Soccer--Washington Spirit DA $$$$$

[Anonymous]

What is it thats going to change that makes the Spirit fees go down? They will never have the scale efficiencies of a full club with a tiered structure. Will the pro club magically generate more revenue?

[Anonymous]

The club can seek to generate more revenue. Sponsorships can be found, revenue can be re directed. Spirit likely could not afford the start-up fees associated with two new DA's but once established they can certainly find areas where they can contribute.

[Anonymous]

^^^^^ why doesn't the club contribute cash now? If there was a real belief that the DA would be generating any significant additional revenue in the future, it would carry the start-up expenses (kind of like every other start-up business). This would make the fees more attractive and affordable for a larger audience. As it is, I think this DA is going to be known mostly for its high cost and apparently some photo opportunities.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:^^^^^ why doesn't the club contribute cash now? If there was a real belief that the DA would be generating any significant additional revenue in the future, it would carry the start-up expenses (kind of like every other start-up business). This would make the fees more attractive and affordable for a larger audience. As it is, I think this DA is going to be known mostly for its high cost and apparently some photo opportunities.

And training.

Geez, I know the costs are high, and there are other criticisms you can make about this, but your unwillingness to acknowledge facts that have been repeatedly stated makes it quite clear that you have an agenda, coach (or rival club's parent).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:^^^^^ why doesn't the club contribute cash now? If there was a real belief that the DA would be generating any significant additional revenue in the future, it would carry the start-up expenses (kind of like every other start-up business). This would make the fees more attractive and affordable for a larger audience. As it is, I think this DA is going to be known mostly for its high cost and apparently some photo opportunities.

I don't know, but based on the fees alone one is looking at $400k-$500k for one DA alone. So my guess is Spirit simply does not currently have $1million dollars in cash just laying around to fully fund a DA that they were just awarded almost les than a year ago. Most NWSL clubs are likely limping by on small profits as is before throwing a $1 Million dollar bill on top of it. They have no real youth program to speak of and Super Y likely generates slim margins as that revenue is likely split with the actual host clubs.

The question is, what is Spirit's overall plan to generate revenue for the DA's down the road.

[Anonymous]

Simple question, should the professional side be subsidizing the DA, or should should the DA be subsidizing the professional club? And by subsidizing, nobody means providing full scholarships for every player, so talking about whether Spirit has $1 million lying around is not relevant.

What is happening now is that Spirit seems to be making the DA not just pay all of the costs associated the DA (which is fair enough and what happens at other clubs) but is also requiring the DA players to subsidize the professional team by including season tickets in the team fees. That last part seems inappropriate to me.

[Anonymous]

I think ultimately, US Soccer is trying to develop the women's game in the US. That includes developing players (the primary purpose of the GDA) and driving interest in the USWNT and the women's pro team program. And...the WS GDA is offering its players far more than photo opps with Mallory Pugh. Yes, the jury is still out as to whether we'll get our $5K worth of value, but so far, I've been impressed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Simple question, should the professional side be subsidizing the DA, or should should the DA be subsidizing the professional club? And by subsidizing, nobody means providing full scholarships for every player, so talking about whether Spirit has $1 million lying around is not relevant.

What is happening now is that Spirit seems to be making the DA not just pay all of the costs associated the DA (which is fair enough and what happens at other clubs) but is also requiring the DA players to subsidize the professional team by including season tickets in the team fees. That last part seems inappropriate to me.

Simple question, what will your DA cost after all is said and done? Training fees area small part of it? What are some of the other itemized costs that are not being told up front?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Simple question, should the professional side be subsidizing the DA, or should should the DA be subsidizing the professional club? And by subsidizing, nobody means providing full scholarships for every player, so talking about whether Spirit has $1 million lying around is not relevant.

What is happening now is that Spirit seems to be making the DA not just pay all of the costs associated the DA (which is fair enough and what happens at other clubs) but is also requiring the DA players to subsidize the professional team by including season tickets in the team fees. That last part seems inappropriate to me.

Professional womens soccer can barely support itself, much less youth players in a league that requires the highest level of coaches and facilities.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Simple question, should the professional side be subsidizing the DA, or should should the DA be subsidizing the professional club? And by subsidizing, nobody means providing full scholarships for every player, so talking about whether Spirit has $1 million lying around is not relevant.

What is happening now is that Spirit seems to be making the DA not just pay all of the costs associated the DA (which is fair enough and what happens at other clubs) but is also requiring the DA players to subsidize the professional team by including season tickets in the team fees. That last part seems inappropriate to me.

Professional womens soccer can barely support itself, much less youth players in a league that requires the highest level of coaches and facilities.

Um... is there something out of whack when the money flowing into this enterprise is for the coaches and facilities? Maybe the players should be more of the focus ....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Simple question, should the professional side be subsidizing the DA, or should should the DA be subsidizing the professional club? And by subsidizing, nobody means providing full scholarships for every player, so talking about whether Spirit has $1 million lying around is not relevant.

What is happening now is that Spirit seems to be making the DA not just pay all of the costs associated the DA (which is fair enough and what happens at other clubs) but is also requiring the DA players to subsidize the professional team by including season tickets in the team fees. That last part seems inappropriate to me.

Professional womens soccer can barely support itself, much less youth players in a league that requires the highest level of coaches and facilities.

Um... is there something out of whack when the money flowing into this enterprise is for the coaches and facilities? Maybe the players should be more of the focus ....

You're right, FCV and VDA are both free DA's. :/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Simple question, should the professional side be subsidizing the DA, or should should the DA be subsidizing the professional club? And by subsidizing, nobody means providing full scholarships for every player, so talking about whether Spirit has $1 million lying around is not relevant.

What is happening now is that Spirit seems to be making the DA not just pay all of the costs associated the DA (which is fair enough and what happens at other clubs) but is also requiring the DA players to subsidize the professional team by including season tickets in the team fees. That last part seems inappropriate to me.

Professional womens soccer can barely support itself, much less youth players in a league that requires the highest level of coaches and facilities.

Um... is there something out of whack when the money flowing into this enterprise is for the coaches and facilities? Maybe the players should be more of the focus ....

Uh, the coaches and facilities are for the benefit of the players. What would you have the money spent on instead that would benefit the players more?

[Anonymous]

You're right, FCV and VDA are both free DA's.

Random question ... Does anyone know what they cost?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

You're right, FCV and VDA are both free DA's.

Random question ... Does anyone know what they cost?

FCV is likely around $3k for training fees not including Futsal and travel.

[Anonymous]

If I understand the numbers in this post, that puts a pro team DA about $1000-$1500 more than non-pro DA?