When Allocation occurs during the week of Sept. 15, Women's Professional Soccer will disperse three members of the U.S. Women’s National Team (WNT) / U.S. WNT Player Pool to each of its teams.  What is involved in the Allocation process?  We’ve got the answers.

Q.        What factors will determine which team a player is assigned to?

A.         The U.S. WNT Players / U.S. WNT Player Pool have submitted their WPS market preferences to the League and likewise, the WPS Teams will submit their Player preferences to the League following the completion of the Olympics.  During the week of Sept. 15, the WPS Owners will convene to review the Players and Teams’ preferences and will then allocate the Players to the Teams.  In dispersing the Players to the Teams, the Owners will consider the Players’ preferences and connections to each market, the Teams’ desires, benefits to the League’s overall marketing plan and achieving competitive balance on the field.  Commissioner Antonucci will oversee the entire process.

Q:        Which team will have the first selection in Allocation?  In what order will the teams make their Allocation selections?

A:         There is no team order for Allocation selections, so no team owns the first pick.  Our technical committee will deliver an allocation proposal to the Owners, which the Owners will discuss and approve in a closed door meeting and send to the Commissioner for final approval.

Q:        Will all players on the Olympic roster be allocated?

A:         Being a member of the U.S. Olympic roster does not guarantee that a player will be allocated.  In addition, no player with collegiate eligibility remaining will be allocated.

Q:        Does a player have to be on the Olympic roster to be allocated?

A:         No, members of the U.S. WNT Player Pool are eligible to be allocated.

Q:        Can an injured player be allocated?

A:         Yes, injured players can be allocated.  Injured players will assist their WPS franchise with marketing and community initiatives off the field and will join the team on the field as soon as they are healthy.

Q:        Will National Team players be allocated to Philadelphia?  When Philadelphia enters the League in 2010, will any National Team players be allocated to its roster?  How will Philadelphia’s roster be composed?

A:         As Philadelphia is slated to join the League in 2010, no National Team players will be allocated to Philadelphia this September.  Right now the League is focused on filling the rosters for the teams who will be competing in the 2009 inaugural season.  In due time, processes will be designed for 2010 teams such as Philadelphia to compose their rosters.  As part of these processes, we will give consideration to dispersing players to Philadelphia who are interested in playing in Philadelphia or who have a past WUSA Charge or collegiate connection with the city.

Q:        What if additional teams are brought into the League for 2009?

A:         If an additional team(s) join the League for the 2009 season prior to allocation, the team(s) will take part in the allocation process and will have three U.S. WNT Players / Pool Players dispersed to their team(s).

Q.        What additional markets is WPS exploring for 2009?

A.         For 2009, WPS is most actively in discussions with potential investor groups in San Diego, CA and the Bay Area, CA.

Q:        Do the allocated players have any obligations to the League prior to launch?

A:         The Players Association has signed a Marketing Services Agreement with WPS which allows members of the U.S. WNT / U.S. WNT Player Pool to appear at community events and media functions, as well as to participate in photo and video shoots on behalf of the League and teams now through next February.  Multiple WPS-related appearances – including charity/community events, media functions, and promotional clinics – by members of the U.S. WNT are slated for later this year and early next and will be announced by the League and individual teams as details are confirmed.

Q:        How can fans follow the allocation process?

A:         For fans, following the Allocation process begins with following the Olympics, which serve as a tremendous showcase for future WPS stars. Prior to the Olympics we will debut a social networking platform that allows fans everywhere to engage in and drive Allocation buzz.  Following the Olympics we’ll integrate this platform into the actual Allocation event in September, giving fans a singular destination for real time Allocation coverage, results and analysis.

Q:        Will allocation be televised?

A:         The League is in the process of determining whether allocation will be televised and will make an announcement regarding potential television coverage in the near future.