AJC Poll on the World Cup

Good "devil's advocate" article

Good article to play down some of the cautious hype already out there. In fact, it made me think that it could be a major letdown for some people in the soccer business if it doesn't even live up to the modest expectations USSF has put forth. I suppose he could be looking at a worst-case scenario that could actually happen.

It will be interesting to note during and after the tournament those columnists and media outlets that will rip on the tournament even if the expectations are met. I could see a future headline: "U.S. Women's Team Battles Numbers", and the article could state, "only 40,000 were in attendance at the opening game of..."

I think that if USSF/SUM market this correctly, they can draw those fans from other sports. This is something that only happens every 4 years, and while this is a fluke, it probably won't be back in North America for at least 8 years, more likely 12 years. Anyone can see their college or pro teams year in, year out.

BTW, the poll was whacked! The question itself wasn't worded correctly and the answers were non-sequiters to the question.

 

China and USA should host every other World Cup. There is no market for women's soccer anywhere else. No matter how "unsuccessful" WWC 2003 will be in America, it will still be much more successful than it would have been anywhere else.

Imagine if Sweden got to host. The games not involving Sweden would probably be played in front of crowds less than half the WUSA average. In Norway it would have been even worse.

 

"China and USA should host every other World Cup. There is no market for women's soccer anywhere else. No matter how "unsuccessful" WWC 2003 will be in America, it will still be much more successful than it would have been anywhere else.

Imagine if Sweden got to host. The games not involving Sweden would probably be played in front of crowds less than half the WUSA average. In Norway it would have been even worse"


Maybe Sweden but not France or Germany. There was a game in the Netherlands recently between the Dutch and the Germans which had a World Cup Qualifier and while the Dutch had no chance of winning there were still 11,500 people there.(capacity was 13,500) Mind you, that was played within five miles of the German border but I believe that with the right stadia, Germany and France can put on a successful World Cup. The stadium is Germany with the most capacity has 76,000 and in France it's 80,000. Remember that in Sweden they got 20,000 for a World Cup Qualifier too just over a year ago. Unfortunately, there are only 3 stadia in Sweden with a capacity of 30,000 or more. It's not worth comparing 1995 and 2003 when it comes to women's football. Maybe not continent wide but things are picking up in Western Europe. Take a look at what happend at Bilbao. Things have moved a good deal since then. Anyway, there is such an anti-soccer bias and a general cynical view of sportswriters in this country that I do see those articles with the titles below coming after the Cup is over.

 

New Views

It is interesting to talk about the market for women's football; There is a spectacle factor involved when the WWC comes to the US and China. The Chinese are thrilled to have any international event inside their country considering the tight reigns of their government, so they'll go regardless of event. The US will go to any *event* that they can put money towards to say they were there (the XFL, Salt Lake City Winter Olympics, the 96 Olympic Women's Final where that was the only ticket people could get, the 99 WWC where people at the games didn't know about soccer until then and were keeping their souvenir tickets in plastic holders around their neck). I am not casting this in a negative light, it's just seems to be a reason for the large crowds instead of actually being there as a fan.

Europe tends to be more prudent with their entertainment money.

The 94 WC really jolted the US soccer community and public in general and it has been steadily growing in many ways since. I think that with every WWC, the worldwide fan base would grow and those countries on the verge of an increase in women's football would be excellent hosts the next time. Gender/equality issues also play forth in how much interest there is. I really could see Japan, Germany, Norway, or France hosting with modest numbers, 15K per game average.

Last word about market(ing):
The WNBA really only has the attendance and ESPN airtime because of the NBA running the league and the NBA packaging the deals with ESPN. Too bad MLS couldn't take on more financial burden with WMLS.

I am officially off topic.

 

"The Chinese are thrilled to have any international event inside their country considering the tight reigns of their government, so they'll go regardless of event. "


I have always thought that there is a interest in women's sports anyway. Sure if it's only women then that's a big chunk of a population in China. Japan would have a good amount but I don't recall that they would get a lot of fans from Japan alone. More of a case because of the closeness of China. Maybe there is a good size fan base already. But I have to disagree that France and especially Germany would be modest with only 15,000 a year. Germany being in the heart of Europe would be good(distance wise in Europe) and France is the world's top tourist destination with an excellent transport system. World Class cities. Excellent transportation. Good stadia. There is something strange with the attendance of women's soccer in Norway but then again there isn't too big of a support for soccer on a whole for the population. Strange. Also I think that with the exception of the distances involved, Canada would be a fine pick for the World Cup but only if they upgrade more stadia in terms of capacity which is that important I would think. I mean if a stadium is 25,000 and there's sell-out I think that is just fine.

 

You're probably right about France and Germany being able to attract larger crowds for a WWC.

I agree that a 25K stadium is plenty for most of the WWC, regardless of where it's held. But the host teams should play in larger stadiums because they will be able to attract more.

 

Yes. The hosts teams should probably play in larger stadia. I mean Canada would play in Edmonton. We know that there are fans there. And certainly a place like the Netherlands without a great national team but a budding support can certainly put on a great show and we all know of the greatness of certain Dutch stadia. Location in Europe is also great. But a match between the Dutch(A rising team. They didn't embarass themselves in qualification with the exception of 6-0 loss to Germany but then again Prinz had a hat trick and few can stop her) and say, the Germans has already attracted a good number of fans to games before. One could just imagine what it would do in the World Cup. I think it is in the interest of Fifa not to go out of its way to give the world Cup, men's or women's but especially women's, to countries that will qualify. In a few decades, I hope this will come into play but the Dutch are a good example for now. Not quite World Cup material yet but they can put on a good World Cup. Like for the men, a good place would be Switzerland. Sure they are getting better but they are still in Europe and it's tough to qualify from Europe. The pick of Switzerland and their formerly great neighbors for Euro 2008 is an excellent choice especially after the overall very good tandem for Euro 2000. Two more small countries.