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Jan. 17, 2008

INTRODUCING .. .Women's Professional Soccer (in 2009)

WPS commissioner Tonya Antonucci, talking to a reporter at the NSCAA convention in Baltimore, is enthusiastic about the return of women's professional soccer.

Women's soccer fans have been waiting for more than four years for professional women's soccer to have a name and identity. It has -- as Women's Professional Soccer.

The league is expected to begin in 2009.

With the unveiling of the league logo and launch of its website, Women's Professional Soccer :: Homepage, WPS made its official debut Thursday 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," WPS commissioner Tonya Antonucci said in a statement. "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."

The league's predecessor, the Women's United Soccer Association, was alive and kicking from 2001-2003. It closed up shop only days prior to the 2003 Women's World Cup, which the United States hosted.

The WPS logo, developed by branding agency Adrenalin, Inc., features a deep navy, red, and gold color scheme while showcasing a familiar silhouette - FIFA World Cup champion, Olympic Gold Medal winner and Hall of Fame player Mia Hamm, a women's soccer pioneer.

"I am extremely honored and humbled to personify the WPS brand, knowing full well that this league will be revered by generations of soccer fans around the world," Hamm said. "Above all else, this league represents opportunity - not just for female soccer players, but for women everywhere."

Added Chicago team president and CEO and WP marketing committee chairman Peter Wilt: "The name and logo provide a solid foundation for the new league's brand as the premier women's soccer league in the world and the global standard by which women's professional sports are measured. Adrenalin provided tremendous guidance and creativity while working with the League and a broad base of outside advisors to create a name and look that represents WPS."

The league also launched its official website at Women's Professional Soccer :: Homepage, an interactive source for all information related to the league, WPS teams, prospective players and women's soccer in general. While online, fans will have access to behind-the-scenes videos on WPS TV, prospective player blogs, event and community calendars, league and team news, job and volunteer opportunities, links to individual team pages, and much more.

WPS will hold a Town Hall meeting, moderated by USA Today columnist Christine Brennan at 11 a.m. Saturday, one of many opportunities fans and soccer constituents will have to interact with the league in the coming months.

"We are actively seeking ambassadors to help raise awareness and generate widespread excitement about the league," Antonucci said. "One-on-one interaction with our fan base, such as the Town Hall meeting concept, will be the key to our success. As part of that grassroots effort, we want to engage in a dialogue with our supporters, starting with NSCAA coaches, to determine how WPS can partner with and aid their own local efforts."

Since the league was formalized in September, operations have been underway at the WPS office in San Francisco and team offices in Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, New Jersey/New York, St. Louis and Washington D.C.

Staffing has been among top priorities for both the league and its teams. In recent months, WPS has hired Boston Breakers general manager Joe Cummings as senior consulting chief operating officer, Vicki Veenker of Shearman & Sterling LLP as general counsel and Aaron Burch as league development/relationships manager.

Teams have also been active in hiring staff. Former women's national coach Tony DiCicco was named as the head coach of the Boston Breakers. The Washington Freedom appointed Joe Quinn as team president and general manager, Jim Gabarra as head coach, Louise Waxler as director of operations and Clyde Watson as assistant coach. Chicago's WPS team announced Marcia McDermott, former coach for the WUSA's Carolina Courage, as general manager.

"Momentum is definitely in our favor as we draw closer to the inaugural WPS season in 2009," Antonucci said. "The next year promises to be an exciting one for women's soccer, as our nation's elite athletes compete against the best international stars in the Beijing Olympics with the knowledge that they'll come home to the opportunity to play professionally. As the players prepare, we'll be working diligently toward the 2009 kickoff with more league and team news, facility announcements, and community events."