making a living or selling out...

Lately I've noticed some more United States women's soccer (USWNT) players tweeting more sponsored tweets or those tweets that come off as obligatory ads based on a contract. Usually it's for a silly company and/or it doesn't seem like anyone tried very hard to mask the ad. 

Very few women's soccer players are becoming millionaires just by playing the game, especially in the United States. (Of course I actually don't think professional athletes need to be millionaires, but that's for another day.) I credit those players who have been able to utilize agents and/or take advantage of their stock to secure outside sponsorships. In the latest version of women's professional soccer (NWSL) in the U.S. many players can't afford to live off of their salary. The USWNT players are paid by US Soccer, the national governing body, and many other players work other jobs, play overseas in the offseason and/or live with host families to make ends meet. I can understand that a sponsor might be helpful. 

Typically, sponsorships are seen as a gauge to judge success. Businesses, colleges, athletes and more are looking for new ways to add sponsors. Sometimes the sponsor trades ad space for product, while other times the sponsor will pay for ad space or some form of promotion. An individual or a group's ability to add sponsors, typically showcases marketability and/or popularity. No one is knocking on my door to sponsor my blog based on my limited views, but the top blogs have the potential to be profitable with ad space. Very few Fortune 500 companies are seeking out the NWSL as a league or USWNT players to sponsor. Many will judge the league's success based on not only the number of sponsors and amount of sponsorship dollars, but the quality of the sponsors. 

I want few things more than to see women's soccer players make a living playing the game they love. I just start to wonder when players are promoting Nesquik as a way to refuel after exercise and sending cheesy tweets about Cocoa Pebbles… Is this a sign that companies are willing to compensate women's soccer players or are players willing to sell out to make a quick buck? Are you going to buy Nesquik because I tweet about it? Are you more likely to buy it if Sydney Leroux tweets about it? Maybe all of these little kids are forcing their parents into buying it for them… but I must say I never used Pert Plus because Mia Hamm supposedly did. 

Of course this could also just irritate me because I think it treads on the twitter landscape of "authentic" communication with people previously unreachable. Twitter succeeds when people feel like they're hearing from those people they may not have access to otherwise. Do your followers trust you when you sprinkle in sponsored tweets? Do your followers believe that you really use that product? Regardless, I'm interested to see where it goes. Will sponsored tweets continue to gain steam or will they fade? Will more USWNT players pick up sponsors if these others succeed? Can't wait to find out…

hope solo...

It might be a bit premature to write the token Hope Solo blog since I haven't read her book yet. Maybe I don't have the whole picture, but since following the US women's national soccer team (USWNT) for the last 15-20 years (and by follow I mean occasionally obsess and/or stalk) I've followed her career from the beginning and had to insert my opinion after so much criticism over the last five years.

Solo is most known for controversy when I probably appreciate her most for her goalkeeping abilities. A year older than me, I was trying to wrap up high school when Hope was finishing her freshman year of college and earning her first cap (appearance) with the full USWNT in 2000. She was an alternate for the 2004 Olympic team before really becoming the starting keeper in 2005. I'm not sure anyone really knew who she was until the 2007 World Cup. Her father passed away just before the tournament and Solo dedicated the tournament to him earning some press. Things really went crazy when former USWNT head coach Greg Ryan benched Solo for the semifinal versus Brazil in favor of Briana Scurry. Brazil had their way with the USWNT that day as they rolled to a 4-0 win and Solo told a reporter after the game, "It was the wrong decision, and I think anybody that knows anything about the game knows that. There's no doubt in my mind I would have made those saves. And the fact of the matter is it's not 2004 anymore. It's not 2004. And it's 2007, and I think you have to live in the present. And you can't live by big names. You can't live in the past. It doesn't matter what somebody did in an Olympic gold medal game in the Olympics three years ago. Now is what matters, and that's what I think." Most people only quote the first two sentences, but she's referencing 2004 because Ryan supposedly attributed Scurry's start to her strong performance in the 2004 Olympics.

My take: I agree with what Solo said. I was never a fan of Ryan and while I appreciated Scurry's tremendous career, I didn't think there was a need to change what wasn't broken. At the same time, I don't think it was the time to say it. I also don't think she should have even been accessible to reporters. As someone in PR, I don't think we're supposed to blame our own, so I'm not blaming anyone, but I think you need to know your personnel and the circumstances. It was obviously a volatile situation, but I think you have to know Hope would speak her mind so if you don't want to hear it, avoid putting her in that situation (this was also pre-twitter so there was more control).

Ironically enough Scurry was an alternate on the 2008 Olympic team when Solo posted a shutout in the gold medal game over Brazil. The 2011 World Cup was without a ton of controversy. The team lost and some have been critical of Solo's time spent with her family in the stands rather than congregating with the team, but I don't really care. It's hard to want to be around your team after a loss. She didn't ostracize her teammates (as far as I know) and she went and thanked her family. Not a big deal... to me.

Leading up to the 2012 Olympics, the USADA issued a public warning against Solo for taking a banned substance. It was a diuretic... not a performance enhancer and they figured out it was from a prescribed medication for "premenstrual purposes." Other than the public warning, there weren't any other penalties issued.

My take: Not a big deal. Some people have criticized her for being a distraction to the team before the tournament and suggesting she should have done a better job knowing what she was taking. I think athletes do have the responsibility of checking any medication to make sure it isn't banned. I don't know  whether Solo didn't check or just assumed it would be fine, but I don't think she was trying to disguise anything else with the diuretic and I don't think she was trying to bring attention to herself or be a distraction. She was publicly warned and had to tell everyone she was on premenstrual medication. Not the most embarrassing thing (there are tons of women taking birth control or some kind of medication for premenstrual purposes), but also not anything to brag about. In a bonus chapter of her book available online, Solo said, "Still, the burden of proof fell on me. Part of being a world-class athlete is keeping aware of everything that enters one’s body. I understood I needed to file a TUE—a therapeutic use exemption. I knew all the rules; I just hadn’t known there was anything in the drug that I needed to worry about. I couldn’t believe that my Olympic dreams could be ruined because of a medication I’d been taking for more than a year." She also mentions in the book the last athlete who tested positive for the drug was banned for two months. There's no way Solo does this on purpose or to bring attention to herself. Too dangerous.

After the second game of the tournament, Solo fired off some tweets directed to Brandi Chastain regarding her commentating. Solo was criticized for sparking controversy, serving as another distraction and heaven forbid, criticizing a '99 hero.

My take: You can read Solo's version in the bonus chapter, but I think the tweets were taken out of context. Solo and Chastain had a history and Solo had enough. I think she even felt like she was sticking up for her team, for the sport and even said, "When the tweets came across everyone’s Twitter feed, the bus erupted with cheers. 'Hell yeah, Hope,' my teammates cried. Pearcie and Abby and others offered up high fives. 'Somebody finally said it,' they said. It was a bonding moment for our team." I agree with Solo, Chastain is not a good commentator. I don't think it has anything to do with whether she's a '99er or not. I'm pretty critical of women's soccer commentators in general. I know sometimes executives think it's best to rely on a big name rather than big talent especially having worked with Anson Dorrance when he was broadcasting for the WUSA. Again, I question Solo's timing on the tweets, but after getting on the bus after a big win and getting an "onslaught" of negative feedback I can understand how she thought she was standing up for her team and the game. Those who had blown up Solo's phone (friends, family, twitter groupies) all applauded Solo's confrontation (can you call it a confrontation if it's on twitter?). Regardless, I don't think it was Solo trying to be a distraction. I think she thought she was standing up to the class bully (unfounded or not)... I can appreciate her intentions.

