted to suspend operations in 2012 “to permit the league to focus on the resolution of certain pending legal issues and the challenges that now face the league as a result of its ongoing dispute with a former owner.” Although not mentioned by name in the press release, that former owner is magicJack’s Dan Borislow, who has been engaged in a legal battle with WPS after the league terminated his Florida-based franchise last year in the midst of a publicly contentious relationship. Earlier this month, a judge ruled in favor of Borislow in stating that WPS did not follow procedure in eliminating the club. The court case is ongoing with further hearings set to be held. "We have diverted so many resources into litigation,'' WPS CEO Jennifer O’Sullivan told The Associated Press. "This is something that needs to be resolved before we can move forward with play.'' Added Sky Blue FC owner Thomas Hofstetter in a statement: "We do recognize the necessity to resolve our existing legal and operational issues so that we can continue to support and grow WPS the right way." The three-year-old league received sanctioning from the US Soccer Federation to move forward in 2012 with only five teams and recently conducted its annual draft on Jan. 13. Despite the ongoing legal issues, WPS is eyeing a potential return to action next year. "With our supporters and athletes in mind, we are committed to complete the hard work necessary to resume play in 2013 and re-establish WPS as the premiere women's professional soccer league in the world,” O'Sullivan said in a league statement. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redcoatsforever Posted January 30, 2012 Share Posted January 30, 2012 That f***ing MagicJack ******* strikes again... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drew Shaw Posted January 31, 2012 Share Posted January 31, 2012 There wasn't anyone in Canada willing to pay the bills for a WPS franchise, so we're obviously not going to see any pro teams in Canada now. If we needed MLS to get mens pro soccer in Canada, then we won't be going alone on the womens game. W-League is better than other regional leagues, but is constrained by a short season and university eligibility constraints. I see no way forward for the top Canadian players other than to do what the Yanks do, and turn our womens team into a team of paid pros. Can the CSA afford that, even with the $2M per annum from the Own the Podium Programme that the women sucured for the next four years with their Olympic qualification? And since we're hosting the 2015 FIFA Womens World Cup, shouldn't we professionalise our Womens Nats anyways for the next 3 years? The only way this is going to improve is for people to get out and pay to watch W-League soccer, especially in Van, Tor, and Mtl. I will do my bit this year in supporting the Victoria Highlanders women. Only if the existing MLS teams see womens soccer as a break-even proposition will they be willing to pay for professional womens teams. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alberto7 Posted January 31, 2012 Author Share Posted January 31, 2012 The only way this is going to improve is for people to get out and pay to watch W-League soccer, especially in Van, Tor, and Mtl. I will do my bit this year in supporting the Victoria Highlanders women. Only if the existing MLS teams see womens soccer as a break-even proposition will they be willing to pay for professional womens teams. I agree wholeheartedly. I caught a couple of Laval Cometes games last year and was pleasantly surprised. They play a very offense oriented game with plenty of passion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soccer9 Posted January 31, 2012 Share Posted January 31, 2012 Really sad this is happening. On the other hand, in an Olympics year, maybe not as bad timing since many players would most likley miss 50% of season due to National Team duties. After a very busy 2011-12 period with WC and Olympics, ... next couple of years will be quieter, and thus elite players will be looking for the WPS and other pro leagues to keep them active Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alberto7 Posted January 31, 2012 Author Share Posted January 31, 2012 I really don't see WPS coming back. I don't think there is a market for a women's pro soccer league in North America. WUSA tried to capitalize on the success of the 1999 WWC and folded after three years. WPS is no different. They were down to only 5 teams. Pro soccer is a tough sell in the USA and Canada. Women's pro soccer an impossible one. I think, like it exists around the world, the way to go is small, regional, semi-pro and amateur leagues. In England they created a Super League in 2010 out of the Women's Premier League but they had to make it semi-pro as there simply wasn't the money available. These are women's teams that mostly belong to rich EPL teams. If with all the money these clubs have they have to go semi-pro, what chance is there for a pro league in North America trying to operate on its own. The W-league is far from perfect but they got the regional model right. If only they could increase the number of games to something like 20 per team per season, it would be a step in the right direction. I'm not sure what their rules are in terms of age restriction, but this can be tweaked to allow a certain amount of overage players on each team. Anyone know what Women's leagues are like in places like France, China and Japan? I suspect semi-pro as well but I'm not sure. Your thoughts? