Players to Take Over TV Booth
July 16, 2003 - Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA) News Release
ATLANTA -- (Wednesday, July 16, 2003) - The Women's United Soccer Association is giving viewers a unique opportunity to get inside an athlete's head while they compete on the field.
In-depth commentary will be taken to a new level when the game's participants step into the broadcast booth for the PAX Game of the Week pitting the San Diego Spirit against the New York Power on Saturday, July 26 at 4 pm ET.
Why does a player react in certain ways in a given situation? What were they feeling during pressure-packed moments? Would they do anything different the next day? These questions and more will be answered in the innovative format.
The game, which will be played on Wednesday, July 23, will feature Spirit midfielder Julie Foudy and Power midfielder Shannon Boxx handling the announcing duties, after squaring off at San Diego's Torero Stadium. Soccer fans may know the final score beforehand, but the broadcast will have a different feel as Foudy and Boxx provide insight on the match.
In addition to the commentary, the broadcast will air features about the teams and players that will provide WUSA fans an in-depth perspective of the league, including behind-the-scenes accounts and best-of compilations from the season.
For Foudy, commentary is nothing new as she drew rave reviews for her insights on the 1998 men's World Cup as a studio analyst for ESPN. She's also handled analyst duties for several college national title matches. But offering thoughts on a game she was involved in will be a new experience for the U.S. national team veteran.
"This will definitely be different, but I think Shannon (Boxx) and I will have a good time with it," Foudy said, adding it will be more enjoyable for her if the Spirit beat the Power. "I think this innovative format will be great for the fans, as it gives a first-hand perspective and true insight into a game. Showcasing the WUSA in this manner is showing the creativity of the WUSA and PAX TV."
Boxx will bring a unique perspective as the New York standout spent her first two seasons with San Diego. Fans will be able to find out how she applied that knowledge against her former teammates.
Produced by Amy Rosenfield, the two-hour telecast will be directed by Mike Roth. Feature producer is Deaton Bell. Foudy and Boxx will provide their commentary while viewing the post-produced game on Thursday, July 24 at a production facility in San Diego. WUSA executives will analyze the format as the league begins discussions as one possible format for its future television agreement.
Foudy and Boxx are two of several stars that make up the WUSA, including Mia Hamm, Brandi Chastain, Tiffeny Milbrett, Briana Scurry, Kristine Lilly and dozens of international stars. The eight WUSA teams are the Atlanta Beat, Boston Breakers, Carolina Courage, New York Power, Philadelphia Charge, San Diego Spirit, San Jose CyberRays and the Washington Freedom.
• Discuss this story on the Women's United Soccer Association message board...
Women's United Soccer Association Stories from July 16, 2003
- Beat Shuts out Charge 1-0, Pohlers Gets 2nd Game Winner in as Many Games - Atlanta Beat
- Players to Take Over TV Booth - WUSA
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
