As the summer comes to a close, we’re left to wonder about the highlights of the season were.
Two events easily come to mind: the Golden State Warriors becoming NBA Champions in June and the U.S. Women’s National soccer team winning the Women’s World Cup in July.
After years of being in the playoffs and blowing it, the Golden State Warriors, based out of Oakland, California, finally pulled together to bring home the trophy. The NBA Champions put the focus back on the Bay Area as a hub of professional sporting by triumphing over the Cleveland Cavaliers in a 4-2 series win. Without the good tidings of the San Francisco Giants and the San Francisco 49ers, we had been feeling a little neglected. Luckily, everyone rallied around the Warriors like we did and proved, yet again, that the Bay Area is the place to be.
Stephen Curry was named the regular season Most Valuable Player and Andre Iguodala was named the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player, yet again proving that Golden State has what it takes to be a lasting team of influence in the NBA, even after its 4-decade championship drought.
The sporting excitement continued into July. As a certified Women’s Owned Business, we love to see girl power take control of the nation, and the U.S. Women’s National Team’s epic 5-2 victory over defending champion Japan in the finals is the summer’s best example. The defeat of Japan was made even sweeter by the fact that the USWNT hadn’t won the tournament since 1999, the unforgettable year of Mia Hamm and Brandi Chastain.
The Women’s World Cup only plays every four years. This game was especially important as the last World Cup for many of the team’s most cherished and important players, including soccer superstar Abby Wambach and captain Christie Rampone. This year’s match garnered over 26.7 million viewers, making it the most watched single-network soccer broadcast in the U.S.’ history, according to Fox.
The 2011 World Cup final pegged the U.S. against Japan as well, and ended in a disappointing shootout defeat of the Americans. After another unfortunate loss by the U.S. Men’s National Team team last summer, the Women’s team was further highlighted as a path to redemption for US soccer fans throughout the nation. Unsurprisingly, both of these losses were highlighted thematically in the advertising associated with the Women’s World Cup, as Fox Sports released teaser clips and advertisements featuring motifs of “it’s not over” and “American woman.”
While the summer may soon be coming to an end, we can look back and realize two things: that the summer was a good time for sports and that the San Francisco Bay Area is a good place to be.
