The U.S. Women's National Team brought the World Cup back home for the first time since 1999—and one NYC official thinks they deserve a Big Apple welcome. Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer has asked Mayor Bill "Roadtrippin'" de Blasio to hold a ticker tape parade for the champions.
In her letter (which you can read below), Brewer points out, "New York has a strong history of honoring sports teams in the Canyon of Heroes, but has never held a parade to honor a women’s team. Our newest soccer champions present an opportunity for New York to recognize that heroes and role models come in all genders, and I hope you will work with me to make this parade a reality."
July 6, 2015
Hon. Bill de Blasio
Mayor, City of New York
City Hall
New York, NY 10007Dear Mayor de Blasio:
I write to request that the City of New York hold a formal ticker-tape parade in Manhattan to honor the victorious U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team. With their thrilling 5-2 victory over Japan to claim the 2015 Women’s World Cup title, the US Women’s National Team set an amazing example for athletes across our great nation. I can think of no better way to honor these amazing athletes than by hosting a ticker-tape parade in the Canyon of Heroes in lower Manhattan.
New York City has a strong history of honoring sports achievements in the Canyon of Heroes, but has never held a parade to honor a women’s team. Our newest soccer champions represent an opportunity for New York to recognize that heroes and role models come in all genders, and I hope you will work with me to make this parade a reality. I look forward to discussing this with you soon.
Sincerely,
Gale A. Brewercc: Sunil Gulati, President, United States Soccer Federation
The last five ticker tape parades have been for the Yankees (1999, 2000 and 2009 World Series) and Giants (2008 and 2012 Super Bowl) but there was a ticker tape parade for Sammy freaking Sosa in 1998! Here's a list of NYC ticker tape parade recipients (PDF).
Anyway, we think USWNT would be pretty into it:
In the past, ticker tape parades have cost a few hundred thousand dollars (the 2009 parade cost around $331,000)—most of which has been carried by corporate sponsors—and allegedly pumps millions into the economy. Still, it takes an army of Sanitation workers to clean up.
