For the first time in professional sports, a woman signed a multi-million dollar contract this year after joining an all-female league that will kick off next year. Santia Deck signed this lucrative deal and became the face of the WFLA (Women’s Football League Association). The self-described female league says its set to execute professional full-tackle football as no other organization has done before.
Deck will be playing for an elite women’s full-tackle football team, the LA Fames, and her contribution to the sports is expected to make women sports more popular in the world. The league will rival the Women’s Football Alliance, the US Women’s Football League, and the WNFC (Women’s National Football Conference).
According to a press release earlier last month, no female footballer has ever landed such a deal. Fittingly, the world has never witnessed a self-made female athletic brand like Deck. Santia is popularly known on the internet as the “Queen of Abs,” following her successful career as a rugby player and track star.
Santia managed to make a name for her in the fitness and social circles, and she’s cashing big on that brand today. Before being selected to join the Los Angeles Franchise of the WFLA, she dominated in the flag football circuit, earning her massive social media following. She also became a celebrity fitness trainer, publishing several fitness DVDs and a book.
Just like the Betway Insider strives to support sports, the WFLA aims to become the premier organization for women’s football. As such, you can keep checking the Betway insider blog for more developing stories in the league. The WFLA is backed by the SHE Beverage Inc, known for going against established corporations like Budweiser.
In an equally daring move, the company is offering multi-million dollar deals on female footballers, with Santia Deck deemed as the first athlete who’s worth the sum. The league confirmed that Santia’s contract remains the highest payout to date, though the actual figure wasn’t revealed. They are also thrilled to have her on board.
In a statement, Deck was quick to acknowledge that her journey has been met with many ups and downs. Fortunately, she rose above them all to become the highest-paid footballer, proving that God always has a purpose for everything.
The WFLA held its first draft in August 2019 at Las Vegas, touting for two conferences with 32 teams competing. However, the league is expected to show what they have to offer in their debut season set to kick off in 2024. Fortunately, fans will get a taste of the action in their exhibition tour at the beginning of May 2024.
According to the WFLA, the teams in the league will include the Nashville Honey Bees, Miami Jewels, New Orleans Melody, Atlanta Amazons, Boston Gypsies, Washington Widows, New York Stars and Chicago Breeze. Other teams like the Baltimore Belles, Philadelphia Assassins, Cleveland Captains, Minnesota Shield, Dallas Diamondbacks, Arkansas Mockingbirds, Kansas City Red Feathers, and the LA Fames will also be featured, to mention a few.
A Little about the WFLA
Historically speaking, women in sports have endured lower wages and lesser opportunities compared to their male counterparts despite their talent. That’s why the WFLA is collaborating with SHE to pay attention to developing women football while ensuring that all-female athletics earn wages that are consistent with their male counterparts in professional leagues. Their commitment is towards helping female athletes (WFLA players) get to where they deserve.
According to the League’s official sponsor, SHE, Women deserve better opportunities than they have today. The company is dedicated to ensuring that women get the best, so they collaborated with the WFLA to create a league for that. Even better, the WFLA plans to build, partner or buy their stadiums all over the U.S for the women teams to train and hold matches.
Following the partnership between the two brands, each WFLA stadium will host a suite with SHE’s Craft Beer, SHE Alkaline & Electrolyte Sip Water, and Shelby Rose Wine. Additionally, a high octane sports drink will be available. More importantly, there will be a SHE/WFLA sports shop to merchandise for the fans to buy favorite jerseys and other memorabilia.
The WFLA is continuing with their recruitment through their football Jamborees and scouting combines across the US. They had their first draft last year at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, with ten teams managing to draft some of the most exciting female footballers. As such, Santa Deck is just the tip of the iceberg, as the rates for female footballers are set to go high, once the league starts.
When will the Season Begin
The WFLA is set to fully launch by the end of 2024, with its first official season scheduled for May 2024. The season will start with an exhibition schedule followed by a tour, with gameplay starting with Wednesday Night Football and Women Crush Wednesday on 6th May.
With the WFLA games consisting of 20 minutes halftimes, the league will be able to offer the total fan experience with entertainment during every break. According to the association, the fan experience will not only help to attract more fans to watch the games but also help to generate revenue in different ways. Nonetheless, the league intends to make money through concessions, teams, merchandise & seat sales, advertising, sponsorships, and more. However, a percentage of the revenue earned will go to the team owners.
Bottom Line
While Santia is well worth the money, she represents thousands of sportswomen in the globe who are barely recognized for their sporting talent. Fortunately, SHE and the WFLA intend to change that for American female football players, using Santia to send a strong message to the world about what they’re all about.
Santia goes down in history books as the first female athlete to win a multi-million dollar contract at the WFLA. Deck started as an athlete in college, and she has grown to bounds to date, even launching her celebrity fitness brand.