Latest news with #womensoccer
CNA
02-07-2025
- Sport
- CNA
Euro 2025 sees a record high for women coaches, but still outnumbered by men
ZURICH :From tournament stalwarts Pia Sundhage and Sarina Wiegman to international debutante Rhian Wilkinson, the Women's European Championship that kicks off on Wednesday in Switzerland marks an historic high for female coaches. But while women's soccer is one of the better sports for female representation, male coaches still have a slight edge in terms of numbers with nine of the 16 teams at Euro 2025 coached by men and seven by women. The 43.75 per cent of female coaches is a seismic leap from Euro 2013, where just 18.75 per cent of teams were coached by women. That figure had nearly doubled by 2017 and held steady in 2022 at 37.5 per cent. "It's clear progress is being made - slowly but surely," the Female Coaching Network said. "Of course, there's still a long road ahead. Change takes time." Lack of success has not been a factor. Between 2000 and the 2023 Women's World Cup, all but one of the major women's football tournaments - World Cup, Women's Euros and the Olympics - were won by female-coached teams. Norio Sasaki, the man who coached Japan to World Cup gold in 2011, was the sole exception. Wiegman was the last woman standing in 2023 in Australia, where England reached their first World Cup final, losing to Spain. Spanish manager Luis Rubiales was fired and then found guilty of sexual assault and fined more than 10,000 euros ($10,798) for kissing national team player Jenni Hermoso during the World Cup trophy celebration in a case that sparked a nationwide furore. Sundhage is by far the most experienced coach at Euro 2025, having been head coach of the United States and Sweden for five years each, Brazil for four years and now hosts Switzerland. She guided the Americans to gold at both the 2008 and 2012 Olympics. Wilkinson, who is coaching Wales in their major tournament debut, Elisabet Gunnarsdottir (Belgium), Nina Patalon (Poland), and Gemma Grainger (Norway) are the four women making their managerial debuts in a major senior tournament. Women represented about 13 per cent of all coaches at last year's Paris Olympics, which was virtually unchanged from the 2020 Games in Tokyo. Women's basketball led the way with 50 per cent, followed by football (33 per cent) and hockey (16 per cent). Among the worst were athletics at 13 per cent, women's rugby sevens (8 per cent) and women's golf (6 per cent).
New York Times
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Times
Bank it like Beckham: Why female footballers are building media companies
For years, male soccer stars used their star power to build empires beyond the pitch, diving into media and content ventures. Think of David Beckham and his Studio 99, Lionel Messi's 525 Rosario, Cristiano Ronaldo's UR-Marv and his YouTube Channel, UR Cristiano. These media ventures not only helped them produce content to elevate their brand and stay in the spotlight but also profit from amplifying others' content. Advertisement However, they're no longer the only game in town. Now, female soccer stars are stepping up, launching their own media ventures, riding the wave of women's sports momentum to seize the mic, shape the narrative and open doors for the next generation. Take England's Ella Toone. Manchester United's all-time leading scorer, Toone, is entering the world of storytelling with the launch of a new creative agency designed to help women athletes build and own their brands. Teaming up with her manager, James Marshall, the England star has unveiled Amicizia Studios, a content studio aimed at empowering female soccer players, this week. 'Ella has done so well on the pitch, now is the time,' Marshall said in a phone conversation. 'She's got her own academy, podcast and YouTube channel. Launching a production agency felt like the natural next step.' The goal of Amicizia, which means 'friendship' in Italian, Marshall said, is to work directly with brands and agencies, tell the right stories and take control of the narrative. Marshall and Toone are not reinventing the wheel. They are following a blueprint laid out by some of the biggest names in top U.S. leagues who managed to turn visibility into influence. 'I am obsessed with the U.S. and the business side of things, like what Kevin Durant and Rich Kleiman or LeBron James and Maverick Carter are doing,' Marshall said. 