Since the Olympics Solo's been making public appearances and people will continue to critique her words and actions. I think that comes with the territory when you're on national tv and publish a tell-all book. I don't think Solo thrives in the public eye and she's more comfortable with her friends and around people she trusts. I know many are tired of people using the "troubled upbringing" as an excuse for crappy things. I don't think Solo would ever use it as an excuse, but I think she does tend to defend herself easily and question others easily and for that I'm not sure I can blame her.

My graduate degree would call me to question the treatment of Solo as a female compared to her male counterparts. Would anyone care if a male athlete had complained about getting benched in one of the biggest games of his career or tweeted to a commentator about a poor performance? I think it would make the news and I think people would either laugh at the guy (because he's not respected in his sport) or applaud him (because they would agree). Regardless, I don't think Solo's press persona should take away from her abilities on the field. She truly is an amazing goalkeeper and in 4-8 years someone else might be ready for her to be benched, but for now... play on!

women's soccer in the media...

I'm breaking from the normal routine to write about the Women's World Cup. I know it doesn't interest everyone, but as I've mentioned before I consider myself a pretty big fan of the US Women's National Team (USWNT) and have been tracking them through the tournament.

One of my frustrations with sports in general would be the media's portrayal of events. My profession might even group me in with the media sometimes, but I usually feel more like a liaison between the university and the media and I hope I can represent both sides fairly. I get frustrated when the media are desperate for ratings or readership or maybe just attention and end up making something out of nothing.

Anyone who follows the USWNT knows they didn't take the easy road getting to this year's WWC. They really haven't had the best success in world cups since the always remembered 1999 championship. In reality, the women have only won two of the five cups. The team has won three of four gold medals in the Olympics and the team entered the WWC ranked number one despite dropping two games in 2011 prior to the tournament. I don't think we are the dominant force in women's soccer as I once may have argued. Whether it's parity in the game or the team never recovering from the retirement of the "Fab Five," the USWNT has not been cruising as the media might like everyone to believe.

Therefore... I don't think yesterday's loss to Sweden was a surprise, a wake-up call or a reality check. I was not stunned or shocked. I was disappointed and frustrated, but the media (including print, web and tv) has portrayed it as a huge upset. Sweden is ranked fifth, so in terms of rankings, yes it was an upset, but I'd argue the rankings.

Hope Solo has garnered a lot of attention since her "outburst" after the USWNT 4-0 loss to Brazil in the 2007 WWC. I thought she had a point... I didn't agree with her method. She has since criticized the media (or maybe culture as a whole) for the difference in expectations between men and women.

"People like to keep everything so positive -- like we're the girls next door. We like to do everything together, and all that. Why are we sugarcoating? Just because we're teammates doesn't mean we're all best friends. But that's how women's sport have been portrayed. We're not your girls next door. We have opinions, we have arguments."

Her argument is a completely separate blog... but just reinforces my point we have some issues to address with the media. Since the WWC began, Solo mentioned getting painkillers for her shoulder and everyone jumped on it thinking they had found a weakness. She's recovered from surgery, but Solo finally got tired of everyone questioning her and assured ESPN viewers she was fine and it wouldn't affect her performance. Leading up to the match against Sweden the media jumped on Abby Wambach and Heather O'Reilly missing pre-game practices. Wambach still played a full 90 on Wednesday and after being questioned after the game Wambach said (paraphrased) "I keep saying I'm going to play every minute of this tournament and no one believes me." Why do we have to make something out of nothing?

Before the USWNT's first game of the tournament, head coach Pia Sundhage switched the lineup starting Lauren Cheney instead of Megan Rapinoe. The media jumped on it almost trying to start drama. Cheney scored and celebrated with the bench, perhaps putting the issue to rest. Instead in the second game Rapinoe entered as a sub and scored with the announcer, Ian Darke, shouts, "Rapinoeee... ohh there's an answer to the coach!" Yes, everyone is fighting for playing time. Yes, Rapinoe would probably prefer to start. But I feel like the media would love to create some dissension and let the USWNT be a Jersey Shore spin-off.