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amacpher Posted January 31, 2012 Share Posted January 31, 2012 I Anyone know what Women's leagues are like in places like France, China and Japan? I suspect semi-pro as well but I'm not sure. Your thoughts? I thought the Swedish league was one of the best in the world before WPS came along. Although Germany has won most of the recent UEFA Champions Leagues. I don't know about the salaries in Europe, but they must be chicken-feed if the world's best players always swarm over to the USA every time a league starts up here (just to earn, on average about $30,000/year). Makes you wonder about the business sense of the people running WPS (and WUSA) because the USA either has the best league in the world or no league at all. Obviously they've got that NASL/America has to be the best at everything mentality. Seems a more level-headed, MLS-like mentality is what is needed. I say good riddance and GTFO until you know how to run a proper, stable business. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alberta white Posted January 31, 2012 Share Posted January 31, 2012 Complicated story in the England but up until about the 1990 Womens football was very much undersold/ ingnored/ persecuted. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Women's_football_in_England Main thing is since its resurgence of the womens game the top womens teams are effectivley now part of the major club structure. Again the FA facilitates the Leagues but does not own it in the NA franchise style model. Its part of the Old Club V franchise thing again I suppose. I still think to the most part the players are semi-Pro, but within their field are probably as a national side, developing better than the Mens National side. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alberto7 Posted January 31, 2012 Author Share Posted January 31, 2012 Found this very interesting article on salaries in WPS: http://www.ehow.com/info_7785568_average-professional-female-soccer-player.html Average salary in 2010 was $27,000 but top players like Christine Sinclair made $60 to 80K . That's more than a lot of MLS players make. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hc1 Posted February 1, 2012 Share Posted February 1, 2012 If you have not read the sad, disturbing post by Ella Masar about life with Magic Jack, do yourself a favor and dive in: http://www.pitchsidereport.com/2012/01/31/ella-masar-no-more-silence/ . Its a reality-check view from the trenches that makes Abby Wambach's glowing endorsement of Dan Borislow, made just the day before seem... very bad: http://www.nationalsoccerwire.com/news/460/15685 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alberta white Posted February 1, 2012 Share Posted February 1, 2012 Forgive My ignorance but if I'm reading this correctly. One team owner pulls the plug and the whole League goes down? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alberto7 Posted February 1, 2012 Author Share Posted February 1, 2012 Here is the perspective of a few British players. Interesting that the leagues in England, Germany and Sweden are all semi-pro. http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/16805986 England's Kelly Smith devastated by US league cancellation England striker Kelly Smith says she is "devastated" after learning the 2012 Women's Professional Soccer League in the United States has been cancelled. Smith, 33, is one of five British players who are now without a club in a year that features Euro 2013 qualification and the Olympics. "It was a total shock to receive the email from the league," said Smith, who is England's all-time leading scorer. "It's a big year for women's football with the Euros and Olympics." Alex Scott, who is a team-mate of Smith's at Boston, and Sky Blue FC duo Anita Asante and Karen Bardsley are also searching for new clubs following the decision, which was taken as a result of an ongoing legal dispute with a former club owner. Scotland defender Ifeoma Dieke, currently on loan in Sweden and highly likely to make the Great Britain Olympic squad, is also signed to Boston. A fifth England player, Eni Aluko, had already decided to leave the US and return to England to play for Birmingham City in the Women's Super League, which she feels is more stable. It is the second time Smith has been left without a club in America after