From the Knoxville News site... http://www.knoxnews.com/kns/other_sports/article/0,1406,KNS_304_1893101,00.html
How could the WUSA be in the black before MLS? Thats seems hard to believe. I wonder where the writer got that nugget from?
Lower stadium costs and lower payrolls to start with. They still need to get fannies in the seats 'cause I'm sure their "revised business plan" expects more than last weekend's 6K.
I find it hard to believe that WUSA can project accurately 3 years into the future and determine that that will be the breakeven year. For one thing, I'm not even certain that all the investors are committed to funding the league through 2006. Based on how contract negotiations are proceeding aren't they looking to eliminate the guarantee - so they don't have to pay the Founders if they close the shop next year or the year after? Also, as much as WUSA is saving bucks by playing in small stadiums - that's not something new - that was always part of the plan - and despite this cost saving measure the league still lost a tone of money in year 1 and 2. The adjustment to the original plan can be factored into a profitability projection. They include moving the league office from NY. Cutting payroll expenses and Founders salaries by 25%. Triming other expenses where possible - and most importantly bringing in new sponsorship revenue. Attendance has decreased - and there are no signs after the first week - that there will be an impressive uptick in attendance this year - despite the claim that season ticket sales were up. I concede that we only have 1 week of data - but it was an important week of data to evaluate - and given the comments about the season ticket sales - if there was going to be a good sign that the attendance momentum was swinging the other way - you certainly would expect to see it in the home openers.
Can you imagine if a league came out and said that they planned to still be hemmoraghing money in three years? Investors and sponsors would pull out immediately. I can definitely see the WUSA not losing money in five years. Of course it's hard to lose money if you don't exist. Hopefully the league still exists and is breaking even.
Attendance in MLS dropped for 5 straight years before it went up. I don't believe WUSA will make money any time soon.
Neither does Oliver: http://www.soccertv.com/women.cfm He's had it in for the WUSA since Day One. Mod note: personal attack removed
Poor WUSA. Doesnt look good. How did they burn 64 million in 1 year. Terrible management. Mod note: personal attack in quoted text removed