Caleb Clarke, & Dr. Rachel Olsthoorn
Football (Soccer) is the most culturally influential sport across the world, reaching nearly every corner of the globe. This research aims to increase the growth of economics, performance, and fan involvement in Women’s Professional Football (WPF) in the United States of America. Currently, WPF is growing exponentially in other countries around the world such as Spain but this growth is not reflected in every country. Why has Men’s Professional Football (MPF), since the first Women’s World Cup in 1991, grown more than Women’s Professional Football and in what ways could we increase the growth of Women’s Professional Football? I analyzed peer-reviewed articles pertaining to three main categories that are considered the most essential in growth within football; economics, performance, and fan involvement. The research also included a cross-analysis of six countries selected based on the women’s and men’s national teams in their most recent World Cups and their country’s gross domestic product at that time. These countries included England, Spain, the Netherlands, Ecuador, South Africa, and Zambia. There was also a Qualtrics Survey submitted to social media platforms to better understand public opinion on WPF. By developing a plan to increase the growth of WPF within the United States, it could aid in the increase of women’s player wages, improve the quality of life, and inspire young women and girls to play professional football. With further research, this could positively impact not only the United States but countries around the world as well.