WPS on Hold for 2012
- Updated: January 30, 2012
The owners of the five-team Women’s Professional Soccer voted on Monday morning to suspend the 2012 season, citing the costs associated with the litigation involving magicJack owner Dan Borislow as the primary culprit.
In a league issued e-mail that was sent to the players on Monday morning, the owners said that they attempted to circumvent costs of the lawsuit, but ultimately, could not find a way. On Monday afternoon, the league issued a statement confirming that there, in fact, would not be first division women’s soccer in 2012.
“We are proud of what the League has accomplished in the first three seasons, but 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,” Sky Blue FC Owner Thomas Hofstetter said in a statement. “This was a very difficult decision, but one we as owners feel is the best business decision for the League at this time.”
Hofstetter and his fellow owners spent much of the 2011 season involved in a number of bitter public disputes with Borislow. After the conclusion of the season Borislow, the inventor of the magicJack brand, took the league to court in November after his team was banished from WPS. Although the suit was dropped earlier this month, it appears that the funds devoted to defending the action didn’t leave enough in the bank to finance the league’s fourth season.
Former Breakers forward Tiffany Weimer, the current editor-in-chief at Our Game Magazine, weighed in on the decision to suspend the 2012 on her Facebook page.
“Extremely disappointing news today from WPS…Female athletes needs these opportunities…hoping for the best in 2013,” Weimer said.
WPS was launched as an eight-team league in 2009, but quickly saw its numbers dwindle after original members Los Angeles Sol, FC Gold Pride, Saint Louis Athetica and Chicago Red Stars all folded. Although Atlanta and Western New York were subsequently added, the five-team league had to file a petition with FIFA in order to keep its division 1 status in tact.
That, along with revolving door at the commissioner’s office and low turnouts at the ticket window, seemed to indicate that the league was on life support in recent months. Attendance spiked in the weeks following last summer’s epic U.S.-Japan World Cup final, giving hope to those who believed that the league could survive.
Shortly before the league and Borislow reached a deal to end the suit, the league conducted its annual player draft on Jan. 13, and a renewed sense of optimism emerged. But, it appears that the simple math forced the league into holding pattern for 2012, and perhaps beyond.
However, WPS CEO Jennifer Sullivan remained hopeful that with a year to re-group, the league will be in a favorable position to re-launch its brand in 2013.
“We firmly believe there is a place in the global sports landscape for Women’s Professional Soccer,” O’Sullivan said in a statement. “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 in order to provide appropriate support needed to achieve the League’s long-term goals. Those that take part in our League – players, partners and fans – deserve the best, and that is what we are taking the time to ensure we deliver when we resume play in 2013 and beyond.”
WPS’ predecessor, Women’s United Soccer Association (WUSA), lasted only three seasons (1999-2002) before it was forced to fold for financial reasons. Between 2003-2008, Women’s Premier Soccer League (WPSL) and the USL-sponsored W-League served as the top women’s leagues in the United States.
Related Posts
About Brian O'Connell
