The "demise" of the National Soccer Alliance, which had
proposed a women's professional soccer league, is examined
by Amy Shipley of the WASHINGTON POST. Before ceasing
operations in December, the NSA "seemed to be capitalizing
on the success" of the women's '96 Olympic team, but the NSA
"never gained perhaps the most crucial element," the support
of the U.S. Soccer Federation. The NSA's "quiet, lengthy
struggle" with U.S. Soccer "raised questions about the
Federation's wielding of its considerable clout." The
Federation felt that '98 was not the right time to start a
women's league, fearing it would "interfere" with MLS and
"detract" from the '99 Women's World Cup. U.S. Soccer
Federation President Alan Rothenberg: "I was of the view,
and I remain of the view, that what we really need to do is
a spectacular 1999 Women's World Cup and then follow that
with a pro league." Rothenberg adds that the NSA also
"failed to demonstrate that it had an adequate financial
backbone or a credible blueprint for operations." But NSA
execs said they had the proper support, and Jennifer
Rottenberg, who led much of the effort, said she felt "some
tension" and "hostility" from U.S. Soccer and said the non-
sanction was "a missed opportunity" (WASHINGTON POST, 4/17).
SPONSOR INTEREST: The NSA was initially backed by
Discovery Channel CEO John Hendricks and PA-business exec
Randy Byrnes. As far as sponsors, Nike had an "interest" in
the NSA, but that "faded" due to Nike's ties to U.S. Soccer,
"which made it clear it did not support the league." Reebok
spokesperson Don Rawson said Reebok wanted to be a "major
NSA sponsor and proposed a seven-figure investment," but
"was told by the NSA that a lesser level of sponsorship was
desired to make room for other sponsors." Rottenberg said
the NSA projected sponsorship income of $14-16M per year.
But the deals were not signed due to the lack of sanctioning
by U.S. Soccer. Later, Hendricks and Byrnes dropped their
investment, saying they were concerned about player
commitments, commitments the players say were never in
doubt. Shipley adds, "In the end, the attempted league
folded without mudslinging" (WASHINGTON POST, 4/17).
