As reported exclusively by Caitlin Murray for Fox Soccer, the National Women's Soccer League commissioner Jeff Plush spoke candidly about the plans for league expansion which could take place in 2017 and beyond.
Plush spoke candidly about his hopes to add a new team next year, even though the window to do so is closing quickly and previously, the NWSL had tried to add two teams simultaneously to keep the total number of matches at an even number.
Top media markets, California especially, key for Plush
Speaking to Murray, Plush noted that the league was not in all of the key markets which made it "challenging to be considered a national property.” By making up ground in those markets, Plush hoped to "impact both media opportunities as well as sponsorship opportunities” for the league and ultimately, drive the revenue of the league up.
Plush went on to explain that many groups had approached the league to talk about joining the NWSL with their own teams and that he felt that California was the next big target for the league. The commissioner stated that "two of the top media markets are out there" which referenced to Los Angeles and San Francisco, both who have also expressed some interest in joining the NWSL in the future. Key markets like these will also help gain a better national broadcasting deal for the league as it pushes to get a longer-term deal from networks such as Fox Sports.
Ownership and infrastructure need to be considered
Some teams that have expressed interest in California, such as the future Major League Soccer team Los Angeles FC and the USL's Sacramento Republic want to join the NWSL but they would like to focus on first launching their MLS teams and building an infrastructure that could then hold both MLS and NWSL teams in the future.
Plush pushed that forward as well, noting that teams did not have to be tied to an MLS franchise but that “the first and most important box is always ownership" and having the right people in place for those potential teams will always be the first requirement of teams looking to enter the NWSL. Finding the right personnel has not always been the case for previous leagues in the United States of America so having that being the first priority is a must. The team's personnel also needs to be such that they will impact the market they are in and help the league grow to its fullest potential.
Geographical expansion in the South is needed
Since the Orlando Pride is the only team in the south of the US, Jeff Plush wants to bring in other areas to push the growth of the league in that region as well. The more teams in the same geographical area, the more chances there are to "create more regional rivalries" which "have value" according to Plush.
To date, an investment group in Atlanta has already stated their interest publicly to join the NWSL and lower-tiered teams such as the Carolina RailHawks and Indy Eleven, have also put their hats into the ring to join the NWSL in the future. For Plush, these are all viable options in the right geographical areas but the commissioner will evaluate all teams carefully before making a final decision. Plush felt that due tot he league's longevity, the NWSL has "earned the right to be more demanding of ourselves and our potential partners and expect them come on board and give us success." Plush expanded by saying it gave the NWSL the "opportunity to be measured" in their approach to expand and not to rush into anything.
Quotes via FoxSports.com