WSII

Women's Professional Soccer (WPS) launches social networking site

Exclusive Olympics content from U.S. players and WPS coaches at fans.womensprosoccer.com  

Brandi Chastain to pick winner of WPS “Top Town Video Challenge”  

SAN FRANCISCO (Aug. 5, 2008) – On the eve of the U.S. Women’s first soccer match in the 2008 Olympic Games, Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS) has launched a social networking site at http://fans.womensprosoccer.com, giving soccer fans around the world an opportunity to interact with each other while viewing exclusive content such as live chats, reporter commentary, and player blogs.  The theme?  “Beijing Now. WPS Next.”

“All eyes are currently on Beijing, as the world’s greatest domestic and international soccer players go for the Gold,” said Tonya Antonucci, WPS Commissioner.  “It’s only fitting that WPS give fans worldwide a place to come together and rally around these Olympic athletes before many of them put their talent on display professionally in our League next April.

Women's Professional Soccer (WPS) announces post-Olympics timeline for national player allocation, team tryouts

U.S. Women’s National Team allocation week of September 15, immediately followed by International Player Draft and WPS General Draft

Combines, Post-Combine Draft and local tryouts conclude player selection process

SAN FRANCISCO (July 8, 2008) –Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS) announced today the details of its player selection process leading into the kickoff of its inaugural season in April 2009. WPS teams will build their rosters through an allocation of U.S. Women’s National Team stars, a draft of international players, combines, additional League drafts and local team tryouts.

WPS will begin securing domestic talent with the post-Olympics allocation of the U.S. Women’s National Team (WNT) and U.S. WNT Player Pool in mid-September, to be immediately followed with a draft of the top international players. In October, WPS will conduct a general draft for both domestic and international players, followed by east and west coast combines in December and a post-combine draft in January. WPS Teams for the inaugural 2009 season – Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, New Jersey/New York, St. Louis, and Washington D.C. – will then complete their rosters via local tryouts.

Women's Professional Soccer (WPS) plans to expand to Philadelphia in 2010, bringing league to eight teams

SAN FRANCISCO (May 27, 2008) – As Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS) prepares for its inaugural 2009 season, WPS Commissioner Tonya Antonucci announced today that Philadelphia investors have signed a letter of intent with the League regarding an expansion team for the 2010 season.  Slated to host a team for 2010, Philadelphia is the league’s eighth franchise, while WPS play commences next April in seven cities: Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, New Jersey/New York, St. Louis and Washington, D.C.

“Since signing on the dotted line with our initial seven investor groups in September of last year, we’ve had our sights set on adding an eighth team to the league,” said Antonucci.  “In Philadelphia, we have the perfect foundation for success, combining a strong operating group with the city’s recent acquisition of an MLS team to create a prime market for women’s soccer.

Two-time NBA MVP Steve Nash, former Yahoo! President & COO Jeff Mallett to invest as owners in Women's Professional Soccer (WPS)

SAN FRANCISCO (Feb. 5, 2008) – Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS) announced today that two-time NBA MVP Steve Nash and former Yahoo! President and Chief Operating Officer Jeff Mallett will become investors and part owners of the league, which begins play in 2009 with teams based in Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, New Jersey/New York, St. Louis, and Washington, D.C.  While Nash and Mallett will not operate a team, their investment will fund the ongoing development of WPS and is specifically earmarked for new media ventures and initiatives.

"I am really excited to play a role in bringing professional women’s soccer to North America,” said Nash.  “As a father of twin girls, I’m especially pleased to help young women around the world realize that their dreams of being a pro soccer player can indeed come true.”

WOMEN’S PROFESSIONAL SOCCER (WPS) UNVEILS NAME AND MIA HAMM-INSPIRED LOGO, LAUNCHES WEBSITE

WPS website – www.womensprosoccer.com – to serve as central source for all news and information related to the league

SAN FRANCISCO (Jan. 17, 2008) – Formally announced in September, the much-anticipated women’s professional soccer league launching in Spring 2009 now has a name, Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS).  With the unveiling of the league logo and launch of its website, www.womensprosoccer.com, WPS made its official debut today at the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) annual convention, taking place through Saturday in Baltimore, Md.

“A long and careful process led to the selection of Women’s Professional Soccer and the subsequent WPS acronym,” said Tonya Antonucci, WPS commissioner.  “The league and team owners reviewed countless variations of league names and logos and conducted numerous focus groups before ultimately deciding on a brand identity that we strongly believe will resonate with fans for years to come.”