Wonder if SUM/AEG/MLS would pick up the ball and take a shot at hosting a "World Championship" here in the U.S. in 2007 if FIFA did call it quits.
People have been prattling for years about how brilliant the Founders are. Now the WUSA is in ruins and the WWC may also be on the way out. FIFA hates losses. For all the propaganda about the future of soccer being female, the reality is the future of soccer is where FIFA can make money. Renegades who want a country to lose don't always follow this principal, but when it comes whether a tournament is held or not, money is the deciding factor. FIFA just paid 1 million dollars to the Chinese FA for their costs in promoting the 2003 WWC that was moved to the U.S. FIFA hates losses. The numbers aren't in yet but WWC 2003 lost money and the USSF will have to take that hit. No profits will flow to FIFA. There were discussions here before the WWC about cost savings, cramming the preliminary rounds into 1 week and cutting down on air travel. Let's see what the USWNT did to cut costs, and keep in mind this was in the wake of the WUSA debacle where no one seems to know how 100 million was spent. The USWNT flew around the country on a chartered jet. Cat Reddick told the Miami Herald that the charter, with all kinds of service, made her feel like a world class athlete even if she isn't one. The Herald reported the USMNT even flew the charter from Philadelphia to Columbus, a very short distance. I am glad the USWNT made such economies to assure that FIFA will not cancel the 2007 WWC, assuring that future generations will have the opportunity to watch or participate in the WWC. Cutting costs were critical, partilcularly in light of the WUSA's financial problems. I was on the same plane Brian McBride was on returning from Seoul, following the stunning success of the USMNT. I saw Brian, his beautiful wife and small daughter, schlepp their own luggage off the conveyor, clear customs, and head to the phone backs at O'Hare Airport to organize transport home. They did all this on their own, without charters or helpers.
The USWNT was required to go to all of the six cities in order for the strip tickets to sell. They needed and deserved to fly charter, given that burden. The federation made the right choice for them. It was nice, Thomas, to read about your experience flying home from Seoul with Brian McBride. He has always struck me as a thoroughly decent person and a great role model. I had a similar experience a few years ago. I flew a commercial jet from Sydney to the States (coach) after the 2000 Olympic Games. The USWNT members were on that flight, and, yes, they schlepped their own bags. Despite the massive disappointment of the overtime loss to Norway, they could not have been more gracious, especially Shannon Macmillan and Joy Fawcett. Wonderful people. So it's not fair to give the impression that the USWNT members are spoiled like rock stars. I think that the newer players, like Cat Reddick whom you quote, were not used to the chartered jet treatment. And she has been playing with the national team for quite some time.
Women's World Cup will be here to stay, in 2007 will be in China, the European cup will be in England 05, the question is if the next american generation can take takes to the next level in 4 years, because the world are watching and catching up by the way here is a list of winners 1991 USA 1995 Norway 1999 USA 2003 Germay next world cup will be in China, the Chinese federation was not to happy about the cup be moving this year and they will do a great job as the host.
Ah yes, Frank Cunha: Disconnect from reality, Frank. It's what's keeping hope alive. I think that, instead of having a Women's World Cup, they should just hold a bakeoff.
nothing wrong with the ladies playing Soccer if that's your problem, the goal in the final was just a beauty
Excellent post, Michaelr. I never said that all the members of the USWNT are "spoiled like rock stars." From what I can gather, most of them are not. But some of them are, and the chartered jet, was a bad, bad decision given the uproar over what happened to the WUSA investment funds. Tony Diciccio has been quoted as saying: "What happened to the 100 million?" He is the commissioner and he doesn't know. The USWNT did not HAVE to charter a plane, and they did not HAVE to play in all six cities to "sell the strips". The strips weren't going to sell anyway and everyone knew it. Please keep in mind the discussions here prior to the WWC about economy and frugality. It was a very bad example to set a crucial time when the future of women's professional soccer, and the WWC, was in doubt. Don't count on there being a WWC in 2007.
I was wondering the same thing. What does WUSA money have to do with FIFA? Also, do you know the cost differential between the charter and commercial? Was there a 'friend' out there who let the ladies use their plane? Just a thought to ponder.
If the World Cup makes money, FIFA makes money, as does the organizing committee. If it loses money, like in 2003, FIFA made it clear it would not underwrite the loss. That is why there was really only one bid (Sweden's was a joke) after it was pulled from China. If you are pledging to keep costs down, don't go out and charter jets. WUSA's financial troubles and the lack of interest (and money) in WWC 2003 were considered in tandem by the media. The WWC may be dead. At least it is dead in a capitalist world. Title IX does not apply to the private economy. If something does not make money it must either get someone to underwrite it or go out of business. China still is something of a communist economy, and may plug the tournament nobody cares about for propaganda purposes. But if it draws little revenue, which is likely, that may be it.
Not to have another WWC, would be a tremendous mistake by FIFA and the gravest injustice for women practicing the sport. I enjoyed every game on ESPN and Galavision. And to see the clean and fair game practiced in most encounters only reaffirmed by clear belief that Mexican players are "divas, vedettes and ballerinas feigning fouls all over the place". Watching some of the MFL's games you could say that Mexican players play like women and some of the women play like "real men", in a peyorative sense.
Efren, thanks for watching on the Univision family of networks! I think I only watched three Disney matches! So, did Pablo go wacko when the game-winning header was scored yesterday?
This realy is the heart of the issue, with the WWC as well as WUSA. Title IX has had both positive and negative effects. We could debate all night as to which side the preponderance applies. But one of the big negatives is that "Women's Sports Advocates" seem to have been rendered unable to make a distinction between government policy, as in the USA, where sporting bodies are compelled, under penalty of law, to create an artificial environment, and the real world, where you have to actually justify your existence. Hence the obvious confusion and bewilderment of many posters in this thread and elsewhere. They are convinced that, if men have a pro league, why then they have a right to one as well. If the men have a World Cup, the FIFA must also give one to them. But FIFA is not a governmental organization; it is private, and it makes economic decisions based on reality, as does the pro sports marketplace in the US. Sink or swim. It's a cold cruel world out there beyond the protective cloaking of US Federal Courts.
I think it's pretty unlikely that FIFA would cancel the WWC anytime in the near future. A quote from an anonymous "international soccer source who has experience with FIFA" doesn't impress me. I can't read the rest of the article without registering, but the other quotes that Sachin listed sound like total speculation.
Very true. But St. Phil had a plan for success, or at least he developed one very quickly after it was clear the mythical NASL-sized crowds were, well... mythology. St. John chose martyrdom. Sachin