Latest news with #NWSL
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
As others go silent, NWSL group doubles down on supporting Black players on Juneteenth and beyond
In its fifth year, The Black Women's Player Collective (BWPC) is doubling down on its core values, using Juneteenth as both a celebration and a call to action across women's soccer. Founded in 2020 amid national reckoning over racial injustice, BWPC's goal has been to create a public and private space for Black women in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL). Advertisement 'But we very quickly realized that it's just as important for our public image to connect with the next generation,' Utah Royals defender, and acting chair of BWPC, Imani Dorsey told 'We didn't grow up looking up to Black female figures in our sport. 'The ability to give young Black girls and young kids in general, just another idea of what a female footballer looks like has been really important to us and really impactful.' While participation at the college and professional levels has increased, the Sports & Fitness Industry Association, which focuses on youth participation by sport, found that 35 per cent of Black youth aged six to 17 regularly participated in sports during 2023, down from 45 per cent in 2013. BWPC's mission is front and center this weekend as the league and its teams celebrate Juneteenth (today, June 19, but teams have been honoring the day of remembrance throughout the month). As part of its 'Get Girls to Games' initiative, BWPC has teamed up with five NWSL clubs — Angel City FC, Racing Louisville, Gotham FC, Washington Spirit, and Bay FC — who have designated their June home games as Juneteenth games. The partnership brings young girls, especially from underrepresented communities, to their first professional matches through partnerships with organizations like Girls Inc. and PowerPlay NYC. Advertisement BWPC also created a special shirt, designed by artist Cortney Herron, for players to wear before matches. 'They feel so just essentially Black, and unapologetically Black,' Dorsey said of the design. 'We want our organization to be a hub for Black creativity, connection and empowerment. So if we can amplify Black artists, Black creators, Black businesses, just as much as our Black players who are playing, that is the essence of the Black community. It's togetherness, it's unity, it's representation.' But Dorsey said BWPC's work doesn't stop with one weekend. They're collaborating with the U.S. Soccer Foundation to build more mini-pitches and work toward long-term goals like subsidizing club fees and challenging the entrenched pay-to-play model that shuts out many young athletes — something that is personal for Dorsey. Her mother took on a second job just to pay for club soccer for her and her sisters. It's a story that's far too common. Project Play, an initiative launched in 2013 by the Aspen Institute's Sports & Society program, found that in 2022, families spent an average of $1,188 (£885 at current rates) annually per child to play soccer. Advertisement The NWSL's weekend activities are not just one-offs, either. They have been built on long-term relationships between the collective and NWSL clubs. The relationship between the BWPC and the Spirit, for example, is not solely focused on June. One of the top missions of BWPC, bringing soccer to predominantly Black communities, aligns closely with work the Spirit has been committed to for years, as seen through their ongoing relationship with DC Scores, a local afterschool program in the area. The Spirit has previously sponsored clinics with the program, and was able to create a mini pitch sponsored by the collective. 'The work with Black Women's Player Collective was actually helpful in getting that program launched with the principal in that school,' RaShauna Hamilton, vice president of community development at the Washington Spirit, told Advertisement The Spirit aims to be a strategic partner by connecting BWPC with key local contacts to help expand their reach and impact. Even when not directly co-hosting events, they offer support through resources, networking, and a visible presence. Partnering with BWPC for Juneteenth apparel may seem minimal, Hamilton says, but having this representation can resonate with fans of the Spirit. 'D.C. has one of the highest African American populations and one of the highest minority populations in all of the country, and so our representative and the Black Players Women's Collective are really important for us to speak directly to our audiences,' Hamilton said. In Harrison, New Jersey, Gotham FC will welcome 56 girls through Power Play New York City to their match against Bay FC on Saturday as part of their partnership with the collective. The club will also offer the league's official Juneteenth shirt to fans for purchase. This is part of the wider collaboration between BWPC and the league. Advertisement 'Gotham has always been and will always be, a safe, inclusive space for our fans, and so that is always a priority for us,' Laura Petro, Gotham's vice president of brand and fan experience, said. 