Never two without three ? For the third time since the beginning of the 2000s, North American women's football is embarking on the perilous adventure of professionalism. A new attempt, more cautious than the two previous ones, the first meetings of which took place last weekend. And which finally seems capable of succeeding.
Reduced to its initials, the new women's league differs little from its predecessors. After the failures of the Women's United Soccer League (2001/2003) and the Women's Professional Soccer (2010/2012), the new experiment took the name National Women's Soccer League (NWSL). An almost misleading name, since this pro championship concerns players from three countries: United States, Canada and Mexico.
But the real novelty is elsewhere. For the first time, this professional league is administered and financed by the American Football Federation. In detail, this institution will pay the salaries of 24 players of the American national team, the Canadian federation taking care of the income of 16 of its internationals, Mexico financing 12 of its own. A form of revolution in a country where high-level sport has always been the business of the private sector.
Scalded by past attempts, the NWSL opted for caution. Its first championship will be reduced to just five months, from April to August 2013. It has eight teams, all American, most of them based in the eastern part of the United States (Boston, New York, New Jersey, Washington, etc.). Each of its eight teams cannot have more than 20 players in its squad. All will have to comply with a “salary cap” set at $200 per season (around €000). Salaries cannot exceed $150 for the five months of the championship (€000), with an imposed minimum of $30 (€000). Not enough to make a fortune, for the pioneers of the NWSL, but enough to make a more or less decent living.
For the best Americans, most of whom are involved in European championships, the call of the dollar should not be loud enough to bring them back home immediately. However, several of them assured the leaders of the new soccer league of their participation, at least for a few months. According to New York Times, Megan Rapinoe, under contract with Olympique Lyonnais, will join the championship during the summer months. She should be followed by Tobin Heath, one of the foreigners from Paris Saint-Germain. Several other internationals, licensed in German or Swedish clubs, could sign up next season.
Pending a contract with a national television channel, the NWSL is currently content to broadcast its meetings live on the Internet. But the main thing is elsewhere, in the very existence of a championship capable of keeping American, Canadian and Mexican players in the rhythm of the competition. “We need matches, every week,” explains Christie Rampone, an international recruited by the Sky Blue team, the New Jersey team.