'I can see that there is a gap in the market here in the U.K. So why not be the first?' With more than half of Women's Super League (WSL) players currently lacking sponsorship deals, Toone and Marshall want to seize this market opportunity. Toone's net worth is unclear, partly due to the lack of salary information in women's football. According to a BBC report, the average annual salary in the Women's Super League is £47,000. However, she is reportedly earning over six figures playing for Manchester United. England's No. 10 also has sponsorship deals with Nike, Charlotte Tilbury, Specsavers, Impulse and Hilton. As Toone gears up to help the Lionesses defend their European crown in Switzerland this month, Marshall explained that Amicizia will serve dual roles: a content engine for Toone herself and a bridge connecting other female footballers to brand deals, marketing campaigns and production opportunities. Advertisement As Marshall put it, the U.S. changed the game for athletes a long time ago, not only led by the NBA stars he mentioned. A handful of female soccer and basketball players have already capitalized on their success, becoming media entrepreneurs with successful businesses that create opportunities for others as well. Midge Purce is a prime example. The 29-year-old soccer star did not just cash her checks throughout her successful professional career; she built a media venture with them. After winning the NWSL Championship with Gotham FC in 2024, Purce tore her ACL at the very beginning of the 2024 season, ruling her out for the remainder of the season and the 2024 Paris Olympics. However, the Harvard graduate co-created and executive produced 'The Offseason,' a reality show on X about NWSL players in their off-season grind, alongside prolific women's sports investor Alexis Ohanian, produced by Box to Box Films (think 'Drive to Survive' and 'Break Point') and 32 Flavors (the production company for 'Vanderpump Rules' and 'The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills'). And Purce didn't just pitch the idea; she also runs it. 'I'm on with the editors, and I'm storyboarding, and I'm making sure that the way that my friends are represented is not only accurate, but it helps grow the sport. And it does it in a way that is right for women's sports and for my friends,' she told Sports Illustrated. The show's first episode drew over 2.5 million views within its first 24 hours, according to NWSL, and according to Ohanian, a second season is on the horizon. Purce isn't the only soccer star investing in content. Two-time World Cup champion Megan Rapinoe and her WNBA legend partner, Sue Bird, co-founded Touch More in 2022, a production company and creative hub dedicated to centering female athlete storytelling, with a mission to 'tear down old scripts, open doors and inspire others to do the same,' according to their website. Advertisement They also teamed up with Togethxr, a lifestyle media brand they co-founded with other elite athletes, including Rapinoe's teammate Alex Morgan, Chloe Kim and Simone Manuel, to help close the visibility gap in women's sports. Awareness is only part of the story; it's also turning out to be good business. In 2024 alone, Togethxr's 'Everyone Watches Women's Sports' merchandise line generated an impressive $6 million in revenue. The merchandise became such a massive hit among women's soccer fans that it led the company to launch a special edition for the Women's Euro 2025. That kind of commercial success underscores a growing truth in women's sports: Visibility isn't just about empowerment, it's about profits. And in a landscape where many female athletes are still fighting for financial stability, especially in Europe, every revenue stream counts. 'In the U.S., sports are deeply tied to entertainment,' said Christina Taylor, the founder and CEO of The Purpose Agency, which works with female footballers like Mary Earps and Siobhan Wilson. 'That culture encourages athletes to show personality and build their own brands. American athletes are expected to be entertainers, not just competitors and the system supports that. 'In Europe, it's a different story. Football is king, and traditionally it's been all about the team.' Taylor's agency focuses on growing athletes' social media followings and monetizing their content. 'For female players, though, the equation shifts. They don't earn anywhere near what the men do,' she explains. Added Taylor: 'That's not enough to retire on. So, building a brand and pursuing commercial ventures isn't just a nice-to-have; it's a financial necessity. That's why you're seeing more women in Europe, especially in the UK, leaning into content, sponsorships, and business. It's about securing their future beyond football.' Advertisement Despite the hype surrounding women's sports, considerable work remains to be done on the commercial side, and Europe lags behind the U.S. in terms of marketing opportunities for female players. However, as Marshall and Taylor said, expect more female-led production companies, cross-industry partnerships, and new media formats on the other side of the Atlantic. With Toone's Amicizia, what we're witnessing is the early stages of a power shift, similar to what is happening on the pitch. While they are setting the stage, the next wave of athlete-driven media will come in stronger, louder and increasingly more lucrative for female football players. 'I think women's sport is in a really powerful place where it's starting to be respected more in conversations and deservedly so,' Earps said. 'Therefore, doors are opening. Obviously, we're all striving towards equal opportunity. 'I think the more diversity that you have in this conversation, the more women you have in this conversation who can speak from their experiences and have valid points of view and perspectives, the better the outcome.'
