Guest host Ava Wallace, a sports writer for The Washington Post, chats with soccer experts Steve Goff and Ella Brockway about the explosive growth of the NWSL. They discuss how the league transformed from a struggling entity to a financial powerhouse. The trio highlights the evolution of women's soccer in the U.S., the resilience of the Washington Spirit, and the impact of significant investments. They also celebrate key players like Marta and examine the cultural shift towards embracing women's sports.
The NWSL's transformation into a financial powerhouse illustrates the increasing legitimacy and interest in women's professional soccer as a sustainable business.
Investment in women's sports, highlighted by leaders like Michelle Kang, demonstrates a significant cultural shift towards recognizing the value of female athletics.
Deep dives
Introduction of Teen Accounts on Instagram
New teen accounts on Instagram serve as protective measures designed to enhance teen safety online, ensuring only selected contacts can interact with them. These accounts feature automatic settings to limit exposure to potentially harmful content, akin to ensuring that teens wear their seatbelts for safety. The introduction of these accounts highlights a growing awareness of the necessity for protective measures on social media platforms as teenagers navigate their digital environments. Such developments reflect a broader trend in social media aimed at fostering safer online communities for younger users.
The Rise of Women's Soccer and the NWSL
The history of women's soccer in the U.S. showcases a challenging landscape, with previous leagues like WUSA and WPS failing financially before the establishment of the NWSL. This league, which has witnessed significant growth, was born out of a need for women's professional soccer to be treated as a legitimate business rather than just a cause. The success of the U.S. women's national team over the past three decades has bolstered interest, culminating in heightened visibility and attendance for NWSL matches. A landmark report by Sally Yates revealed systemic issues within the league, prompting reforms that have reinforced player safety and accountability among coaches.
Impact of Investment and Leadership in Women's Sports
Recent developments in women's sports, particularly through the leadership of figures like Michelle Kang of the Washington Spirit, highlight the transformative potential of investment in female athletics. Kang's involvement in the NWSL exemplifies a shift in perception, where women's soccer is now recognized as a valuable business venture rather than merely a charitable cause. Her strategic investments have positively impacted the team's operations and success, as indicated by the Spirit's recent championship appearance. This trend reflects a broader growth in women's sports, evidenced not only by rising attendance and media coverage but also by skyrocketing team valuations in the league.
Just a few years ago, the National Women’s Soccer League was a relatively small business. Now, it’s becoming a financial juggernaut with multimillion-dollar investments, a big TV deal and huge attendance. Hundreds of thousands of people are expected to tune in this weekend for the big game: the championship match between the Washington Spirit and the Orlando Pride.
Guest host and sports writer Ava Wallace speaks with soccer reporter Steve Goff and sports editor Ella Brockway about how the NWSL emerged from years of scandal and underinvestment.
Today’s show was produced by Bishop Sand with help from Lucas Trevor. It was edited by Maggie Penman and Alison MacAdam and mixed by Justin Gerrish.