'That is always something that is in the fabric of who we are as a club. … now more than ever.' On the West Coast, Bay FC donated 10 percent of the proceeds from its Juneteenth shirt sales to the collective. Meanwhile, Racing Louisville will wear the shirts before their game against Orlando Pride on Friday. The club told that the team will also celebrate legendary boxer and civil rights leader Mohammed Ali, who was from Louisville. While some major sports leagues and governing bodies like the NFL and FIFA roll back their anti-racism initiatives, the BWPC is doing the exact opposite. Dorsey is not surprised by others' retreat from their 2020 promises, though it's a trend BWPC finds disappointing. Advertisement 'We're not surprised. We know history. But that doesn't mean the work stops,' Dorsey said. 'If anything, we're doubling down. The fight for equity and representation isn't a moment, it's the mission.' This article originally appeared in The Athletic. Portland Thorns, Chicago Red Stars, Houston Dash, North Carolina Courage, OL Reign, Orlando Pride, Gotham FC, Kansas City Current, Washington Spirit, Angel City, Racing Louisville FC, San Diego Wave, Utah Royals FC, Bay FC, NWSL, Sports Business, Culture 2025 The Athletic Media Company
Forbes
a day ago
- Sport
- Forbes
WFA Primed To Expand To Franchise Model, Bringing Women's Football To Canada
Women's Football Alliance (WFA) started in 2009 by now commissioner Lisa King and her husband, but in 2026 will be expanding to new heights as the league moves to a franchise model with new investors and owners including teams in Canada. The league has come quite far in its short 17 year history with King at the helm. Currently, the WFA holds three divisions: Pro, Division II and Division III. The league has expanded internationally, has a youth emphasis, as well as into flag football which has increased in popularity in the United States for women and girls. Accordingly, the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) reported that in 2023 roughly 500,000 girls played flag football across the US with nine states sanctioning it as a varsity girls sport and 19 more in the process of piloting or moving it towards that goal. With the addition of flag football to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games, its traction will continue to increase. Following many of the trends of other major women's sports, WFA has seen increased attention and viewership due to their partnership with ESPN. WFA games began on ESPN3 but due to their demand were moved to ESPN2. In 2023 and 2024 the WFA Pro Championship outpaced the viewership of the 2019 NWSL Finals, also held on ESPN2. King sees this as a significant marker as the NWSL is ahead of the WFA in terms of their timeline and investment, but she is encouraged by the audience WFA is drawing when their games are broadcasted on TV. She said, 'Our 2024 National Championship had 25% more viewership on ESPN2 than the National Women's Soccer League National Championship did on their ESPN2 broadcast in 2019, so that's three, four years later. So in my mind, we're about four years behind these other major women's sports leagues. because our viewership numbers are bigger than theirs were four years ago.' Similar to other women's sports leagues, the WFA has had to diversify its broadcasting offerings, outside of their multi-year deal with ESPN. Recently, the WFA has signed a deal with All Women's Sports Network (AWSN) which includes Pluto---extending their reach and audience further. Beyond traditional media and television exposure, the league smartly invested in quality cameras to capture highlights of their own to post to their social pages and have seen it pay off in their social media impressions and conversations about the league online, a staple of organic growth in women's sports---creating buzz and an online community and presence. According to WFA President Terry Smith, the inspiration behind the hit AppleTV show Ted Lasso, 'I think that was an area [capturing highlights] that has really helped us to grow and develop this year. All the highlights, cameras, and footage that we have been able to get out, but also our own shows like Road to the Championship and other content like that has had huge amounts of impact. And if you go back to ESPN in the early days when they had all the highlights, what separated them was the short clips, the highlight clips. That is what we really created with the league and highlights, that has been such an important element to open doors for us.' The league also has a multitude of partnerships that have helped elevate the teams and players including Wilson, AdeNation hydration drink, cellhelmet, edX, educational platform, and most notably in regards to their championships, Visit Canton and Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. WFA signed a five year deal with Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium to host their National Championships for all three divisions, as well as flag football. This year these championships will take place July 25 and July 26. The WFA and its front office core of King and Smith believe now is the right time to expand into a franchise model and capitalize on the momentum and boom of women's sports. Smith said, 'We are moving forward with the sale of expansion franchises because with the tremendous growth that is occurring in women's