New York Times
02-07-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Women's Euro 2025: How to watch the first round of group stage matches
The premier continental tournament in women's soccer is underway, and its field is decidedly open. England is the defending Euros champion after its unforgettable 2022 triumph. Spain seeks an international treble after winning both the World Cup and the Nations League. Germany pursues its ninth trophy in 14 installments of this event. Here's how to follow the first leg of the group staging, which begins Wednesday in Thun, Switzerland. Advertisement The group stage commences with Finland and Iceland. Finland has been a benign competitor since its 2005 semifinal stunner. Iceland employs Sveindís Jane Jónsdóttir, famous for her long throw-ins. Group A then continues with Switzerland and Norway, the two favorites to make it out. The Swiss have a budding star on the wing: 18-year-old Sydney Schertenleib. With Barcelona, she is already in the 95th percentile in shots and 97th percentile in take-ons. Belgium and Italy get Group B started on Thursday. Belgian captain Tessa Wullaert is the country's all-time leading scorer by a massive margin (92 to Janice Cayman's 48). Italian ascendant Emma Severini looks for her second international goal ahead of her 22nd birthday. Then, the group's headliner: Spain-Portugal pits border nations against one another, and the Spanish side likes its chances after consecutive trophy lifts in 2023 and 2024. Alexia Putellas, a two-time Ballon d'Or recipient, paces her country with end-to-end midfield prowess. She's back to full strength after an ACL tear took her out of the 2022 tournament. Group C debuts on Friday. Denmark captain Pernille Harder earned UEFA Women's Player of the Year honors in 2018 and 2020, becoming the first player to take that award home multiple times. The Bayern Munich bulwark will go against dark horse Sweden, fronted by Chelsea winger Johanna Rytting Kaneryd. Then comes the historical juggernaut. Germany has won this tournament eight times in 13 total stagings, and the DFB women were runners-up in 2022. Poland's aspirations are modest (this is its first time qualifying for Euros), but Ewa Pajor's exhilarating game is anything but. The 28-year-old Barcelona striker is a nifty finisher and should make for an awesome watch. Advertisement Saturday closes out the first leg of group play. Group D has Wales making its tourney debut versus Lineth Beerensteyn, Jill Roord and the attacking Dutch outfit. The Netherlands are captained by Sherida Spitse, who has repped her country internationally since 2006 (!). The first round of group matches closes with another pair of neighboring rivals. Elite French defender Selma Bacha battles back from ankle surgery; she and her teammates will try to slow down the title holders. England manager Sarina Wiegman guided her Lionesses to the 2023 World Cup final. She has 10 players with at least 50 caps on her roster. Chelsea's Lucy Bronze is the most experienced, with 134 appearances since her 2013 debut. Women's Euro 2025 team guides: Everything you need to know about the 16 sides Charlotte Harpur and Michael Cox have breakdowns on every member of the formidable English roster Laia Cervelló Herrero on the confident World Cup winners from 2023 Megan Feringa previews the host nation's long-shot hopes Nick Miller ranks all 16 home kits Streaming links in this article are provided by partners of The Athletic. Restrictions may apply. The Athletic maintains full editorial independence. Partners have no control over or input into the reporting or editing process and do not review stories before publication. (Photo of Lucy Bronze: Mike Hewitt / Getty Images)
Al Arabiya
01-07-2025
- Sport
- Al Arabiya
Sundhage Anticipates 'Fantastic Future' for Women's Soccer in Switzerland on Eve of Euro 2025
Switzerland coach Pia Sundhage says the country has a fantastic future in women's soccer thanks to several young players hoping to make their mark at the European Championship. The 18-year-old Barcelona forward Sydney Schertenleib is arguably the best known, but there are others as well. Fellow forward Iman Beney was signed by Manchester City last month, and midfielder Noemi Ivelj's performances for Zurich Grasshoppers prompted Eintracht Frankfurt to sign her for the Bundesliga. Both players are only 18. Forward Leila Wandeler, 19, was a surprise call-up by Sundhage after making her breakthrough at Lyon last season. 'Switzerland has a fantastic future,' Sundhage said Tuesday on the eve of the team's Euro 2025 opener against Norway. 'If you look at those players…the future is really great. Now we're just in the mix, so the younger players probably lean a little bit to the experienced players. Both the young players and the most experienced players are important to make that winning mix sauce.' Swedish coach Sundhage, now 65, can herself draw on a wealth of experience to get the best from both sets of players as Switzerland looks for just its second tournament win. Switzerland defeated Iceland 2–1 at Euro 2017 and otherwise drew two games and lost three in its previous appearances. Asked why, after successful stints in charge of the US and Sweden, she decided to take charge of a smaller team when she took the Switzerland job last year, Sundhage replied it was because of the thrill of preparing the team for Euro 2025. 'Playing the European Championship is something special,' she said. 'It's so much more than a football game. Because everything we've done and the federation have done up to now, using fantastic role models, it's a part of the women's football. And we haven't even played a game yet.'
Washington Post
01-07-2025
- Sport
- Washington Post
Sundhage anticipates 'fantastic future' for women's soccer in Switzerland on eve of Euro 2025
BASEL, Switzerland — Switzerland coach Pia Sundhage says the country has a 'fantastic future' in women's soccer thanks to several young players hoping to make their mark at the European Championship. The 18-year-old Barcelona forward Sydney Schertenleib is arguably the best known, but there are others as well. Fellow forward Iman Beney was signed by Manchester City last month, and midfielder Noemi Ivelj's performances for Zurich Grasshoppers prompted Eintracht Frankfurt to sign her for the Bundesliga. Both players are only 18.
