WUSA Suspends Operations (Full News Report)

WUSA Suspends Operations

NEW YORK CITY (Monday, September 15, 2003) - The Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA) announced that it is suspending operations effective immediately. The decision was made by the league's Board of Governors at a meeting today in New York City as a result of insufficient revenue to support a fourth year of play.

"A shortfall in sponsorship revenue and insufficient revenue from other core areas of the business proved to be the hurdles which the WUSA could not overcome in time for planning the 2004 season," said John Hendricks, Chairman of the WUSA Board of Governors. "At this time, let me thank the great WUSA sponsors led by charter sponsors Hyundai and Johnson & Johnson who did step forward to enthusiastically support our league since inception."

WUSA President and CEO Lynn Morgan commented, "It's been very gratifying to watch this league elevate women's sports to a whole new level of awareness and respect. I would personally like to thank the WUSA league and team employees, the passionate WUSA fans, our investors, and the wonderful athletes who compete in this league for their commitment to soccer and women's athletics."

The WUSA's owners have invested more than $100 million to date to fund the league. The decision by the WUSA Board of Governors to suspend operations was made after reviewing revenue commitments for 2004. Of the WUSA's potential revenue sources, the breadth of corporate sponsorship has been the greatest disappointment, reaching less than half of the levels anticipated in the league's original business plan.

WUSA's current cash reserves in combination with receivables and planned investment financing are not sufficient to continue operations. The WUSA Board met and acted today in order to protect funding for the league's shutdown obligations including severance arrangements. The Board was also anxious to avoid the potential disruption caused by continued uncertainty during upcoming World Cup play. The Board was unanimous in the belief that, given the financial realities facing the league, it was in everyone's best interest to make an immediate decision and announcement.

The league was formed as a unique partnership between the owners and the players, with founding players taking an active role in league management and also an equity stake. Julie Foudy, captain of the San Diego Spirit and U.S. World Cup team and a member of the WUSA Board of Governors, commented, "We appreciate the wonderful commitment that the WUSA owners have made to the players. The impact of the WUSA on women's sports and millions of fans has been extraordinary."

"The Women's World Cup will provide a platform to generate additional interest in women's soccer that could be the catalyst to more sponsor support to revive the WUSA," Foudy continued. "The positive impact our sport has had on youth players, both boys and girls, and their perception of women and athletics, has been inspiring to experience first hand. It is empowering for kids to have role models like the players of the WUSA."

"The players remain hopeful that more sponsors will recognize the value of associating their brands and products with the wholesomeness of the WUSA," Washington Freedom forward and U.S. World Cup team member Mia Hamm said. "Major sponsors committed to bringing back world-class women's soccer could enable a successor league to launch in 2005 or perhaps even earlier."

Featuring the best women's soccer players in the world, WUSA athletes include 56 WUSA players who will compete in the 2003 FIFA Women's World Cup in the United States that kicks off September 20. The eight WUSA teams are the Atlanta Beat, Boston Breakers, Carolina Courage, New York Power, Philadelphia Charge, San Diego Spirit, San Jose CyberRays and the Washington Freedom.

Wed Sep 17, 2003 12:18 pm MST by zenniesbs | Email Article |

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Thu Jul 13, 2006 6:06 pm MST by Mamadshah

hello, i would just like to say that they shoudnt have banned WUSA. if you think about it...they would NEVER ban a mens league....they didnt even really give t a chance....WUSA was an oppertunity for women to experience and show off their talent... gurls look up to those players and i know for a fact many of the players were roel models to us younger players.... We look up to them....and need them to push us.....its helping promoting womens sports....we need it to keep going....whatever it takes

Tue Sep 30, 2003 2:58 pm MST by Anonymous

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Tue Sep 23, 2003 1:01 pm MST by Zennie

Greetings, What I don't understand is why there was not an attemtp to establish a league TV contract, or even a web-based broadcasting approach? Also, I think it's time to consider just how professional women's scoccer is being marketed. I know this may not be a popular point of view amoung women's scoccer purists, but I do believe that a sales approach emphasizing more of the players as sexy and personable would help. I think Women's Tennis provides a great example of how the WUSA should have been marketed. The focus of women's professional tennis is the individual person. So we tune in to watch the Williams' sisters, or Jennifer Capriati, and we comment on their bodies and their clothes. But we watch them and so tennis -- woment's tennis -- thrives. I'm sure that if we find a way to export those characteristics without changing the game, women's soccer will benefit. I think it's important as well to reach the kids in school and get them to the games, via partnerships between the kids and the schools. That important because the girls that go to the games and play the game are the professional players and viewers of the game in the future. It is important to establish that base now.

Sun Sep 21, 2003 10:47 pm MST by Zennie

The WUSA has done so much for me. The ladies who make up the WUSA have impacted my life in ways I could never express. They didn't just play for the money or fame. They played because of their love of the game and because of their love of the fans. This league is so fan friendly. It is just amazing to me that I could actually meet my hero and even get to know so much about them. They brought themselves down to our level so that they could impact our lives. And they truly did impact mine. The WUSA is the best organization I have ever seen and experienced. There are a TON of us out here that are fighting to keep the league alive. PLEASE allow us to help in any way we can. THE WUSA CAN NOT DIE!!!!!

Sun Sep 21, 2003 7:23 pm MST by Anonymous

WUSA Suspends Operations (Full News Report)

WUSA Suspends Operations (Full News Report)

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