New WUSA '06 revival leadership

FearM9 · Nov 30, 2004

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2004/writers/grant_wahl/11/30/us.qualifying/

DiCicco now has more time to devote to coaching -- he's currently working with a Connecticut youth team, FSA Soccer Plus -- after recently relinquishing his duties as the driving force behind the potential revival of the WUSA in '06. (That effort is now being run by a new leader, former Yahoo executive Tonya Antonucci, and Julie Foudy.)
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defensewins · Nov 30, 2004

Tonya Antonucci and Julie Foudy=two former Stanford soccer players. Interesting.

e_honda · Dec 1, 2004

defensewins said:

Tonya Antonucci and Julie Foudy=two former Stanford soccer players. Interesting.
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The sad thing is, that's the MOST interesting thing about the current state of the WUSA "revival" (hibernation is the most generous term you can give it). I can't think of anything else.

They're done.

denver_mugwamp · Dec 1, 2004

Aren't revivals generally held in a tent?

seahawkdad · Dec 3, 2004

And that's the place to seek the kind of intervention we need...

Jo · Dec 7, 2004

A comment from the Mia, Julie, Joy conference call:

Foudy: I am an optimist and I think there is a bright side to even losing a league. There’s three years of great lessons learned. We are in a period now where the men’s team has done well, the women’s team has done well. Even the Fan Celebration Tour, with not a lot of time to promote it and not a lot of marketing we are still pulling in 18,000 fans. I understand that America responds to big events, but I still think that there is a fan base out there for a league. We clearly made some huge mistakes, but there is an opportunity for another go around. Tonya Antonucci, who headed up Yahoo! Sports and just left them, is taking over the charge right now and is going to be able to dedicate energy to this full time to try to a business plan together and put it in front of investors and sponsors.
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Here's the link:
http://www.ussoccer.com/news/fullstory.sps?iNewsid=131587

EvWill · Dec 7, 2004

WUSA officially announces Women's Soccer Initiative, Inc.

WUSA has officially announced the Women's Soccer Initiative, Inc. to "guide the re-launch". As already noted, Tonya Antonucci is in the lead.

TOTC · Dec 8, 2004

I still say, "Where the heck is Marla Messing?"

FearM9 · Apr 27, 2005

http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/sports/soccer/11500303.htm

Since being named the chief executive of the Women's Soccer Initiative in November, the former Stanford player and assistant coach has spent a considerable amount of time on the phone and on the road -- talking with potential team owners and host cities while seeking input on the league's 10-year business plan. To date, she has had talks with roughly 20 markets, including preliminary discussions with the city of San Jose.

Antonucci's efforts have caught the attention of Santa Clara University and the Anschutz Entertainment Group, which owns five Major League Soccer teams, including the Earthquakes.

Santa Clara Athletic Director Dan Coonan said last month that his school might be interested in having a WUSA team play at Buck Shaw Stadium, which is scheduled to be remodeled.

AEG chief operating officer Scott Blackmun said his company would like to house a franchise at its Home Depot Center in Carson.
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SteveMcCartney · Apr 28, 2005

TOTC said:

I still say, "Where the heck is Marla Messing?"
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Is she Sepp Messing's wife ?

AndyMead · Apr 28, 2005

SteveMcCartney said:

Is she Sepp Messing's wife ?
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For Marla's sake, let's hope not.