Wilhelmina 7 - Good Idea or Just BS?
by Ryan Ballengee
on Oct 10, 2008 11:12 AM EDT
If you're a LPGA fan, I'm sure you've heard of the Wilhelmina 7 at this point. It's a group of 7 LPGA players that have banded together under the umbrella of representation by the Wilhelmina agency (clever enough) to give them collectively more sponsorship opportunities. The kicker is that they're going to use their beauty and golf ability to get these chances.
But, is it going to work? (You should click the jump.)
Eric Pinkela is a little behind the story, but wrote about the Wilhelmina 7 for a story covering the Longs Drugs event in the Bay area for the Mercury News out of San Jose.
And in it, he has a quote from Bob Aube, a Bay Area businessman who represents the self-named Wilhelmina 7.
Aube said women's golf is struggling to get anywhere near the attention and money that the PGA Tour gets. Aube points to women's tennis, where the players are compensated nearly equally to men, as the formula to follow. It's a ormula that includes emphasizing the looks and personalities of top stars like Serena and Venus Williams, and Maria Sharapova.
"The LPGA needs to emphasize something they have over the men," Aube said. "I think it could be attractiveness."
Unfortunately, though, Aube didn't realize that women's tennis got equal pay largely because of the political efforts of Billy Jean King. It didn't have much to do with Billie Jean's looks. (Sorry Billie Jean.)
Aside from that, though, the story talks about how the girls have become closer and have tried to promote each other's development as golfers. Obviously, Stacy P leads the group in golf accomplishments with 2 LPGA Tour wins. But, the team seems to be of the mind that if one wins, they all win.
"I don't want to call it a sorority, but there is definitely camaraderie," Aube said. "When Kim finished third, five or six other girls were there rooting for her. When would you ever see that?
"They realize as a group that, if they play better, the endorsements will increase."
I don't know if I would subscribe to that theory, but then again, it doesn't seem like a concept such as this has been tried. The closest thing I can think of otherwise would be a team of golfers representing one brand. But I can't recall a group of golfers of either gender trying to get endorsements together.
So, tell me then, what do you think? Will the Wilhelmina 7 concept work in bringing these ladies more attention and furthering the attention to the LPGA in general?
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works for me !!
ok – aside from these VERY sexy pictures – I don’t really care about a modelling agency putting their name on a marketing idea. They won’t be calling me for dates – and maybe 4 of them have a shot at winning tournaments – maybe.
For the most part, I don’t think men have any real interest in modelling or models except to look at them – a few fantasies now and then – but not much in the real world. The impression many people have of models is that they look great, but past that, they are very shallow. In this case, they do have a lot of talent in golf.
So what are they trying to do ? These ladies won’t be playing tournaments in bikinis and lingerie – and nobody really cares that they look great in very little clothing if they can’t put the ball in the hole from Thursday to Sunday. It’s marketing – and only women will be following the Wilhelmina 7.
About Billy Jean King – her efforts lead to women getting more money in general – and eventually got equal purses in the majors – but the women’s game hasn’t truly improved. They hit the ball harder because of technology and are in better physical condition across the board – but the play is still the same. (in my opinion, women’s play in the days of BJK was more interesting because they went to the net and used the whole court – thanks to Chris Evert, women started camping out at the baseline waiting for someone to fall asleep during a rally) If the men’s game hadn’t gotten just as boring as the women’s game, the regular purses wouldn’t have gotten as big as they are. Men’s tournaments still pay more when they are not playing in tournaments for both men and women, or in the lead up series to the US Open.
"this ball will fit in that fairway"
by courtgolf on Oct 10, 2008 11:46 AM EDT 0 recs
it's B.S.
It’s about a promoter trying to line his own pockets. Nothing more, nothing less.
by dianemarie on Oct 10, 2008 1:28 PM EDT 0 recs
"his" ???
Wilhelmina is a female owned and run business
"this ball will fit in that fairway"
by courtgolf on
Oct 10, 2008 1:49 PM EDT
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then it’s about a promoter trying to line her own pockets. Hair brained ideas know no gender bias.
by dianemarie on
Oct 10, 2008 3:27 PM EDT
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:-)
just teasing you…sort of. it sounds like you think that it’s wrong for a business owner to make money. remember – these players aren’t doing this for the fun of it, either – they are getting paid, too.
"this ball will fit in that fairway"
by courtgolf on
Oct 10, 2008 3:51 PM EDT
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From a women's perspective
I think it’s great. I don’t see the downside. These girls know their looks won’t take them too far if they don’t play well… so they do. And they have the added assets of their charm and beauty to get them more exposure and better sponsorships. These will help them earn money that’s closer to the guy’s earnings because, as we know, LPGA events don’t pay that well.
I think there are lots of guys out there who hate to see the playing field leveled for women as far as income possibilities are concerned.
by golfgirl on Oct 12, 2008 7:32 PM EDT 0 recs
"LOTS of guys..."...
Hmmm – you have a point – if more women are making good money, that means there are fewer to do the cleaning and cooking around the house !! Bwwwaaaaaaaahahahahaha !! :-D (ducking) :-D
I always get a kick out of that sort of reaction, but the women who say things like that never talk about the women who look down their noses at women who “get by on their looks”. (it’s never an attractive woman who says that, by the way) Jealousy and envy over looks are just as ugly as…whatever it is you would call a few guys who would get upset over 7 women making a little extra cash.
"this ball will fit in that fairway"
by courtgolf on
Oct 13, 2008 9:11 AM EDT
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So long as it's not blatant
That the W7’s sexuality comes first, then I don’t think it deserves much criticism. But, if these girls aren’t going to be putting up T15s and better, then it’s going to look lousy.
by Ryan Ballengee on
Oct 13, 2008 9:22 AM EDT
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what's blatant ?
I’m guessing there won’t be appearances at strip clubs or photo shoots on stripper poles….wait…before we count that out… ;-)
Stacy P already has 2 wins – so she’s set.
Kim Hall has shown up on leaderboards this year with 2 top 10’s.
Anna Grzebien is headed back to Q-school and maybe the Futures Tour. Under $40k in earnings – but she’s a rookie and is still learning her way.
Johanna Head – same thing, but she did make $110k
Sandra Gal had a decent rookie season and kept her card with $163k with no top 10’s
Minea Blomqvist – solid year – 3 top 10’s and a little under $390k AND an appearance on xxx Golf Channel’s Golf Fitness Academy.
Mikaela Parmlid – 1 top 10, but needs to finish top 12 or 13 this week at Kapalua to get into the top 80 and keep her card.
That’s not bad – 4 of 7 had solid years with another, Parmelid, pretty close to being excused from Q-school. One more (Head) needs a better finish than she has ever had on tour (top 8) to make the top 80 on the money list. Only 1, a rookie, had a not-so-good year.
I haven’t read whether Wilhelmina is making this a year to year contract, or if players have to have their LPGA Tour cards to stay on “the team” – but if 4 or 5 keep their spots, that’s not a bad percentage. Maybe they’ll stay away from rookies in the future. I know Taylor Leon would make an excellent addition !
"this ball will fit in that fairway"
by courtgolf on
Oct 13, 2008 10:15 AM EDT
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