Background
In 2021, the world learned that National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) players received such low levels of compensation that many could neither afford basic living expenses nor the additional costs associated with critical mental health services.
While these professional athletes are among the top professional soccer players globally, the vast majority do not earn a living wage. This fact, combined with the systemic abuses which women’s soccer players – past and present – have been exposed, has significant and long-lasting impacts on players’ mental health.
SupportThePlayers.NET was created as an emergency fund by the National Women’s Soccer League Players Association to meet the needs of current and former women’s professional soccer players who are experiencing financial hardships.
Catalyst
Catalyst Campaigns developed the initial concept, branding, and launch strategy for SupportThePlayers.NET, and led the logo design and web development for the fund. From concept to finish the campaign was created and launched in mere months in the interest of getting funds into players’ pockets as quickly as possible!
Outcome
SupportThePlayers.NET received significant press, raised initial seed funding, and drew positive opinion pieces during its launch. The fund highlighted the efforts of the NWSL Players Association efforts to raise wages and benefits during their first collective bargiaing agreement negotiations and gave supporters a way to make a positive impact on the immediate needs of players dealing with financial hardships.
“The NWSLPA’s NET is a start. But after the NWSL’s own oversight caused so much harm to so many players across so many teams, perhaps the league itself should be the one footing the bill.” – Insider
