Though some of the framework about the NWSL, the USA's third attempt at a women's soccer league in just over a decade, had been out to some extent in various corners of the internet, the recent national television debut of the league's structure and founding members at halftime of the US Women's win over China served to confirm that this league is seemingly a bit better thought out for some semblance of longevity, owing in large part to the lessons learned through the respective demises of the WUSA and WPS.
Predictably enough, and maybe more so in hindsight, financial woes proved to be the death knell for NWSL's two 21st century predecessors. WUSA's initial budget was burned through much sooner than expected, and WPS' problems became apparent when teams began folding and relocating after but one season. NWSL promises to be conscientious of these fates that preceded this new crack at a women's soccer league, but they have an advantage that the two prior leagues did not have: an influx of support from the American, Canadian, and Mexican soccer associations.
With the US, Canada and Mexico footing the bill for up to 24, 16, and 12 of their national team players respectively, the three biggest players (at least in financial terms) in CONCACAF are showing a level of support for the women's game in this region that hasn't been seen before, and it is this willingness to push the new league through by was of salary subsidies that leads me to think that maybe, just maybe, we'll still be talking about the NWSL as an active league in a few years' time.
The substantial support from the three countries who stand to benefit the most from the advent of the NWSL does not equate to automatic success, of course. There's still the matter of star players actually signing up with the league's clubs, and given that many of the potential players had to ply their trade in Europe following the downfall of WPS, there's no guarantee that they will uproot themselves from more stable situations abroad to play in a league whose future, while perhaps initially encouraging, is still to be determined. Still, household names in the women's game such as Wambach, Rapinoe and Sinclair will probably be suiting up here stateside come first kick.
Outside of matters on the field, there is still enough to be sorted out off it to keep us intrigued in the months before the NWSL's first league campaign gets underway. TV contracts still have to be sorted first and foremost, and at this point we can only speculate as to where NWSL matches will land in our cable lineups. Will Fox Soccer, always in need of live programming, step forward and provide coverage as they did with WPS? Will NBC Sports, on the heels of their investment in covering the game domestically (MLS, US Men and Women), ante up and perhaps offer such attractive options as NWSL/MLS doubleheaders? It's all conjecture and it all remains to be seen. Selling the NWSL product to potential league sponsors presents another challenge in and of itself.
While there are those who largely ignore or look down upon the women's game, make no mistake: the success of soccer at any level is good for the game in this country. While we have made exponential leaps and bounds towards being a country with a true soccer identity, there is still more ground to be gained and more work to be done. The potential success of the NWSL would be a massive step in the right direction, for a generation of young women would have a real, visible goal to aspire to, and accordingly their passion for this wonderful game we're so rabid about could only grow stronger. As fans, we should all hope that the NWSL is built to last.
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