A fan showing his love for USWNT Goalkeeper Hope Solo. May soon be shown a restraining order.
There are conventional ways of measuring the increase in popularity in women’s soccer. TV ratings, attendance at games, and online visits to ESPN’s web page on the topic. However, one of the more intriguing ways might be through the number of marriage proposals that have been offered on Twitter, Facebook and in-the stadium through banners such as this gentleman to the left. The leading recipients of this specific type of “nuptial-interest” seem to be forward Alex Morgan and goalkeeper Hope Solo.
One gentleman from Texas has taken his adoration of Alex Morgan to lyrical levels and created a song for her that he posted to YouTube. On Twitter, numerous devoted fans of the team and particular players have taken to using the hashtags #marrymehope or #marrymealex. I also found #marrymeali for Ali Krieger, the defender for the USWNT 
that put in the penalty-kick winner, and #marrymeabby for star forward, Abby Wambach.
If you subscribe to the theory that all publicity is good publicity, then I think you would find this latest form of player adoration as a good thing for the player, the sport and the game, so long as it stays in check — or at least from 500 feet away. I believe that it’s this very type of adoration from fans that will result in the type of marketing success women’s soccer needs in this country. Passionate fans and devoted fans, and there are lots of them, will empower others to acknowledge that the players that they see on the field and in interviews are worthy of their attention as well. I’m not talking about the crazies that are truly considering a marriage proposal, but rather those that have become wrapped up in this moment, these players, and this team.
For it is that passion that truly defines what Hollywood calls “The It Factor”. Even if it starts with stalkers, it is that same appeal “to be like Mike” or in this gentleman’s case to “be with Hope” that leads major endorsers to sponsor players on things other than athletic goods. We may see the Nike ad today that celebrates the team. But we are mere weeks away from the days when Wheaties, Pert Plus, Vitamin Water and other companies start launching their TV campaigns from their soccer heroes from Germany.
That passion for the players is also good for the WPS. Attendance at games will likely be buoyed by the USWNT’s success in Germany. Club teams that are lucky enough to have some of those key players are likely to gain greater bursts in attendance and overall marketing surge. Obviously, if the team comes home from Germany with the World Cup trophy, the opportunity is far greater for mass attention and coverage of the sport and greater scrutiny and face-time for each of the leading players. Abby Wambach and Hope Solo have already proven themselves to be strong personalities with outstanding interview skills. It will be interesting to see who else from the USWNT enters into that same stratosphere of name recognition and media savvy in the days ahead.
A win and a key play in the World Cup final today could certainly define who enters into the conversation. After all, it was one decisive penalty in the World Cup Final in 1999 and her subsequent celebration that put her “Q” rating on a whole new playing field among sports figures in the U.S. Lots of answers will come clear today. Who will rise up for the U.S.A. today? And who will be a media darling and build their “Q” rating in the days to come? But one thing is clear. It all depends on a World Cup “W”.
Ratings, Viewers, and #marrymehope Marriage Proposals
A fan showing his love for USWNT Goalkeeper Hope Solo. May soon be shown a restraining order.
There are conventional ways of measuring the increase in popularity in women’s soccer. TV ratings, attendance at games, and online visits to ESPN’s web page on the topic. However, one of the more intriguing ways might be through the number of marriage proposals that have been offered on Twitter, Facebook and in-the stadium through banners such as this gentleman to the left. The leading recipients of this specific type of “nuptial-interest” seem to be forward Alex Morgan and goalkeeper Hope Solo.
One gentleman from Texas has taken his adoration of Alex Morgan to lyrical levels and created a song for her that he posted to YouTube. On Twitter, numerous devoted fans of the team and particular players have taken to using the hashtags #marrymehope or #marrymealex. I also found #marrymeali for Ali Krieger, the defender for the USWNT
that put in the penalty-kick winner, and #marrymeabby for star forward, Abby Wambach.
If you subscribe to the theory that all publicity is good publicity, then I think you would find this latest form of player adoration as a good thing for the player, the sport and the game, so long as it stays in check — or at least from 500 feet away. I believe that it’s this very type of adoration from fans that will result in the type of marketing success women’s soccer needs in this country. Passionate fans and devoted fans, and there are lots of them, will empower others to acknowledge that the players that they see on the field and in interviews are worthy of their attention as well. I’m not talking about the crazies that are truly considering a marriage proposal, but rather those that have become wrapped up in this moment, these players, and this team.
For it is that passion that truly defines what Hollywood calls “The It Factor”. Even if it starts with stalkers, it is that same appeal “to be like Mike” or in this gentleman’s case to “be with Hope” that leads major endorsers to sponsor players on things other than athletic goods. We may see the Nike ad today that celebrates the team. But we are mere weeks away from the days when Wheaties, Pert Plus, Vitamin Water and other companies start launching their TV campaigns from their soccer heroes from Germany.
A win and a key play in the World Cup final today could certainly define who enters into the conversation. After all, it was one decisive penalty in the World Cup Final in 1999 and her subsequent celebration that put her “Q” rating on a whole new playing field among sports figures in the U.S. Lots of answers will come clear today. Who will rise up for the U.S.A. today? And who will be a media darling and build their “Q” rating in the days to come? But one thing is clear. It all depends on a World Cup “W”.