MLL and the WUSA "combined may not get nearly as much press and attention" as the XFL, but "neither will they have to meet high expectations to attract thousands at the live gate for each game, or tens of millions of viewers," according to R. Thomas Umstead of MULTICHANNEL NEWS. Both leagues will use cable nets "to help increase awareness" and to "cultivate and build local followings" for the teams, which "must establish its identity and roots within the local markets." Umstead writes that the leagues were "smart enough to establish teams in markets that are apparent hotbeds for their respective sports." MLL and the WUSA "have the ability" to attract the best players" in their sports, which "will go a long way to legitimizing the on-the-field play in the minds of fans and casual viewers." But "given the small niches of fans" that both sports attract, both leagues "face an uphill climb to find their voices in a very competitive sports marketplace" (MULTICHANNEL NEWS, 3/26 issue).
READY, BREAK: The WUSA Boston Breakers announced that cable station AT&T 3 will be the team's local broadcast partner in '01. AT&T 3 will televise 17 live Breakers games, and CNN/SI will televise four additional games nationally, meaning all 21 Breakers games will be televised. AT&T 3's broadcast team consists of J.P. Dellacamera and Seamus Malin (Breakers).
