Hello NorCal soccer community. My name is Scott Kucirek and I and a few friends are on a mission to bring a Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS) team to Northern California for the 2009 season. Our journey started March 1, 2008, when after nearly a year of talking about how Northern California would be the ideal location for a professional women’s soccer team, I decided to dedicate my full time attention (i.e. not work at a paying job) to make this dream become a reality. It had been almost a decade since I started a company (ZipRealty) , so I knew what needed to be done. However, before I start any adventure, I check to make sure it passes the Edwin Land test:
“Don’t undertake a project unless it is manifestly important and nearly impossible.”
Well, with 7 teams already signed on for the 2009 season and just one year to kick-off, this project met the nearly impossible criterion. As for manifestly important, it goes without saying that establishing a team that will unite the entire female soccer community and provide positive role models for girls of all ages seemed extremely socially responsible. With the Land test passed and support from friends and family, the journey began.
Although our team got a late start, in the last 100 days we have made significant progress. We have reached an agreement with a stadium (subject for another post), put financial and investor documents together, enlisted a top notch law firm (ReedSmith) and top 20 PR firm (Allison&Partners), and have talked weekly with WPS league officials (who have been wonderful). In addition, we have garnered support from Marlene Bjornsurd (CEO of Bay Area Women’s Sports Initiative and former GM of the CyberRays) and Jerry Zanelli (commissioner of the Women’s Premier Soccer League and owner of the California Storm).
Right now we have one focus – put an ownership group together and submit a Letter of Intent with the WPS league in July to be accepted for the 2009 season. We have just started reaching out to people to assemble the ownership group and this is where we need your help. If you know anyone who is passionate about women’s soccer, has a strong business/sports background, has access to capital, and wants to be part of this incredible journey, send them our way. We are so close to making this dream a reality and know that just a little more effort will get us there. This blog is just part of the ongoing communication we will establish with the community to make sure everyone who wants to be part of this mission is included.
Until next time,
Scott
