WPS club magicJack Owner Dan Borislow is "backing off on his lawsuit" against the league, and he said that he is "optimistic about resolving differences with league officials to keep the team in Boca Raton," according to Craig Davis of the South Florida SUN-SENTINEL. Borislow said that he is "encouraged by communication with league officials in recent days." Borislow: "The tone is that they're interested in working this out and improving the league from here." Davis notes one "point of contention between the league and Borislow has been lack of seating at FAU Soccer Field where the magicJack plays its home games." Borislow said that "additional bleachers are being added that will increase seating to about 5,000 in time for Wednesday's anticipated home game" against the Western New York Flash and Brazilian star Marta (South Florida SUN-SENTINEL, 8/9).
UPS & DOWNS: In N.Y., Jere Longman writes despite the "fame and glory the Americans achieved with their thrilling run at the World Cup, the far less glamorous and more uncertain existence of league soccer has abruptly returned." Attendance and TV ratings "have swelled in the three-year-old" WPS, but there is "no guarantee that it will survive into Year 4." Salaries, which "average $25,000 but run as low as $200 a game for a few, according to players, face further cuts." Front offices of the six teams are "run by skeletal staffs," and health and dental insurance plans "are being reconsidered as team owners search for financial viability." Still, the World Cup "bolstered women's soccer" in the U.S. Since the tournament, average attendance "has increased to 5,164 from 2,741 at WPS matches." TV ratings "are up 18.5 percent," and social media traffic "has soared." Inquiries are "being fielded about adding teams and corporate sponsorships." But Philadelphia Independence Owner David Halstead said, "We've got to transition beyond just suburban families. We need more mainstream soccer enthusiasts" (N.Y. TIMES, 8/9).
