Why is there no WUSA team in Columbus? Given that Columbus has the only MLS soccer-specific stadium, wouldn't it make sense to add (or move) a WUSA team there?
Is there any sign that Cowlumbus would support women's sports? Can't say that I've ever seen Ohio State women's soccer in the top 20. Do they even have a team? What was the fate of the W-League team? Was their name the Xxoggs? And the fact that MLS and WUSA haven't much in common makes this pretty much a non-starter.
The only way it would happen is if Lamar Hunt bought into the WUSA. If Lamar thinks this is a good way to generate additional revenue from Crew Stadium this will happen. There is absolutely no sign the thought has even crossed his mind @ this point.
They have a team. But having a good college team is probably not required. They folded, as have a whole lot of W-League teams. Good point. There are other cities that have soccer specific stadiums (like St. Louis ). But the existence of a stadium is probably down the list of things de WOOOSA would be looking for in an expansion city. The WUSA is not likely to expand next season anyway.
The W-League team was the Xiggz. The men's team was the Xoggz. Neither name meant anything at all. I wouldn't expect WUSA will be expanding anytime soon.
Crew Park It would be nice to have a team in Columbus, St. Louis, Chicago or somewhere in the mid-west. IF and WHEN the WUSA expands, they will probably look at Columbus. However, as everyone has pointed out, there's not much support for women's sports there. While Nickerson Field is technically not soccer specific, that is it's main purpose and it's quite nice. I think it is a main concern of the WUSA to be in soccer specific stadium, which is why certain venues were chosen over others. My guess is that we will have to wait another 2 years to see what happens.
This gets into the whole "wither WUSA" debate. The fact remains, the league has not demonstrated any viability, and as such, is looking like it is running on borrowed time. My current guess is that every attempt will be made to get the league, in some form, through to the Women's World Cup next fall. After that, who pays the bills? Is AOL/Time-Warner going to be interested in even next season? Have you been following their stock price? Is the league anywhere close to breaking even in Cary? The Courage get a share of signage and concessions, not to mention a sweetheart deal at SAS Stadium. If the league can't break even with that deal, then I don't see how they can break even anywhere? If WUSA exists in 2004, it will not resemble WUSA 2002. For financial reasons, the league is definitely going to have to find greater savings. I suspect these include some or all of: 1) getting some buy-in from MLS i/o's, leveraging the ones with SSS (like Columbus and Carson), and leading to far more double-bills. 2) moving to a more geographically compact situation (sorry, but goodbye West Coast) to cut down on travel expenses. Perhaps two 4 team divisions, one on each coast could be worked out, but I doubt it. There's not a lot of startup or bailout capital out there right now.
Theoretically, by adding/moving a WUSA team to Columbus would not only generate more revenue for the Crew Stadium, but it would also help the WUSA by having a team play in a permanent soccer-specific stadium.
Besides, where are all the feminist organizations now? Why don't they come up and support a league that may not survive another 2-3 years?
Feminist Organizations Don't think that angle hasn't been approached. Many feminist organizations are involved, though the ones with money (which is what the league needs) are all business women. They are very political and all want to know what the WUSA can do for them. Try convincing any of your athletic female friends that they should buy tickets to the games becuase they should support the league. Doesn't always work. As for Columbus, what team would you move? NY needs a team, hands down. Maybe not on LI, but they need a team. Also, you can't split the league east coast/west coast. That would require expansion plus create alienation between the coasts. I think the costs to fly are a known financial necessity and that by expanding to the mid-west it will be more effective than splitting the league. My 2.5 cents.
Columbus has shown to be a good town for pro sports. The Crew and the Blue jackets have been packing it in their home games. The SSS is such an enticement. I'm sure Dublin will want another tenant for 10 home games - a great opportunity to spread the fixed costs. I think if Woosa decides to relocate/expand, Columbus would be a good choice. One issue that I think needs to worked out is TV broadcasts. I think local Crew broadcasts on sportv(?) are few and far between. Woosa I/Os, for the most part, are cable broadcasters. Say, if the NY franchise were to relocate to columbus, the I/O T-W Cable should be able to leverage its clout to feature their games on a local/regional broadcaster. A time-buy in Columbus should be lower than a time-buy on MSG. What would seal a deal is to get local/regional marketing partners to tie in with a Woosa team. While CrapDonald's is a major Woosa sponsor, I see no reason why Wendy's International cannot become a local/regional sponsor for the Crew-ettes. The vanloads of PTH fans and their parents going to the games are a good market.
I didn't think Crew Stadium was in Dublin. I thought Dublin was one of the communities that turned down the referenda for a stadium and that CCS is in Columbus proper.
If it's a league wide sponsor. . . .then Wendy's would conflict. Locol sponsors can NOT conflict with league national sponsors. That's why no team has sponsor's from car companies that aren't Hyundai, not other drinks. . . .things like that. Sorry, no frosty's in the stands!!