sports, then the WFA is the greatest investment opportunity available for people who want to own a professional team in any women's or men's sport.' He continued with a comparison to the NWSL and how its astronomical growth in a short time can demonstrate to investors the impact and earning potential of women's sports teams, 'Eight years ago, the NWSL had only four teams in their league that were charging $2 million for a franchise. Today, the average NWSL team is worth $134 million, and individual teams are worth up to $280 million.' The numbers in women's sports demonstrate this massive increase in business opportunities and ventures for savvy investors and owners. Recently, Forbes released its evaluation of NWSL and WNBA teams. The average of the WNBA's 12 team league (before the addition of the Golden State Valkyries) was $272 million with the New York Liberty ($400M) and Indiana Fever ($370M) taking the top two spots. King also echoed that this is not only a moment in time for women's sports but for the WFA, "We feel that our pro teams are now at a place where they're going to continue getting more viewership, they're getting more sponsorship dollars, they're getting more people in the stands. They're getting more network deals. And so with our growth right now, it is at a place where we set a solid foundation, and the teams are playing at such a high level that it's a natural transition into becoming a professional league and paying our players. Well now we're at a level where we're sellable. It's marketable. People are paying to watch it. You know, sponsors are coming in and paying to have sponsorship dollars, and so now they can invest in the league, and we can share in the growth, we can share in the profit, and we can continue to grow together, rather than it being membership teams. As for the evaluation of WFA teams, Smith asserted, "The WFA is the only major women's or men's sport remaining that is still poised to experience this explosive franchise value growth. Therefore, we expect our current $2 million franchise fee to increase in value just as rapidly.' As the WFA looks beyond the US for its growth and franchise model they have partnered with Cosmos Sports & Entertainment, a sports-marketing firm based in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada to search for ownership groups in Canada for teams to play in the league's pro division starting next season. According to Smith, 'About a week and a half ago, we signed an agreement in Canada where we have begun selling expansion franchises and creating an entire 6-8 team Canadian Division in the WFA.' Follow me for more women's sports content on X, LinkedIn, and Instagram.
New York Times
a day ago
- Sport
- New York Times
As others go silent, NWSL group doubles down on supporting Black players on Juneteenth and beyond
In its fifth year, The Black Women's Player Collective (BWPC) is doubling down on its core values, using Juneteenth as both a celebration and a call to action across women's soccer. Founded in 2020 amid national reckoning over racial injustice, BWPC's goal has been to create a public and private space for Black women in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL). Advertisement 'But we very quickly realized that it's just as important for our public image to connect with the next generation,' Utah Royals defender, and acting chair of BWPC, Imani Dorsey told The Athletic. 'We didn't grow up looking up to Black female figures in our sport. 'The ability to give young Black girls and young kids in general, just another idea of what a female footballer looks like has been really important to us and really impactful.' While participation at the college and professional levels has increased, the Sports & Fitness Industry Association, which focuses on youth participation by sport, found that 35 per cent of Black youth aged six to 17 regularly participated in sports during 2023, down from 45 per cent in 2013. BWPC's mission is front and center this weekend as the league and its teams celebrate Juneteenth (today, June 19, but teams have been honoring the day of remembrance throughout the month). A post shared by BWPC | #TheGameNeedsHer (@blackwplayercollective) As part of its 'Get Girls to Games' initiative, BWPC has teamed up with five NWSL clubs — Angel City FC, Racing Louisville, Gotham FC, Washington Spirit, and Bay FC — who have designated their June home games as Juneteenth games. The partnership brings young girls, especially from underrepresented communities, to their first professional matches through partnerships with organizations like Girls Inc. and PowerPlay NYC. BWPC also created a special shirt, designed by artist Cortney Herron, for players to wear before matches. 'They feel so just essentially Black, and unapologetically Black,' Dorsey said of the design. 