Even David Beckham couldn’t breathe life into soccer in America, but that’s not going to stop Steve Nash from trying. The two-time NBA MVP is using his deep pockets in an attempt to put the Women’s Professional Soccer league on the map.
Nash and former Yahoo president Jeff Mallett will provide some startup money for the league, which hopes to begin operations in 2009 in eight American cities. An official announcement is expected Tuesday.
“I’m investing more blindly and on passion,” Nash told the St. Louis Business Journal. “I want to watch the games and go out and support [the league].”
Soccer is in Nash’s blood – his father used to play professionally in South Africa.
“Whether I see a return on my investment or not, I’m excited to give it a go and see what impact it can have on young girls in inspiring them to reach for the best,” the Phoenix Suns guard told the paper.
Might sound like a long shot, but everybody thought the guy was crazy when he bolted from Dallas for Phoenix. Minus the brutal post season disappointments year after year after year, that turned out all right for Nashty.
Links:
[NationalPost.com]: Nash to invest in U.S. women’s soccer league