Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

Ohanian: NWSL better investment than MLS

Written by 
Published in Soccer
Wednesday, 17 March 2021 10:19

Reddit co-founder and Angel City FC lead investor Alexis Ohanian said that women's soccer is a better investment than Major League Soccer.

The new club is set to debut in the National Women's Soccer League in 2022, and features a long list of celebrity investors, including Ohanian's wife, tennis star, Serena Williams.

"The value of being associated with these women, I think, is a greater brand value than being associated with their male counterparts," he said in an interview with ESPN Deportes' Fernando Palomo. "And that's no disrespect to the MLS. I think they're doing amazing work. But I just think the amount that the women are undervalued is preposterous.

"American fans are realizing there are amazing talents all over the world playing the sport and importantly, the very best women in the world are all Americans and you just can't say that about footballers on the men's side."

- Stream ESPN FC Daily on ESPN+ (U.S. only)
- ESPN+ viewer's guide: Bundesliga, Serie A, MLS, FA Cup and more

Ohanian, 37, who is also involved a soccer-related startup called Gloria, added that when he digs into the support surrounding women's soccer, he feels "the leverage that it has, is just more valuable than so many others."

The serial entrepreneur admitted that he was "late to the party" when it came to being a fan of soccer. But a friend invited him to attend the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup quarterfinal between the USWNT and France, and the game not only made him a fan of the sport, but led to the realization that the women's side of the game was under-capitalized.

Ohanian said, "I watched this world class performance and I looked at my buddy, and I was like: 'Dude, how is it possible that I don't know more about this sport?'... There are players on this team that have transcended the sport, who are a part of the popular culture. How is it possible that this is not a more valuable asset?"

The NWSL isn't the first women's soccer league in the U.S. to boast the best players in the world. The WUSA and WPS both made the same case, and yet both endeavors folded after their third season. But Ohanian feels that the NWSL -- which is now entering its ninth campaign -- is the beneficiary of good timing in terms of the demographics of the sport's fans and the advent of social media.

"I think if you look across the board, all of the major sports leagues tend to have pretty old [demographics]," he said. "The average fans are in their 50s or 60s, which is lucrative. But it also means that you're just naturally going to have blind spots for the new generation, especially because that new generation is digital native, and that is the big advantage."

As for social media's role, Ohanian said he feels soccer has benefited from such platforms "because it has allowed fans all over the world to ignore time zones, to ignore TV blackouts, to be able to follow the teams they love and the players they love, wherever they are in the world...on their terms."

Ohanian also pointed out that there is "boundless opportunity" for growth in women's team sports given the relative lack of competition in that area.

"You have the WNBA, which is a very strong, obviously great professional league, but that's about it," he said. "And so for professional team sports in the United States, there's a huge whitespace for women. And what I think we've seen happen pretty clearly now in just the last year that Angel City FC has been around, is the business case is looking stronger than ever, because we're seeing brands come to us wanting to make very serious commitments."

Angel City is owned by a mix of celebrities, including actors Natalie Portman, Jennifer Garner and Eva Longoria, and retired soccer stars, including Julie Foudy, Mia Hamm and Abby Wambach.

The club will share Banc of California Stadium, south of downtown Los Angeles, with LAFC of Major League Soccer.

Read 245 times

Soccer

J.J. Watt vs. McAfee part of TST soccer tourney

J.J. Watt vs. McAfee part of TST soccer tourney

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsBurnley co-owner and NFL legend J.J. Watt's Burnley squad will face...

Tuchel: Madrid-Bayern clash every kid's dream

Tuchel: Madrid-Bayern clash every kid's dream

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsThomas Tuchel said his Bayern Munich players must "connect with the...

Maradona's stolen '86 Golden Ball to be auctioned

Maradona's stolen '86 Golden Ball to be auctioned

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsDiego Maradona's Golden Ball trophy won for being named the best pl...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

Miller on MSG return: 'The Boogeyman is coming'

Miller on MSG return: 'The Boogeyman is coming'

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsReggie Miller will be back at Madison Square Garden nearly 29 years...

Haliburton shoots for G2 rebound: 'I'll be better'

Haliburton shoots for G2 rebound: 'I'll be better'

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsNEW YORK -- Indiana Pacers All-Star Tyrese Haliburton is promising...

Baseball

Braves reliever Matzek to IL with elbow injury

Braves reliever Matzek to IL with elbow injury

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsATLANTA -- The Braves lost another reliever to an injury on Tuesday...

MLB: Don't push kids to drop out to evade draft

MLB: Don't push kids to drop out to evade draft

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsMajor League Baseball has sent a warning to clubs about encouraging...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated