WUSA deserves better fate

The ABC show “Nightline” and ESPN’s “Outside the Lines” aired the same topic at the same time late Monday evening: women’s professional sports.

Both shows focused primarily on the demise of the WUSA (World United Soccer Association).

The league announced nine days ago it was suspending operations after three seasons due to lack of revenue.

Limited corporate sponsorship was the primary culprit. Corporate sponsorship didn’t reach half the level that had been anticipated in the league’s initial business plan, according to a story on the WUSA Web site.

Making the announcement right before the Women’s World Cup in the United States may be a ploy to attract sponsorship. Whether it is or not, here’s hoping it works.

The WUSA produced 56 players who are playing in the World Cup. It is, or was, the premier women’s pro league in the world.

The WUSA games were entertaining. Most were filled with plenty of scoring chances.

It was a good product.

Men’s pro soccer games can be defensive tussles in which scoring chances are few and far between. Not even world-class players can produce an entertaining soccer match if they are marked effectively.

WUSA games, often shown on Saturday and Sunday afternoons, didn’t do well in the TV ratings and attendance was down over 15 percent from its inaugural season.

One of the primary reasons the WNBA survives is the commitment it receives from the NBA. The WUSA never had a big brother. It never had its games televised on network TV.

The WUSA was also only three years old. It takes time to build a following.

Men are more likely to watch sports on TV and they aren’t likely to watch WUSA games, especially if there were other sports options.

Young girls who aspire to be the next Mia Hamm and their moms made up a healthy portion of the crowds at WUSA games.

Unfortunately, it’s all about dollars and cents. It’s all about corporate sponsors.

University of Maine women’s soccer coach Scott Atherley noted that one of the unfortunate aspects of the WUSA’s demise is “it takes away some incentive for college players, especially at the Division I level, who aspire to play professional soccer.

“Where will they go after college [to play soccer]?” Atherley asked.

“A lot of Canadians play in Norway and Sweden, but that’s a major cultural change and it requires a major lifestyle change. And you can’t support a family on the annual salary in those divisions,” added Atherley.

The economy is unstable but here’s hoping some corporate sponsors come forth and save the WUSA.

Expanded playoffs a great move

Wasn’t the decision to expand the baseball playoffs beginning in 1995 a great one?

The races in the National League East and West Divisions were decided in August but the also-rans in those divisions have remained in an exciting wild-card chase.

Red Sox fans would be moaning about another frustrating year without the wild-card race.

The wild card has kept interest high in several cities and enabled major league baseball to put fans in seats that would have been empty prior to 1995.

Larry Mahoney can be reached at 990-8231, 1-800-310-8600 or by email at lmahoney@bangordailynews.net.