Wombach: Endorsements coming?

Discussion in 'USA Women: News and Analysis' started by ttrevett, May 3, 2004.

  1. Awe-Inspiring

    Awe-Inspiring New Member

    Jan 18, 2000
  2. sregis

    sregis Member

    Nov 5, 1999
    Hoboken, USA
    thanks! objectivity at it's best! ;)
     
  3. TOTC

    TOTC Member

    Feb 20, 2001
    Laurel, MD, USA
    I agree. There were some female motorcyclists with short hair and pink triangles on their helmets at the inaugural match, but I think the "family-friendly" angle really turned them off.

    Mind you, you need to realize that defining "gay" is like defining "Hispanic." There are all number of subgroups in each demographic (Honduran, Puerto Rican, Cuban). But they can unify very quickly if one segment (Mexicans) is oppressed in some way.

    The WNBA got a lot of traction in LA by marketing to gay women. In NYC, too. But the reasons the bloom is off the rose for the Libs is that one of the lambda icons (Sue Wicks) is retired, another (T-Spoon) is now in LA, and the team now is languishing at .500. Parenthetically, Wicks came out three years ago and, unlike the Ellen DeGeneres coming out, did not make a SINGLE wave.

    Supporters of soccer teams (REAL supporters, not bandwagoneers) don't care about such things. We want the team to WIN. That's all. Win.

    As for The Wombat: if she is, fine, If she isn't, fine. The internal harmony of the team is strong enough, IMHO, that the presence of one lesbian won't detract from the performance on the pitch.
    _______________
    As for the question that started this whole thing. I think Abby was supposed to have been filming a training-supplement commercial the week after Founders Cup III, but I have never seen it.
     
  4. wildcatsoccer22

    wildcatsoccer22 New Member

    Aug 25, 2004
    USA
    I honestly belive that, although Abby had many great games for the US in this Olympics, it was a team effort, and everyone's commitment was what did it for the U.S. Although Abby did score great goals at crucial times during the games, she could not have done it without the great assists that came to her before that. i:e(Lilly made a great pass to Abby off of the corner kick, putting it right where Abby could finish it off!) This just shows that although Abby is one of the greats, it takes more than just her to win the gold at Athens!!!
     
  5. Awe-Inspiring

    Awe-Inspiring New Member

    Jan 18, 2000
    It was a team effort, but Wambach's relentless, toughness and skill best symbolized what this team ideally is.
     
  6. nsa

    nsa Member+

    New England Revolution
    United States
    Feb 22, 1999
    Notboston, MA
    Club:
    New England Revolution
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Maybe an endorsement for the American Dental Association?
     
  7. defensewins

    defensewins Member

    Nov 15, 1999
    "The United States' 2-1 gold-medal win over Brazil on Thursday night was far from her best game of her career, yet the 24-year-old dynamo managed to find a way to become the ultimate impact player for the Americans - by scoring the winning goal in extra time.

    That's obviously the mark of a money player for someone who took another step toward becoming a leader on this team after the likes of Mia Hamm, Julie Foudy, Brandi Chastain, Kristine Lilly and Joy Fawcett have all moved on.

    Wambach again came through in the clutch with her team-best fourth goal of the Olympics. She has scored an incredible 18 times in her last 20 international matches and for an amazing 33rd time in only 45 appearances."
    http://soccernet.espn.go.com/feature?id=308448&cc=5901

    Abby deserves and seems willing to accept the mantle of being "the face." The question is whether the public likes their "faces" to be more daintyish, ala Hamm. The next face was supposed to be Aly Wagner, who was all over the place before the world cup... then there was an undeserved media fixation on Mitts-of course, neither have done for this team what Abby has-Abby just seems to embody the perfect mix of grit, intelligence and humor. I love to hear the kid talk, I love her attitude. I hope she gets her chance to make some real $$. I think she would be a great spokeswoman for the sport.
     
  8. pillips@webtv.net

    pillips@webtv.net New Member

    Mar 25, 2004
    What are you taking about? if Abby don't finish, no goal result. when somebody else score on an assisst no body say that crap. the final result depend on who put the ball in the back of the net does't it? that is what win matches. and that what Abby does consistencely. I can't keep up with number time Abby save the skin of the NTeam. it seem to me Abby is dislike by many so called fans because of some rumors about her gander preference.
     
  9. j&bontherock

    j&bontherock BigSoccer Supporter



    Nobody hates her for the gender preference, if she is a gay, so what, we appreciate her for what to do on the field.
     
  10. Tom T

    Tom T New Member

    Feb 25, 2003
    Soccer Wasteland

    Where did you go Sandon Mibut - back to the beach?

