MLS Commissioner Don Garber and Women’s United Soccer Association Chairman John S. Hendricks announced today that the two leagues have agreed to a comprehensive cooperation plan that provides for a coordination of marketing and promotion, scheduling, and stadia development. As a result of the agreement, MLS has opted not to file an application with U.S. Soccer to operate a Division I women’s professional outdoor soccer league in the United States. The cooperation plan combines MLS’ soccer business experience with the media power of WUSA to maximize the growth of the sport of soccer in America. In addition to mutually-beneficial cooperative programs, MLS and WUSA are in negotiations about operating expansion teams in certain markets important to both leagues. Additionally, WUSA’s cable industry investors will provide substantial commercial time inventory for the promotion of the games of both leagues, as well as promotion of game broadcasts on television. “Following our ongoing and constructive discussions with WUSA during the past several months, we are delighted to reach an agreement on a valuable plan to maximize both the continued growth and success of MLS as well as the successful launch and development of WUSA,” Garber said. “Our plan includes combined strategies and support for youth soccer programs and joint marketing efforts to promote both attendance and viewership for men’s and women’s professional soccer. We also are enthusiastic about our plans to address selected expansion markets in a collaborative fashion that could result in earlier launch dates for these teams due to the combination of our investment funds and operating resources.” “MLS has done an exceptional job in developing and operating the men’s top professional league in America and we look forward to benefiting from their five years of operational experience,” Hendricks said. “Both leagues are particularly excited about the potential of developing new soccer-specific stadia that can truly showcase the events of the two leagues. Our cooperation plan assures that good communications will exist at all levels to maximize cooperation in planning. We’ve set up a joint advisory council that will explore all opportunities for synergies between MLS and WUSA.” WUSA will launch in April 2001 in eight cities: Atlanta, Boston, New York, Orlando, Philadelphia, San Diego, San Francisco Bay Area and Washington D.C. WUSA investors include: Hendricks; Amos B. Hostetter, Jr., former Chairman and CEO, Continental Cablevision, Inc.; Comcast Corporation; Cox Enterprises; Cox Communications; and Time Warner Cable. Now in its fifth season, MLS has 12 teams: the Chicago Fire, Colorado Rapids, Columbus Crew, Dallas Burn, D.C. United, Kansas City Wizards, Los Angeles Galaxy, MetroStars, Miami Fusion, New England Revolution, San Jose Earthquakes and the Tampa Bay Mutiny.