The Search for a Pro Model for Long Term Soccer Sustainability

Long term sustainability of women's pro soccer has been the source of contentious and interesting debates for over a decade now. The dialogue has been formalized in Europe with the President of Olympique Lyonnais, Jean-Michel Aulas, spearheading the European Club Association (ECA) Women's Football Committee Task Force, a newly formed group featuring representatives from leading clubs 1. FFC Turbine Potsdam (GER), Birkirkara FC (MLT), FC Twente (NED), Valencia CF Femenino (ESP), Brøndby IF (DEN), LSK Kvinner FK (NOR). The group will look to better understand how women's football clubs are organized and its development and promotion. [Full list of the 23 clubs here]

Meanwhile in North America the conversation continues with a recent article by Graham Parker that takes a look at the hope being breathed into the discussion thanks to the successful inaugural season of the NWSL's Portland Thorns FC. Parker asks the question if Thorns FC is the model of how women's professional soccer is organized, one "that regards the men's and women's teams as integral parts of the same organization" with "high-level soccer" as the mission. He speaks to owner Merritt Paulson who describes his MLS Timbers and NWSL Thorns as "one sporting club". And, espnW founder Laura Gentile who speaks to the "sense of a continuum" that is the "generations of women" athletes and fans that build on each other's progress. Thorns player Rachel Buehler recalls the emotions of stepping on to the pitch in the home debut to see a crowd of 16,479, including the raging supporters group the Riveters. [Click here for the article, posted on Al Jazeera America]

There are other examples around the world of the "One Sporting Club" model with integrated men's and women's sides. 

Olympique Lyonnais in France has achieved professional status and, according to Jenna Pel of NBC ProSoccerTalk, "could be the definitive club team of the present era". The squad features Swedish sensation Lotta Schelin, American Megan Rapinoe, and a majority of the French National Team players including French captain Wendie Renard, Louisa Necib and Camille Abily. [Have a read more about the unique club organization here.] 

The Australian W-League team the Brisbane Roar is making inroads to integration. The coaching staff are full time employees and the club financially and commerically acknowledges the team as an essential part of their brand, including it in cross-promotional activites. The Roar roster features several Australian National Team members including Clare Polkinghorne, Kim Carroll and Tameka Butt, as well as the league's biggest import to date, the 2013 UEFA Footballer of the Year and Germany goalkeeper Nadine Angerer.

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Olympique Lyonnais - the North Star?
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