In an era of fanflation, is the NWSL the best value in sports? – Down to Business
On Saturday, 1,000 lucky NJ/NY Gotham FC fans will get to see the reigning champions take on Boston Legacy FC for $5. It is a small fee for a premium sports experience that feels almost out of place in today’s sports economy, especially for the National Women’s Soccer League, packed with global stars and nine-figure franchise valuations. The deal was part of a team promotion with the New York City government to highlight affordability issues, in sports and beyond.
It is also an example of why th
On Saturday, 1,000 lucky NJ/NY Gotham FC fans will get to see the reigning champions take on Boston Legacy FC for $5. It is a small fee for a premium sports experience that feels almost out of place in today’s sports economy, especially for the National Women’s Soccer League, packed with global stars and nine-figure franchise valuations. The deal was part of a team promotion with the New York City government to highlight affordability issues, in sports and beyond.
It is also an example of why the NWSL is still the best deal in sports, especially when many leagues are looking to squeeze more revenue from loyal fans. However, rising valuations and interest threaten that affordability. Across the sports landscape, especially in the women’s game, the math is changing quickly.
Often called “fanflation”, the cost of being a fan is rising faster than the franchise valuations. Another professional women’s sports league, the WNBA, is a cautionary tale. The WNBA is, by just about every metric, a runaway success.
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