I know the old saying, "any publicity is good publicity" and I'm sure the USWNT follows it to some extent. It's been awhile since a women's sports team took over the nation like it did in 1999. I get that... but I still don't want to sell out.

soccer stalkerism... part II

[read part I here]

Despite the lack of obsession, I've still tried to follow the USWNT blog faithfully. At some point U.S. Soccer announced the women would be coming back to Cary to take on Japan in a World Cup prep game. I recruited some friends and paid way too much money for seats by the tunnel close to the field. Anytime I go to Cary, my mind wanders back to the nine months I lived there after college. I did an internship for the Carolina Courage during my senior year of college and was absolutely thrilled when they offered me a job after graduation. I was paid pennies and worked my butt off, but was living my dream job at 20 years old.

On Wednesday we ate cheap across from SAS, the company that almost bought the Courage. We cut through back roads I memorized eight years ago to get to my apartment. We took the same path I used to take from my apartment to the stadium, but were forced to park much further away! I always feel a little possessive when I get back to the stadium. We spent so much time trying to build our brand... I didn't work there long, but it meant the world to me. I reminisced working camp with the players and staff, painting a ridiculous banner in the locker room or hauling merchandise in the Hyundai Santa Fe.

During the game I watched Shannon Boxx, the player who used the WUSA as her tryout for the USWNT. I spotted former Courage coach and Assistant GM Marcia McDermott, former assistant coach Susan Ellis and former superstar Hege Riise. There were former USWNT players galore between Mia Hamm, Cindy Parlow, Julie Foudy and Kate Markgraf. Tennessee head coach Angela Kelly blended in amongst UNC coach Anson Dorrance and current USWNT players Lindsey Tarpley and Heather Mitts. I fell right back into the extreme fandom spouting off useless knowledge and winning the halftime trivia game from my seat.

If I worked for U.S. Soccer I would be working hard in these months leading up to the World Cup to get people excited about women's soccer. If that was the goal Wednesday night, U.S. Soccer succeeded. I'm itching to watch more soccer... read more articles... I'm ready for the 2011 World Cup. I don't know if I'll ever have the opportunity to work directly with professional women's soccer players again, but I will forever be a supporter.

soccer stalkerism... part I

 I grew up a soccer fan. There weren't many others like me when I was growing up. I wish I remembered the moment when I knew I loved soccer. I first played when I was six and I can't imagine I was really good. My teams were dominated by boys and I have a feeling I had to work hard to prove value to the team.

My mom told a story the last time I was home about when I was kid... She came to pick me up from a school dance and went inside to look for me and someone told her I was outside playing. She was so excited I wasn't being a girly girl stuck inside with the insecurities of a school dance. She tracked me down and we loaded up the car and she asked about my decision to play outside. I was so matter-of-fact, but that's where the boys were. Some girls played sports because they felt like one of the guys. I didn't feel like one of the guys, I just think there was definitely a part of me that wanted to just be with the guys. I went where they were.

I subscribed to Soccer Jr. magazine and started to learn about the United States Women's National Team (or USWNT). I vaguely remember hearing about the U.S. loss in the 1995 World Cup, but remember falling madly in love throughout the 1996 Olympics. I passionately followed Dominique Dawes and the U.S. gymnastics team as much as I did Michelle Akers and the U.S. women's soccer team. As far as I can remember, I first saw the team play live June 8, 1997. I saw them again a few years later at the Naval Academy and have seen the team play three times in Cary, N.C.

When I wasn't watching the team live, I was collecting newspaper and magazine articles (I have four binders full) or recording games on tv (I have at least 29 games on vhs not counting pro or college games). I went to a Michelle Akers conference in college and have autographs from a bunch of players. Through at least high school and college I could name every player in the national team pool, their number and college. During the 1999 World Cup I was working at a camp without access to watch games. My boyfriend and my parents sent me articles and on championship Saturday, anyone who could stand me crowded around a 13 inch tv to watch history. In 2003 I volunteered at the World Cup and watched games with former coworkers and players from the WUSA. In 2007 I recruited players from Methodist to get up at the crack of dawn and watch games... Most would say I was dedicated.

