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Straits Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Straits Times
As women's football grows in Europe, Japan aims to follow suit
Japan's Kiko Seike celebrates scoring their first goal against Brazil on June 2. PHOTO: REUTERS As women's football grows in Europe, Japan aims to follow suit TOKYO – In a sign of its growing global status, women's football at the next Summer Olympics will feature more participating teams than the men's competition. The number of teams will expand from 12 to 16 at Los Angeles 2028, marking the first time in Olympic history that women will have a bigger representation in the global sport. In Europe, some clubs draw more spectators to women's games than to men's, bringing in huge amounts of money, in contrast to Japan's still-struggling WE League that kicked off in 2021. Pronounced 'we', the first two letters are an acronym for 'women's empowerment'. The burgeoning popularity of the women's game in Europe was spectacularly illustrated during the Uefa Women's Champions League in March 2022. A total of 91,553 spectators watched a game when Barcelona hosted Real Madrid in an all-Spanish clash at Camp Nou, the home of their world-famous men's team. The world record for women's football was rewritten the following month, to 91,648 as Camp Nou saw Barcelona and Germany's Wolfsburg. The Barcelona women's team turned professional in 2015 and built their own natural turf training base. The team has attracted some 13 million followers across all platforms through their fan-oriented social networking strategy, which features female players in equal proportions in ads with male Barcelona players. The women's team is expected to earn about €23 million (S$33.8 million) this season, a level close to a first-division club in the men's J-League in Japan. Women's football was once regarded as a corporate social responsibility project for men's clubs, but Barcelona's bold investments in women's players, facilities and staff have led to brisk revenue from sponsorships, tickets and jersey sales. 'Women's football goes far beyond the framework of CSR and has great potential in business,' said Judit Farre, head of Barcelona women's business operations. 'There are still a lot of things we should be doing.' 'We are always open to finding new markets,' Farre added, while noting she was interested in doing business in Japan. Last September in Japan, J-League Chairman Yoshikazu Nonomura began double duties as head of the WE League. The WE League remained in the black in the fiscal year to March 2024, but the women's league is heavily dependent on a 425-million-yen subsidy from the Japan Football Association. Nonomura is trying to acquire sponsors in cooperation with the J-League, with the aim of stabilizing the financial base. In its third season of 2023-24, the WE League had an average attendance of 1,723 per game, far less than its founding goal of 5,000. But the WE League has begun collaborating with the J-League and the JFA in terms of attendance. Last December, the final of the WE League Cup drew a record crowd of 21,524 as a result of coordinated promotional efforts. KYODO NEWS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
The Independent
05-05-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
Brighton & Hove Albion vs Arsenal LIVE: Women's Super League latest score, goals and updates from fixture
The new Women's Super League marks the start of a new era for reigning champions Chelsea, with long-serving boss Emma Hayes having departed in summer to start a new adventure with the USA Women's team. Last year they just about did enough to claim the title on goal difference ahead of Manchester City, while Arsenal will again hope to make it a three-horse race for the WSL title. Meanwhile Liverpool, Manchester United and Tottenham will hope to progress after further rebuilding this summer. Crystal Palace were promoted to replace Bristol City in the top flight, while on a wider note, the league is now under the management and operation of a new organisation set up to lead women's football towards further growth and progression, with Nikki Doucet overseeing both the WSL and Championship in a new phase for the game. Follow the live action below as Brighton & Hove Albion face Arsenal today in the WSL: Brighton & Hove Albion vs Arsenal Attempt saved. Alessia Russo (Arsenal Women) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Mariona Caldentey. 5 May 2025 17:12 Brighton & Hove Albion vs Arsenal Goal! Brighton and Hove Albion Women 4, Arsenal Women 1. Kiko Seike (Brighton and Hove Albion Women) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the top right corner. Assisted by Marisa Olislagers following a fast break. 5 May 2025 17:11 Brighton & Hove Albion vs Arsenal Goal! Brighton and Hove Albion Women 3, Arsenal Women 1. Jelena Cankovic (Brighton and Hove Albion Women) right footed shot from the right side of the six yard box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Marit Auée with a headed pass. 5 May 2025 17:09 Brighton & Hove Albion vs Arsenal Attempt missed. Nikita Parris (Brighton and Hove Albion Women) right footed shot from outside the box. 5 May 2025 17:08 Brighton & Hove Albion vs Arsenal Attempt blocked. Kim Little (Arsenal Women) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Mariona Caldentey. 5 May 2025 17:07 Brighton & Hove Albion vs Arsenal Kim Little (Arsenal Women) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 5 May 2025 17:06 Brighton & Hove Albion vs Arsenal Attempt blocked. Kiko Seike (Brighton and Hove Albion Women) right footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked. 5 May 2025 17:04 Brighton & Hove Albion vs Arsenal Second Half begins Brighton and Hove Albion Women 2, Arsenal Women 1. 5 May 2025 17:02 Brighton & Hove Albion vs Arsenal Substitution, Brighton and Hove Albion Women. Nadine Noordam replaces Fran Kirby. 5 May 2025 17:02 5 May 2025 16:47