the previous professional league failed in 2003 while she was with Philadelphia Charge. "I've been shaking my head thinking I can't believe this has happened again," she told BBC Sport. "If a professional women's league was going to happen anywhere it's the US but that seems to have failed, so maybe that's not the way forward. "They play semi-pro in Sweden, Germany and England." Smith is hopeful of landing a deal elsewhere though. "I've already had phone calls [with offers]," she revealed. "It's about playing regularly ahead of the Olympics and Euros. I'll sit down and sort the best option. "The deal has to be right and to be playing regular football in order to get yourself seen for England and also for the Great Britain team." League chief Jennifer O'Sullivan said: "Making the decision to suspend the 2012 season was a difficult and painful one, but it is necessary to take the time to address current issues and solidify our business." The league, which features five teams - Atlanta Beat, Boston Breakers, Philadelphia Independence, Sky Blue FC and Western New York Flash - plans to return for the 2013 season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alberta white Posted February 1, 2012 Share Posted February 1, 2012 So Can the Player Counter-sue the MadgicJacksor the league for restriction of trade? Is this not the kind of dispute that the relevant football association, and by extention FIFA, be able to deal with? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Ref Posted February 2, 2012 Share Posted February 2, 2012 Will the five teams in the now defunct WPS get to automatically play in the W-League? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alberta white Posted February 2, 2012 Share Posted February 2, 2012 Will the five teams in the now defunct WPS get to automatically play in the W-League? Would seem a simple fix but I bet its not. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alberto7 Posted February 2, 2012 Author Share Posted February 2, 2012 Will the five teams in the now defunct WPS get to automatically play in the W-League? It isn't that simple. Western New York Flash play out of Rochester as do the Rochester Ravens. The Flash could go back to Buffalo (where they played when they were originally in the W-league) but I doubt it. There is also the case of the Atlanta Beat and Atlanta Silverbacks Women. Who goes and who stays? My money is on the current W-league teams staying. I'm sure we will see an influx of WPS players in the W-league. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amacpher Posted February 2, 2012 Share Posted February 2, 2012 Here is the perspective of a few British players. Interesting that the leagues in England, Germany and Sweden are all semi-pro. http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/16805986 "If a professional women's league was going to happen anywhere it's the US but that seems to have failed, so maybe that's not the way forward. I don't get that comment. Why would the USA be the only place a professional women's league can survive? Soccer is a niche sport here. On paper a professional league seems more likely to be successful in England or Germany. Large soccer-loving fan base and established men's clubs to team-up with. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alberta white Posted February 2, 2012 Share Posted February 2, 2012 I don't get that comment. Why would the USA be the only place a professional women's league can survive? Soccer is a niche sport here. On paper a professional league seems more likely to be successful in England or Germany. Large soccer-loving fan base and established men's clubs to team-up with. Because in the UK, as a spectator sport womens football is lower down the picking order than Darts and dominoes. It had a grounswell of support before WW2,but the FA kneecapped in favour of the Mens game. Sadly it still strugges with the Image of been an activity for Butch Lesbians (yeah I know, shocking isn't It?). The BBC promotes it strongley these days, and the Ladies FA Cup is getting bigger crowds. But on any given weekend their is a choice watching the EPL, three divisions of football League or Three competative Non-league divisons. Then there are two codes of Profesional Rugby. Take into account X Sports and activites such as Gymnastics, Aquestrian activites....Fishing! Funnily enough, irrespective of my personal overtion for the competition*, the Olympics will help the Profile of the Womens game in the UK, as did the Euros some time Back . You are right about piggy-backing (EEK) the womens teams onto the Main Clubs however. this is the Current modus operandi. It helps that the Clubs are not franchises dependent upon the vagaries of the League. * GB stopped playing Olympic football in 1960 when putting out amature sides became untenable - in the UK's case It should have stayed that way.* Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amacpher Posted February 2, 2012 Share Posted February 2, 2012 Because in the UK, as a spectator sport womens football is lower down the picking order than Darts and dominoes. It had a grounswell of support before WW2,but the FA kneecapped in favour of the Mens game. Sadly it still strugges with the Image of been an activity for Butch Lesbians (yeah I know, shocking isn't It?). The BBC promotes it strongley these days, and the Ladies FA Cup is getting bigger crowds. But on any given weekend their is a choice watching the EPL, three divisions of football League or Three competative Non-league divisons. Then there are two codes of Profesional Rugby. Take into account X Sports and activites such as Gymnastics, Aquestrian activites....Fishing! You have all those competing events in the USA too though. I don't know...to me it seems more marketable in the U.K. Women's soccer provides a cheaper, up-close, albeit lower quality, version of the sport all people love to watch over there. In the U.S.A., the MLS already provides that for a person if (BIG IF!!) they even like soccer in the first place. Women's professional leagues can work as long as the sport itself is popular and there is support from men's leagues/teams. This is illustrated with the WNBA. It would help though if women soccer players weren't dressed like men. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alberta white Posted February 3, 2012 Share Posted February 3, 2012 You have all those competing events in the USA too though. I don't know...to me it seems more marketable in the U.K. Women's soccer provides a cheaper, up-close, albeit lower quality, version of the sport all people love to watch over there. In the U.S.A., the MLS already provides that for a person if (BIG IF!!) they even like soccer in the first place. Women's professional leagues can work as long as the sport itself is popular and there is support from men's leagues/teams. This is illustrated with the WNBA. It would help though if women soccer players weren't dressed like men. ## WHOOPS! Blatter comment alert, Blatter comment alert## Even though some of the womens teams are now under the bigger clubs umbrella, they dont get that much promotion. In most cases they tend to play out of a non-league facility such as the Leeds United Ladies do . In most cases these tend to be out of the way establishments on the Outskirts of town. http://www.leedsunitedladies.com/get-to-the-game In the clubs Pecking order you will normally find the First team, then the Reserves, followed by the Youth or Academy, and then the Masters/Legends (charity team) All of whom get to use the Main Ground first before the Ladies do. They don't market football as Product in the UK in the same way as they do over in North America. Most clubs rely on countless years of traditional support. The promotion of the EPL over here is not the same as the promotion in the UK. SKY (FOX) TV has tried to Americanize it but the Hack Media and the BBC can be garanteed to "be Keeping it real" for the home fanbase. The Olympics will help the Profile, but If it wasn't for them been in the UK chances are more attention would be paid to the Mens Hockey tournement. We'll they did win a Gold medal in 1994 whilst wearing Red.... And they had a winger who looked like Steve Coppel. During the game, as Englan... sorry GB scored their third goal, Barry Gubber, a regular football comentator, proclaming "Where were the Germans? Quite Frankly, who cares!" "BY 'ECK! it were Just like 1966 all over again!":D FYI: the Leed United Ladies (or THE BLONDES, as I shall call them from now on) - Website is below. http://www.leedsunitedladies.com/meet-the-players Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vic Posted February 3, 2012 Share Posted February 3, 2012 But on any given weekend their is a choice watching the EPL, three divisions of football League or Three competative Non-league divisons. Then there are two codes of Profesional Rugby. Take into account X Sports and activites such as Gymnastics, Aquestrian activites....Fishing! WSL chose April to October to not compete with men's football. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alberta white Posted February 3, 2012 Share Posted February 3, 2012 WSL chose April to October to not compete with men's football. but that clashes with the Rugby League season, the Cricket and weekend trips out to IKEA! Actually I agree. The FA are finally getting their act together with the promotion of the womens game. Bringing the Womens FA back into the FA helped enormously. To be honest its only the Last 20 years that they have taken it seriously, which makes the England teams rankings noteworthy . The hard thing is still convincing the English Soccer watching public, which frankly sees womens football as the equivalent of feeding a rubber bone to a starving dog, to actually go and watch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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