The impact of women’s sports extends past just the players on the field
By Charles Hamaker
Seattle, WA – Prior to the OL Reign matchup against the San Diego Wave on May 29th, I had the opportunity to speak with Seattle City Council President Debora Juarez. Council President Juarez discussed the importance of women’s sports, having the OL Reign back in the city of Seattle, as well as the importance of these women in sports to future generations.
Council President Debora Juarez and Charles Hamaker pregame (Photo Melissa Levin)
The Reign pride themselves on being leaders in inclusivity on every level of their organization, from the front office to the roster to the fanbase. The team makes sure that everyone who wants to be involved with the club will be able to, and that they will be welcomed with open arms. I asked Council President Juarez about that inclusivity and how important it is.
“The Reign are like the Storm in the regard that representation matters. Every kind of representation is important, you can build a bigger fan base. But for me, more importantly with the Reign and the Storm, is women’s sports. We have all of these little girls and boys who are watching female athletes, world class athletes. The Reign are phenomenal, just look at Megan Rapinoe. Her work that she has put in not only for soccer, but for equal pay? It’s amazing. That’s what I think of when I think of the Reign and the Storm. Women’s sports go beyond the field; in the front office, and in the back office. You can see in ownership, the investment. It’s a long time coming,” Council President Juarez remarked.
Council President Juarez and Charles in the middle of their chat (Photo Melissa Levin)
The Reign began in Seattle as the “Seattle Reign FC,” in 2012, primarily playing in Memorial Stadium at Seattle Center from 2014-2018. A brief detour would take them to Cheney Stadium in Tacoma, when they were bought by the OL Groupe, changing their branding to the “OL Reign.” In December of 2021, the Reign held a press conference announcing their return to Seattle, where they now play home games at Lumen Field. I asked Council President Juarez just how important it is to have the Reign back home.
“The Reign are back where they belong, just like the Storm in Climate Pledge Arena. I was at the Storm game on Friday (May 27th), talking to all of the owners, and we were so emotional to be on a real basketball court, in a real arena. I said to myself, I don’t know the last time that women’s sports have been celebrated like that, and I want to see more of it. Seeing these young girls and boys recognizing that we are athletes just like men. It took title IX for us to have that equality... It’s beyond the field, beyond the court. It’s about women being able to use their bodies and not being sexualized, but actually being athletes, being a coach, be in the front office, do the scouting. It’s a whole industry.” Council President Juarez said.
Council President Juarez is honored pregame of Reign vs Wave, as a legend for her work in the community (Photo Melissa Levin)
To wrap things up, I asked Council President Juarez about the importance of having these female athletes around, not only for the present but also for the future generations. To continue to grow women’s sports, she said we must support these women and push this positive momentum forward.
“That’s like asking someone how important their right arm is, we could spend days on it. I think the bigger picture is this: people need to see that this city is committed to women’s sports. That we are going to contribute and invest in brick and mortar to keep our team here. When the Reign had to go to Tacoma, that was embarrassing. They’re in their own personal cars driving down there, parking in a lot with no security, no team bus. Do you think they would do that with a male sport? No. When people see the disparity, I don’t want to show them that so say shame on you, I want to show them that to say level up. Do right by us. Because we are women, and we are winners. If you have people on the field, there’s representation... you have women in the front office, women owners. We want bonding moments with our daughters to come here, who aspire to become soccer players. This is a beautiful byproduct of women not giving up, and our allies not giving up on us. It is bigger than just the player on the field now, it is so much bigger,” Council President Juarez said.
Within a minute of beginning my conversation with Council President Juarez, her passion and dedication to women’s sports became very clear. To have someone that feels so passionately about the continued support and growth of women’s sports is a great sign for the city of Seattle. The support of our Seattle Storm and OL Reign comes from all over, and both have positive momentum on their side. This summer will be filled with wins and memories of our Reign and Storm, and it’s exciting to know that someone like Council President Juarez will have her eyes on it all.
