Arena Football League executive hired to run women's league

• by Soccer America , Sep 26, 2011

[WPS] Women's Professional Soccer has hired Jennifer Pogorelec O'Sullivan, the former vice president of legal and labor affairs for the Arena Football League, as its new chief executive officer. She is the third top executive WPS has had in the last year.

Anne-Marie Eileraas stepped down after less than a year on the job as CEO. League founder Tanya Antonucci resigned as commissioner at the end of the 2010 season.

The WPS front office has been pared down since the league's launch in 2009. It has six teams, only two of which survive from Year 1. Of the six, the Boston Breakers are looking for a new majority owner, and magicJack and its owner, Dan Borislow, had numerous run-ins with Eilaraas.

But strong crowds around the league -- and for recent U.S. women's national team matches -- following the 2011 Women's World Cup give the league some optimism.

"WPS is comprised of the best female soccer players in the world and I am thrilled to have the opportunity to be affiliated with these extremely talented women," said O'Sullivan.  "I look forward to working with our Board of Governors and the WPS team to help build upon the League's successes of this past season and continue the growth of the League."