U.S. Women's Nat'l Soccer Team F Kristine Lilly will be
featured in the promotional campaigns of Women's World Cup
(WWC) sponsors Hyundai and Coca-Cola. Lilly will appear in
Hyundai promo materials at WWC venues throughout the U.S.
and in select auto dealerships. Coca-Cola will feature
Lilly in POP displays at its distributors and retailers.
Lilly is repped by Bober Associates (Bober Associates).
STATE OF THE GAMES: Lilly hopes the proposed women's
professional soccer league "materializes" in the U.S.: "I
think that would be the ultimate for women's soccer in the
U.S. -- a pro league. I think that's what everyone knows we
need as the next step" (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 6/22). Women's
Soccer Federation Exec Dir Jackie Shannon, on the prospects
for a new league: "You know there are more than 20
outstanding women in the country who can play soccer. Where
does it leave these other excellent women? It leaves them
nowhere. Without a professional league, kids will say,
'What's the use?'" (Ft. Lauderdale SUN-SENTINEL, 6/22). In
L.A., Grahame Jones writes that there must be "similar" WWC
crowds to that of the U.S.-Denmark opener before "skeptics
are convinced" the event could be "one of the catalysts" for
a women's pro league. Jones: "Even then, much more
groundwork will have to be done" (L.A. TIMES, 6/22).
WHAT A KICK: In N.Y., Jere Longman writes that the WWC
crowds "were record breaking, and the talent was
impressively deep and widespread in four weekend
doubleheaders." Also, ticket sales have passed the 500,000
mark, and with over 60,000 expected for Thursday's Nigeria-
U.S. match at Soldier Field, WWC organizers "are hoping that
the total might reach 600,000." WWC CEO Marla Messing: "I'm
incredibly pleased" (N.Y. TIMES, 6/22). WWC Organizing
Committee Chair Alan Rothenberg: "I think we did a
phenomenal grass-roots marketing job" (L.A. TIMES, 6/22).