    A few random thought on this one:
    1)perhaps, Sand was referring to "gender" rather than "sexuality" ???
    If so, then a whole can of worms were stirred up over one word
    2) if not, could this fall under the banner of some sort of warped stereotyping that seems to inflict sport? If a female athlete is good but isn't 5'8" and 120lbs, then she must be gay, right? If Jeff Gordon wins a lot of races and his marriage to the Winston (model) girl breaks-up, then he must be gay, right?
    3) regardless of 1 or 2, it doesn't matter...it's about the soccer, or the racing, or the comedy
    4)it's a slow, rainy night and I have contributed to sidetracking this thread
     
  11. pillips@webtv.net

    pillips@webtv.net New Member

    Mar 25, 2004
    You are only one of the few who think's that way?There are a lot so called fans who say
    she is one dimensional, falls easyly what about Parlow or are some fans blind. get tired. what do there expect from a very large woman running all over the field? there say she can't score by the run of play. is that true? are you reading the boards or do you think I have'nt notice you avoid her test. this is my


    reaction to the poster I have quote and respond your own.
     
  12. Elroy

    Elroy New Member

    Jul 26, 2001
    It's too bad that this gender/sexuality thing is even being discussed. Unless their behavior is criminal, athletes should expect to live private lives just as anyone else.

    I don't think that Abby is going to get a lot of endorsements simply b/c women's soccer just isn't that popular. Even with the Olympic victory fresh, when I ask friends if they watched the game, I get the response " what game? ". I hope that Abby's sexual preference never gets a lot of public play b/c it is simply irrelevant to her participation in sport.

    None the less, I probably lead the criticism of her falling and laying around problems. Interestingly, my wife watched five minutes of the match replayed, and said " That girl has a balance problem. ". I think that she does have a problem with balance, and I dislike the way she lolls about on the ground and leaves her team short handed. I think that she is agreat player, but I also believe she could be even better if she would toughen up. I believe that I am a fan, but also a critic. There is a difference between a fan and a worshipper.

    BTW, I saw on another thread that Abby was fould seven times and committed nine fouls herself. Interesting.
     
  13. RevsRule

    RevsRule Member+

    NE Revs, LAFC
    Jun 9, 1999
    N. Eastern, Mass
    Club:
    New England Revolution
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I don't think she'll ever cash in because for a few basic things:

    She doesn't fit the mold - Mia was a good play (great in earlier times), petit, cool name, and a little cute. Abby is good, but big, not a cool name and not cute. She may be a great player but she is not going to look good on TV. No media attraction


    If Heather Mitts can ever get on the field, she'll cash in.

    It's not fair but life often isn't
     
  14. AB1FAN

    AB1FAN New Member

    Sep 11, 2001
    whereever I want
    Club:
    FFC Turbine Potsdam
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    that was for the teams to decide.
     
  15. HartwickFan

    HartwickFan Member

    Jul 31, 1999
    Climax, MI
    Club:
    VfR Wormatia 08 Worms
    Nat'l Team:
    Tuvalu
    Wambach actually reminds me a lot of Ronaldo (the Brazilian, not the Portugese Ronaldo). Like Ronaldo, Wambach is a huge physical presence -- big, strong, fast, well-skilled, can create her own scoring chances running at defenders and taking them on one on one, and can finish well in the air.
     
  16. needsashower

    needsashower New Member

    May 2, 2004
    down by the river
    I fantasize about bangin' Abby all the time! I'd buy stuff with her face on it. If you're a guy and don't think Abby's one hot piece of a$$ than YOU'RE gay.

    I do think US Women's soccer is going after the lesbian dollar because how else do you explain Heinrich's? She's a horrible coach.
     
  17. sregis

    sregis Member

    Nov 5, 1999
    Hoboken, USA
    you think lesbians are more likely to go to a game if the coach is gay?
     
  18. afgrijselijkheid

    Dec 29, 2002
    mokum
    Club:
    AFC Ajax

    since when does abby look bad on TV? she's not a lingerie model, but geez! the girl has a great smile and there is nothing wrong with her appearance

    and she doesn't have a cool name? :confused: how does one figure this stuff?
     
  19. DeigoRedD

    DeigoRedD Moderator
    Staff Member

    Aug 28, 2004
    Fort Worth, TX
    Club:
    FC Dallas
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I think the smart play to pull attention to the entire team would be to get back to the adds that include multiple players in them.

    Or at least team them up personality wise like say the Agassi-Sampras adds were a few years ago.

    I personally would love to see a Wambach vs Markgraf add. These two players have a straight forward style of play on their own respective ends of the field and off the field have great personalities.
     
  20. Brownswan

    Brownswan New Member

    Jun 30, 1999
    Port St. Lucie, FL
    needsashower needs a shower. Make it a cold one.
     
