The U.S. Soccer Women’s National Team will gain in popularity and may even benefit financially from its recent heartbreaking loss to Japan in the World Cup final match, according to John B. Langel, head of Ballard Spahr’s Labor and Employment Group. Mr. Langel has represented the team since 1998, a full year before its World Cup win, and has negotiated contracts on behalf of the team and its players. “I remember going to (then Ballard Chairman and current Comcast executive David L. Cohen) about it and he said, ‘It sounds like a fun client, go for it.’”
Mr. Langel pointed to recent Women’s Soccer Team appearances on such TV shows as Late Night with David Letterman, The Daily Show, Today and Good Morning America and the amount of interest they’ve generated. They have also allowed certain star players to cash in and strike lucrative marketing deals.