Women’s World Cup, July 20-Aug 20 in Australia & New Zealand on FOX

Here’s a quick rundown on the Tournament

It’s a top heavy tournament, with 4 teams that can win the whole thing. The best player in the tournament is Sam Kerr (Australia), Spain has 2 of the best top 5 players and the US has the best team and depth. While upsets may happen, expect some major blowouts early on and a final four made up of the top 4 teams.

If you are interested in getting a basic, light hearted, rundown of the tournament I suggest tuning into After the Whistle Podcast with Brendan Hunt (Coach Beard on Ted Lasso) & Rebecca Lowe (NBC PL Studio Host).

Will you watch?

YES? NO? Maybe a quick check in here or there?

That is a question many people are eager to answer. It’s no question that the women’s game continues to grow. For the first time ever 1B people world wide watched at least 1 min via any devise of the Women’s tournament in 2019. And the 2023 tournament has moved to 32 teams, up from 24 in 2019.

What may be working against this years tournament is the controversy surrounding the USWNT the last several years.

Politics and Activism

Do a search on reasons why the USWNT is controversial, and you have no further to go than today’s political divide. Liberal news media reports one thing, conservative another. ESPN pushes one narrative, Outkick the Coverage another.

• The USWNT started taking a knee during the National Anthem, basically along with Colin Kaepernick, starting in 2016 and as recently as 2021 in Japan.

• Did they turn their backs on veterans during the national anthem? Afterwards, they said no. But they seem to have lost benefit of doubt.

• Megan Rapinoe is on record as saying biological men should be allowed to play Women’s sports. Megyn Kelly, Martina Navratilova and Riley Gaines represent many people’s viewpoint, along with the majority of sports fans.

Suing for “equal pay”

This isn’t just a USA thing - England, Australia and other federations are pushing for equal pay for women, and threatening to strike if more is not done.

It’s a complicated issue. I would boil it down to the definition of Equal Pay. Is equal pay getting the same dollar amount as the men? or The women getting the same % of the revenue as the men’s % of revenue? Regardless of where you stand on that question, Men’s soccer brings in significantly more money, and is watched by more people.

This issue is not new. Do you watch the WNBA? That league is subsidized by the NBA. It would not exist without it. Should the WNBA players have equal pay?I won’t answer that question for you.

Bill Bur has an opinion. So do others.

• Jason Whitlock was very direct in his opinion on this

• Will Cain laid out the situation pretty clearly

Are they likable?

Carli Lloyd, considered one of the top US players of all time, said in March of 2022 she “hated” the culture of the team. She sighted selfishness as one of the things she didn’t like.

They took criticism in 2019 when they played a far inferior opponent, won 13-0, and were criticized for their lack of sportsmanship.

The social issues seem to dominate their narrative, and that is a turn off. Here is an example: I will not give the publication any attention by naming it or linking to it, but this is a real headline this week - USWNT most diverse yet in race, ethnicity, and sexual orientation. Of all the things to focus on the week of the women’s biggest tournament……

When you think of the Green Bay Packers or Kansas City Chiefs what feelings come to mind? Skin color? Sexual orientation? Do politics come to mind?

When I say USWNT, what comes to mind? It seems the answers are about off the field, not on it.

So, will you watch?

I fall in the category of Maybe/Not Live. Probably pay attention to scores, check in on highlights and I do hope Rose Lavelle (former Wisconsin Badger) has a great tournament again. Schedule TV viewing around the matches, no.