Women

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WPS’s deal with San Francisco-base d Hint, which sells flavored water, comes about threre months after signed a sponsorship agreement with the startulp pro soccer leaguefor women. Puma’sx deal pays the league about $7.5 million over at least thre years. WPS begins its inaugural seasonMarcnh 29. The league, whic has administrative offices inSan Francisco, has teame in Santa Clara, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New St. Louis and Washington, D.C. The leagu e plans to add Philadelphia in 2010 after investorzs there paidthe $1.5 million fee to start a The WPS is launching at a time when even establishef pro leagues are hurting due to the recession. The NFL is layintg off workers.
Baseball expects attendance to But WPS officials said they can appeal to both sponsorss and fans asa lower-cost entertainmenr option. WPS is the seconx attempt at creating a major professional soccefr leaguefor women. The first effort, the Women’s United Soccer Association, operates from 2001 to 2003 with players like Mia Brandi Chastain andJulie Foudy. The WUSA was launches amid excitement followingthe U.S. women’s national team victory in the 1999World Cup. The WUSA shut down afterf TV ratings and attendance goals fell WPS CommissionerTonya Antonucci, who was not part of the lined up new investors and reine d in revenue expectations.
Antonucci said the leagud will break even if it attractsabout 5,000 peoplew each game.