By Scott French, Senior Editor in Arlington, Va.
The biggest question concerning the U.S. team in its Women's World Cup title defense quest is how it will be impacted by the demise of the WUSA. There is optimism among players that additional sponsorship can be found to fund a 2004 season and beyond. League founder John Hendricks said Monday that six sponsors willing to commit $2.5 million annually would save the enterprise.
Julie Foudy, the U.S. captain, said a committee featuring Hendricks, former tennis star/women's sports advovate Billie Jean King and ''business-plan people'' has been formed to seek additional investment.
''People are coming out of the woodwork,'' Foudy said Thursday. ''I mean, we are getting so many calls, things are popping, it's like corporate sponsors saying, 'How much is the deficit? Is that it? That's all it was?' …
''I'm very optimistic that it's not going to be a year, it's not even going to be a few months. We can get this thing rolling again quick.''