Comments on: WPS: Did Wishing Make It So?

By: Style Points » Tuesday Morning Roundup

Style Points » Tuesday Morning Roundup — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 12:13:00 +0000

[...] Everything you wanted to know about Women’s Professional Soccer. [Avoiding the Drop] [...]

By: Magnakai Haaskivi

Magnakai Haaskivi — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 02:58:26 +0000

Bayern Munich charges around $5 a seat for the cheapest seats. I think the WPS can manage something better than $20 a head.

By: thefuseproject

thefuseproject — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 20:36:12 +0000

My point was that as somebody who has supported women’s soccer (I have been a high school coach for over a decade), I would like to continue to due so by attending WPS matches. However, WPS is so small and locally oriented (which was their intent and works for their business model), that matches are difficult to get to/costly if you don’t live relatively nearby (I live about 90 miles west of Boston).

As far as ticket costs are concerned, my point was that for the same money I can see a better product (the Revolution) at a better facility (Gillette), get in and out faster, and park for free, OR stay closer to home and see my local USL-II/W-League team for less than $10.

Given both points, I find it hard to justify the time and expense required if I want to see the Breakers play.

By: sucka99

sucka99 — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 19:59:02 +0000

on the last point, I’m not sure that your costs from the Boston Suburbs to downtown Cambridge should matter unless you’re making the point that most WPS fans would be suburban living car owners who would rather a drive from one suburb to another. I’ve always believed that a pro sports team would be better off in the city with ample access to public transportation. And with not that many night games, I’d think this is an option that would be attractive to most in city and suburb areas.

On the cost of tickets, did they try to do different ticket packages or push season tickets aggressively enough? I don’t think $20 is much to see a pro soccer match – and all the ebetter if they had group rates or multiple game discounts.

By: Pam

Pam — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 15:57:59 +0000

Nice article. My biggest beef with the WPS is price. $20 to see Sky Blue is a bit steep.

By: Magnakai Haaskivi

Magnakai Haaskivi — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 14:47:36 +0000

Nicely done!

In regards to the partnership with MLS: it occurs to me that MLS doesn’t “play nice” with any outside organization. Consider:

1) They have a distant relationship -at best – with the USL.
2) They routinely overvalue transfers of players to foreign leagues.
3) They’re the only league in the world to ignore international FIFA dates, a snub which includes playing through the World Cup.

In light of that, I wonder if the blame for the lack of a relationship between the two leagues is more on the MLS than the WPS.

By: Sculptor?!?

Sculptor?!? — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 14:20:00 +0000

Oooh, nicely done, Fuse. Meaty enough to (almost) require a knife and fork.