WUSA Professionals Lose $100 Million

The first women's soccer league in which every player was paid as a professional was the Women's United Soccer Association. Founded in 2000 following the popularity of the 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup, it began playing in 2001 with eight U.S. teams. The league spent a five-year, $40 million budget during its first season and suspended operations in 2003 after three seasons and cumulative losses of approximately $100 million.

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