  21. wildcatsoccer22

    wildcatsoccer22 New Member

    Aug 25, 2004
    USA
    I totally agree with you on that, and I definitely did not mean to offend you by any means. in my opinion, though, the endorsements should come to the " Women's US National Team!" and not just one player, because it takes a team to win gold, and if fans hear that the US team has had success, then that will hopefully lure them in to the world of soccer!
     
  22. jackal

    jackal New Member

    Aug 23, 2003
    So Cal
    I think the sex appeal had definite impact on the attention a team gets.

    Look at the U.S. softball team. Three golds in three attempts. Yet, they remain relatively undetected on the sports radar.

    Really, unless you were/are a softball fan, would the you have even cared or heard about the U.S. softball team this year if it wasn't for the Olys or Jenny (sp?) Finch? Has their success lurd you to the softball world?

    And even though they were and are successful (perhaps morseo than the U.S. women's soccer team) they probably won't get the same amount of attention because they don't have many marketable players with looks or personality.

    Furthermore, sex sells. We're adults and we know that. The sooner you accept that and learn to use that to your advanatge better off you'll be if you're looking to make bank as a spokesperson.
     
  23. futbol014

    futbol014 New Member

    Sep 8, 2001
    Los Angeles, CA

    Thank you for this series of posts--this is a really interesting topic--one that I was hoping would come up on this forum, and one that I really want to hear others' opinions on. I know of Allen Guttmann's work on this subject, (he's an Olympic historian) and more recently the NYT has published articles on this subject (specifically on Olympians posing in magazines) this month, which I include below. The crux of the articles is: this used to be a big deal, and it isn't anymore, although that point is still controversial in some circles. Also, the major turning-point in this shift cited in many people's views, not just soccer fans, is the Chastain celebration during the WC '99. What do you guys think? Is the sexualization of women athletes in 2004 empowering or disempowering? How has it changed since 1999 or 1991? Good for women's soccer or not?

    Thanks.


    http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9F01EFD8163FF931A2575BC0A9629C8B63

    http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F60A17FC3E5B0C768DDDA10894DC404482

    http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C00E4D9123FF936A2575BC0A9629C8B63
     
  24. SABuffalo786

    SABuffalo786 New Member

    May 18, 2002
    Buffalo, New York


    Abby, I didn't know you posted here.
     
  25. jackal

    jackal New Member

    Aug 23, 2003
    So Cal
    I don't know if I would go as far as calling it the "sexualization" since I don't see the governing bodies of the sports making the games women play about sex (as Sepp Blatter suggested with the shorter soccer shorts and tighter unis).

    But I do think female athletes having the opportunity to pose in magazines from FHM to Playboy without suffering any sort of stigma is encouraging. While I don't think posing is empowering, I think their having the option and right to is. Ultimately, it's a personal decision and the ability to exercise that decision is what is empowering.

    I don't know if it's changed so much as the culture has changed. We, thankfully, have gotten a little less uptight about female athletes showing their "goodies." That's a step in the right direction.

    Is it good for soccer? Yes. It brings attention to the game and attracts folks who might not otherwise know or give a second thought to soccer or women's soccer. For example:

    Before this year's Oly's I never watched a woman's field hockey game, a woman's indoor volleyball game or more than 5 minutes of women's pole vaulting. But, after seeing some pictures of "Babes at the Olympics" on FOXSPORTS.COM I made it a point to check out those sports. And guess what. The sports were actually fun to watch. So even after the initial leering and voyeuristic aspect wore off, I did make it a point to tune in whenever the events were broadcast. And while I'm not a converted or rabid field hockey fan, I have a new respect and appreciation for that sport and would probably watch AT least 10 minutes of a game if it was on TV (guys or girls).

    The point is, the sizzle is what brought me in and the steak is what made me stay. Think of all the publicity Chastain drew to herself and the U.S. National team when she posed for Stuff in nothing but boots. Hell, David Letterman "adopted the team" and called em something like Dave's Babes every night for a week. You can't buy that kind of publicity, publicity that helped the game and didn't hurt it.

    Think of all the drooling, mouth-breathing troglodytes (sp?) whose sports menu consists solely of college and pro football who are suddenly exposed to Heather Mitts after she's voted ESPN's Hottest Female athlete or does that spread for FHM. Real life anecdote--an intern where I work liked to tease me about my unamerican tendencies because of my allegiance to and love for soccer. But when the Mitts pix came out he was one of the first to approach me and ask what team she was on and when were they playing? He called her that Mitts chick. I don't know if he ever watched a game but the point is he knew one more name than he did before she did the pictorial. And if that gets him talking about or recognizing the sport within his group of friends then that's a good thing. Sports is like any other business, you gotta get people talking about your product if you want them to buy. Buzz and name recogniton go a long way in selling.

    I'd be interestd in hearing the points and arguments made by those who think women posing however they want is bad for sports and women. I'd be pleasantly surprised if they could divorce their argument or belief from any sort of moral platform.
     

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