Damallsvenskan Newsblog

This is old news, but might have some interest for our overseas readers.

In late May a major daily, Göteborgsposten, published a couple of articles on the possible revival of the professional american women's soccer league WUSA. They refer to the work of Tonya Antonucci and the WSII (but doesn't quote her) and claims that the league is almost ready to return, opening the 2008 season. According to the paper the new league will consist of 8 or 10 clubs. 7 of the locations are according to the paper already decided and financed (San Diego, San Fransisco, Los Angeles, Vancouver, Washington, Rochester and New York), while three more are called "probable" (Chicago, Atlanta, Gary).

Since the previous WUSA folded 2003, a lot of players that would have played in the league has turned to Europe instead and in particular to Damallsvenskan. A new professional league in USA would attract these players and probably some Swedish stars too.

"That is one way to see it", comments the president of the Swedish Football Association Lars-Åke Lagrell, "but if you love football and wants women's football to develop, this is a great step forward."
 
KIF Örebro's head coach Pia Sundhage and Kopparbergs/Göteborg's chairman Peter Bronsman are both positive. Sundhage is open to the prospect of returning to USA "if the season will be long enough and the league will be open to international players" and Bronsman thinks an American professional league will stimulate Damallsvenskan. "I think a lot of our players have the dream of playing professionally and we wont stop anyone". On the contrary, Bronsman says he wants to be part of a revived WUSA: "We might not have an own team there, but our ambition is at least a close cooperation with a WUSA side, including player exchange".

Umeå's manager Roland Arnqvist is a bit more subdued: "It really doesn't matter what we think. Professional leagues will be established, in Europe too. And in the long run this is a positive thing".

Damallsvenskan newcomer's Bälinge relies heavily on their American trio White, Sitch and Cooper. Club chairman Conny Sjöberg says that a new WUSA will have consequences for the club. "There is a big risk that a WUSA league will be more attractive than Damallsvenskan. And it is almost impossible for us to find domestic players that can fully replace our Americans."

Kopparbergs/Göteborg's star forward Lotta Schelin finally, says "Great! That would give a realistic goal for girls that want to be professional footballers". And would Lotta go herself? "If I got an offer, I would definitely consider it".

After allowing a political manifestation in the arena during the half time recess, Umeå now faces possible penalties in form of a fine or the loss of points or both.

Umeå's home match against Jitex last Sunday was sponsored by a the local trade unions. During halftime the chairwoman of the Swedish Trade Union Confederation, also a leading social democrat, held a speech to the assembled crowd.

It is not uncommon that political parties sponsors sport events, but the rule made by the Football Association is rather strict; you are only allowed to show the name and logotype of the organisation, nothing else. No speeches, no other form of manifestations.

The combined 2005 turnover for the Damallsvenskan clubs was SEK 42,5 millions, a 9 % growth from 2004, says the yearly financial report from the Swedish Football Association. Ticket sales were up 11 % and incomes from sponsoring and advertising grew 16 %. The combined results of the Damallsvenskan clubs gave a SEK 0,7 million deficit.

Damallsvenskan has been growing steadily for several years now, and Umeå IK still is the by far biggest club financially. But since they hadn't qualified for UEFA Women's Cup play in 2005 their incomes took a 15 % drop and ended at SEK 8,4 millions, creating a SEK 0,4 million deficit. Biggest earners after Umeå was, somewhat surprising, newcomers Qbik and, less surprising, Malmö FF with SEK 5,7 and 5,3 millions respectively.

The average compensation for a Damallsvenskan player was SEK 25,200 - a 6 % increase from 2004.