'We want our organization to be a hub for Black creativity, connection and empowerment. So if we can amplify Black artists, Black creators, Black businesses, just as much as our Black players who are playing, that is the essence of the Black community. It's togetherness, it's unity, it's representation.' Advertisement But Dorsey said BWPC's work doesn't stop with one weekend. They're collaborating with the U.S. Soccer Foundation to build more mini-pitches and work toward long-term goals like subsidizing club fees and challenging the entrenched pay-to-play model that shuts out many young athletes — something that is personal for Dorsey. Her mother took on a second job just to pay for club soccer for her and her sisters. It's a story that's far too common. Project Play, an initiative launched in 2013 by the Aspen Institute's Sports & Society program, found that in 2022, families spent an average of $1,188 (£885 at current rates) annually per child to play soccer. The NWSL's weekend activities are not just one-offs, either. They have been built on long-term relationships between the collective and NWSL clubs. The relationship between the BWPC and the Spirit, for example, is not solely focused on June. One of the top missions of BWPC, bringing soccer to predominantly Black communities, aligns closely with work the Spirit has been committed to for years, as seen through their ongoing relationship with DC Scores, a local afterschool program in the area. The Spirit has previously sponsored clinics with the program, and was able to create a mini pitch sponsored by the collective. 'The work with Black Women's Player Collective was actually helpful in getting that program launched with the principal in that school,' RaShauna Hamilton, vice president of community development at the Washington Spirit, told The Athletic. The Spirit aims to be a strategic partner by connecting BWPC with key local contacts to help expand their reach and impact. Even when not directly co-hosting events, they offer support through resources, networking, and a visible presence. Partnering with BWPC for Juneteenth apparel may seem minimal, Hamilton says, but having this representation can resonate with fans of the Spirit. 'D.C. has one of the highest African American populations and one of the highest minority populations in all of the country, and so our representative and the Black Players Women's Collective are really important for us to speak directly to our audiences,' Hamilton said. In Harrison, New Jersey, Gotham FC will welcome 56 girls through Power Play New York City to their match against Bay FC on Saturday as part of their partnership with the collective. The club will also offer the league's official Juneteenth shirt to fans for purchase. This is part of the wider collaboration between BWPC and the league. Advertisement 'Gotham has always been and will always be, a safe, inclusive space for our fans, and so that is always a priority for us,' Laura Petro, Gotham's vice president of brand and fan experience, said. 'That is always something that is in the fabric of who we are as a club. … now more than ever.' On the West Coast, Bay FC donated 10 percent of the proceeds from its Juneteenth shirt sales to the collective. Meanwhile, Racing Louisville will wear the shirts before their game against Orlando Pride on Friday. The club told The Athletic that the team will also celebrate legendary boxer and civil rights leader Mohammed Ali, who was from Louisville. While some major sports leagues and governing bodies like the NFL and FIFA roll back their anti-racism initiatives, the BWPC is doing the exact opposite. Dorsey is not surprised by others' retreat from their 2020 promises, though it's a trend BWPC finds disappointing. 'We're not surprised. We know history. But that doesn't mean the work stops,' Dorsey said. 'If anything, we're doubling down. The fight for equity and representation isn't a moment, it's the mission.'
Miami Herald
2 days ago
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Spirit sign F Sofia Cantore, first Italian in NWSL history
The Washington Spirit signed forward Sofia Cantore on Tuesday, making her the first Italian player in NWSL history. Cantore arrives via transfer from Italy's Juventus FC and is signed to a three-year deal with a 2028 team option. Cantore, 25, is eligible to join the Spirit on July 1 when the FIFA summer transfer window opens. She will occupy an international roster slot. "Sofia is an important signing for this Spirit team as we continue to build up our roster to compete for trophies," head coach Adrian Gonzalez said. "Her extensive experience in the Italian leagues and exceptional talent in the attacking third will help add a new layer for the Spirit moving forward." Cantore made her professional debut with Italy's Fiammamonza in 2015 before moving to Juventus in 2017. She has spent time on loans with Hellas Verona (2019-20), Florentia (2020-21) and Sassuolo (2021-22), racking up 40 goals and 120 assists across 120 appearances. "I'm very proud to join this important club and grateful for their trust in my abilities," Cantore said. "I'm excited to start this new chapter of my career as the first Italian player in the NWSL and can't wait to work every day with coach Adrian Gonzalez and my new teammates. And of course, I'm thrilled to challenge myself in this great league!" Internationally, Cantore has contributed five goals in 37 matches with the Italian national team since making her senior debut in 2020. --Field Level Media Field Level Media 2025 - All Rights Reserved
Forbes
2 days ago
- Politics
- Forbes
As Juneteenth Marks Its Fifth Year As A National Holiday, Are Companies Participating? It Depends.
HARRISON, NEW JERSEY - JUNE 19: Mya Jones #18 of San Diego Wave FC celebrates her goal with the NWSL ... More logo and Honoring Juneteenth digital signage behind her during the second half of the National Women's Soccer League match against the NJ/NY Gotham FC at Red Bull Arena on June 19, 2024 in Harrison, New Jersey. (Photo by Ira L. Black - Corbis/Getty Images) Happy Birthday, Juneteenth! America's newest federal holiday celebrates its fifth year of celebration in 2025. In a year that has been marked by so much change related to the narrative, acceptance and visibility of DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) across America—from the military to education and boardrooms —Juneteenth serves as a reminder of why acknowledgment and recognition in America is so important. And it serves as a cautionary tale of what can happen to groups of Americans if people in charge are left unchecked. Juneteenth is much older than five years old on a nonfederal level, as it commemorates June 19, 1865, when Union General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, to announce the end of slavery—two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation. While celebrations began as early as 1866 (159 years ago), it wasn't until June 17, 2021, that President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act, officially making it a federal holiday. This recognition came amidst a national reckoning on racial justice, spurred by the deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, and a broader examination of systemic racism in the United States. In 2021, Juneteenth was signed into law as a federal holiday on a Thursday, two days before June 19, which fell on a Saturday. Virtually no one celebrated the day, primarily because it was a weekend, and the notice was too short to prepare anything at scale. But are companies celebrating America's youngest federal holiday? The short answer is: it depends. WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 17: An attendee adjusts his Juneteenth-themed hat during a neighborhood ... More Juneteenth festival on June 17, 2023 in Washington, DC. Two years ago, President Joe Biden signed bipartisan legislation establishing Juneteenth as a federal holiday. Juneteenth commemorates the day on June 19, 1865 when a Union general read orders in Galveston, Texas stating all enslaved people in the state were free according to federal law. (Photo by) While large market cap firms such as Omnicom, L'Oreal, Paramount, NBC Universal, IPG Mediabrands, the NFL and Disney, among others, are acknowledging the holiday by closing their companies for the day, many small and midsize companies are either positioning Juneteenth as one of their 'flex holidays,' where employees can select a preset number of holidays they prefer to take as paid time off, or simply not recognizing the day beyond an email message to employees. On the flip side, some companies such as Urban One, a leader in the space of Black-owned media, is recognizing the holiday by giving employees both Thursday and Friday as days off to honor the holiday, creating a long weekend for colleagues and staff. With companies engaging with this holiday via a spectrum of approaches, it's hard to tell exactly how much this holiday will evolve across the hallways of corporate America. New Scrutiny On Corporate DEI Since the 47th President took office, upon the passing of his the Executive Orders targeting DEI, there has been an overhaul in corporate language (link) and programming (link) around ensuring the actions organizations are taking are not only legal but also reflect authenticity. One of the key challenges for companies is avoiding the trap of performative activism—actions that appear supportive but lack meaningful impact. Posting a Juneteenth message on social media or hosting a one-off event may garner positive attention in the short term, but without sustained action, these gestures can ring hollow in the realm of public opinion. WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 17: U.S. President Joe Biden signs the Juneteenth National Independence Day ... More Act into law in the East Room of the White House on June 17, 2021 in Washington, DC. The Juneteenth holiday marks the end of slavery in the United States and the Juneteenth National Independence Day will become the 12th legal federal holiday — the first new one since Martin Luther King Jr. Day was signed into law in 1983. (Photo by) The Power Of Meaningful Engagement The best way for companies to approach Juneteenth is not as a marketing opportunity but as a genuine way to celebrate the day. To ensure that Juneteenth observances are impactful and authentic, companies should consider the following best practices: ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JUNE 19: Actress/singer Serayah McNeill attends Ebony Juneteenth Celebration at ... More The Gathering Spot on June 19, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo byfor Ebony) Whether you're employed at a company, a solopreneur or simply a community member, look within and go beyond symbolism. Use the time to reflect on your own practices, engage in honest conversations about equity and take concrete actions to address systemic inequities—every day. Each one of us has an opportunity to leverage Juneteenth as a way to honor those who have come before us—and to build a better future for all Americans.
