Another huge signing for the Class of 2024 NJ/NY Gotham FC squad. With this announcement and the signing of USWNT champion Crystal Dunn last week (just in time to drop the NYE ball in Times Square with her new teammates) it had me wondering, will there start to be a power vacuum in the NWSL? Will we start to see an imbalance in the league? Davidson and Dunn join an already star studded Gotham FC with the likes of Margaret (Midge) Purce, Lynn Williams, Kelly O'Hara and more, and coming off their 2023 NWSL championship, will this be a recipe for sustained, continued success at the top? In Gotham's case the success to date is new, with a complete 180 from their 2022 season where they finished dead last, only to come back a year later to win the league. And while they will lose Ali Krieger (to retirement) and Kristie Mewis (to a transfer to West Ham FC), I feel like this may be the beginnings of a Yankees or a Kansas City Chiefs. Which then begs the question - are we ok with there being a competitive imbalance at the pro level? When I was working in operations for youth sports clubs competitive balance was always a concern for us. We didn't want teams playing up to only get beat 15-0, and we worked hard to balance out divisions as much as we could. However, as the teams got in higher and higher levels it became less of a concern. Somes teams were just outright better and dominating, and they were rewarded for it in better recruiting and championships. And once you reach a paid level of competition, better teams get more sponsorship dollars, more fans, better players, which lead to higher payrolls, better facilities and the like. (If we need an example of how that works, look at the Carolina Panthers $8 tickets this season) So as a fan and one who wants to see the continued success of the NWSL and all teams, should we be trying to spread the players out more? Do we think a power vacuum will be formed? Or are all the players of a similar enough quality, that it's more the teamwork and coaching that leads to sustained success? Thoughts? #nwsl #gothamfc #womenssports #womenssoccer #competitivebalance #youthsports #justwomenssports #thegist
It’s official! 🔒 #GothamFC signs World Cup Champion Tierna Davidson through 2026. Welcome to NJ/NY, Tierna! Read more: https://lnkd.in/eh8QFBhZ
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9moAnd now, add Lavelle and Sonnet to that roster. I’d say a brilliant off-season recruitment wise. Now, next week’s draft. Is there any more 💥 involved? I’m unsure wrt a dynasty, but a “rising tide lifts all boats”. Now, can the front office sell 10K+ seats per game and can this on field success result in more commercial success?