Womens Sports Fighting for Recognition in Boston :: Athletics Athletes Papers

Womens Sports Fighting for Recognition in capital of MassachusettsCompeting in a city yearn sidled with a racist reputation, sports teams and organizations in Boston have long worked to ward equality, or at least a perception of it. But in the past few decades, a new battlefield has emerged in the sports-mad citys culture war - womens sports. This fresh fight, taken up recently by a professional soccer organization and Title IX-backed activists at Bostons many colleges, isnt so much against anti-inclusive bigwigs - moderne day Yawkeys - but against norms, financial constraints and fan interest.The women dont have to prove they have a right to play. They have to prove they can - and people will watch.WUSA working to ReorganizeThe Womens United Soccer Association (WUSA) started with big dreams, but thin pocketbooks. Around the time of the 1999 Womens World Cup, plans were being formulated to start the United States number one ever womens professional soccer confederation. When the U.S. won the Cup before record crowds and jaw-dropping television figures, it was final. There would be a league, with most of the U.S. Cup roster splay between eight teams, including squads based in Boston, Atlanta, Washingon D.C. and Philadelphia.The WUSA opened its doors in 2001 to much fanfare - and heavy attendance. Bostons entry, the Breakers, drew 8,101 fans a game, and Washington led the league with a 14,421 average.Emotionally, things were great. Financially, things werent. Though investors had put nearly $100 million into startup costs, except Hyundai and Johnson & Johnson signed on as major corporate backers. Still, the league survived, but only for a while. A business plan that called for heavy corporate sponsorship didnt pan out, and by the September end of the 2003 season, the circumstances were so dire that WUSA executives announced the league was ceasing operation, effectively immediately. As if to complete its ashes-to-ashes flavor, announcement coincided with th e start of the 2003 Womens World Cup. We had some great sponsors, WUSA commissioner Tony DiCicco said. The way our previous business plan worked, we had to reach a trusted number for sponsorship. We knew that after tickets and licensing, we needed this much in sponsorship, and this much from investors. We werent reaching the number in sponsors, therefore investors had to put in more money.In the leagues three-year run, Boston showed it can support a major professional womens soccer team as well as any city.