By Paul Nicholson
January 7 – The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) in the US has appointed Jeff Plush as its new Commissioner. Plush has a background in soccer having been managing director of Colorado Rapids in the MLS from 2006 to 2011 and a board director of English Premier League club Arsenal with specific overview of the global media business.
The NWSL is currently preparing for its third season which kicks off in April. Plush will bring extensive commercial expertise to the league in what is now a key phase of its development.
Plush served on the Board of Governors of Major League Soccer for six years, and its marketing partner Soccer United Marketing. During his time with the MLS he was involved in the league’s rapid growth from 12 clubs (under just six ownership groups) to 19 clubs with 17 owners and 13 purpose-built stadiums.
Most recently Plush was managing partner of Helium Sports Group which advises clients on increasing commercial revenue and brand extension. He will move from Colorado Rapids to Chicago where the NWSL is headquartered.
“I am truly excited to build on the great work that has already been accomplished in the last two years… With the continued dedication of our owners, players, coaches and staffs along with the support of the Canadian, Mexican and U.S. Federations, we will continue to grow this amazing product into a sustainable and vibrant league.”
The NWSL is supported by the United States Soccer Federation, Canadian Soccer Association and Federation of Mexican Football who distribute national team players amongst the nine clubs in the league and pay their salaries, which helps even the competitiveness of the league and the clubs’ financial burdens as they establish themselves.
The 2015 NWSL College Draft takes place January 16 with teams then preparing for
a 20-game season that kicks off in April and finishes end of August.
Unlike the the Men’s World Cup which requires leagues to finish or break to allow national teams to prepare, the NWSL will only take a two-week break during the group stages of the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Canada. It is expected that national team players could miss up to eight club games.
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