I still follow the team, but over the last five years of working a job engrossed in sports my fandom has waned...

to be continued

[my ability to babble has inspired me to post part II tomorrow]

birthdays

I've always had this thing for birthdays. I'm not sure when it started but I know I was thrilled to spend nearly every birthday from 9-18 at a camp of some kind. There were tons of people celebrating with me. Having a summer birthday not everyone remembers my birthday. It's hard when you don't see someone to always remember. I'm sure I've forgotten my fair share of birthdays myself. Of course now we have facebook to remind us. Two years ago I took my birthday off facebook just to see who remembered. It didn't go well. I've caved to the system and I appreciate the multitude of people who left me well wishes this year.

On Tuesday a couple of my friends and I drove to Alexandria, Va. We checked into our hotel and realized it actually had a pretty sweet view. We found the metro station and walked into Olde Towne in Alexandria to get dinner. We ate at King Street Blues and had amazing ribs before heading to nearby Light Horse. They were supposed to have a singer but Shane somebody never showed up so we entertained ourselves. We eventually headed back to the hotel and toasted my birthday at 1:03 am with some fine H2O.

We spent Wednesday in DC at at WNBA game between the Washington Mystics and the San Antonio Silver Stars. I was one of three fans in the crowd routing for the Silver Stars since my favorite player Shanna (Zolman) Crossley is on the team. She missed the trip with an injury but the Stars pulled out the one point victory.

We had an exciting trip home belting out some tunes to make the time go by. I made it home in time to get ready for Dan to arrive. Dan and I met some friends from work Thursday night for more birthday celebration and then my parents arrived Friday to continue the birthday fun. I've been itching for the blackberry storm since it came out... waiting for them to get the glitches out and waiting for my account to afford it. Thankfully my parents bought it for my birthday but I'm still attempting to learn to use it!

Regardless, it was one of the best birthday weeks I've had in a long time. It was nice to be surrounded by people again. I'm thoroughly grateful.

This morning in church Rev. John Cook talked about evangelism. He quoted D.T. Niles who said, "Evangelism is just one beggar telling another beggar where to find bread." He told a story from his time at his first church. Everyone wanted him to talk to this girl and lead her to Christ. He figured people had talked to her before but he went and gave her his speel but she turned down his offer to receive Christ. He went on to pray with her and when he finished she had tears coming down her face. She said, "You're the first person who cared enough to come." Do we care enough to come?

This afternoon I watched USA Softball storm through Australia to reach the World Cup championship. Jennie Finch pitched a shutout victory. It was good to watch some games especially since right now softball won't be in the Olympics anymore. One of ESPN's commentators, Michele Smith was promoting the committee working to bring softball back to the Olympics. Check out www.backsoftball.com to show your support.

After softball came the US Women's National Team soccer game against Canada. I've been a huge fan of the USWNT since 1995. I've bordered obsessive at times but it's hard to keep up with them now with my job. Today Abby Wambach was going for her 100th international goal in her hometown of Rochester, N.Y. I can't imagine the pressure. She broke her leg a little more than a year ago missing the Olympics. Now back where all of her friends and family are she's trying to score a historic goal. Beth Mowins reminded the audience numerous times she averages a goal every 97 minutes but things were looking tough early. Abby was trying to get free but it wasn't until the 78th minute when Lauren Cheney (the player who took Abby's place on the Olympic roster) fed Abby and she slipped one to the far post side netting for the goal. ESPN showed Abby celebrate with her teammates and coach and of course panned up to show her parents who were celebrating just as much. It has to be a cool feeling to score 100 international goals... but I think it has to be an even better feeling to score 100 international goals with your parents enjoying it just as much.

Just a thought or two to ponder on fine sunday... I leave you with the historic toast marking the 27th anniversary of my birth :)