Tiffany & Co. transforms NWSL trophies into iconic symbols of women’s soccer prestige

Well, in came the National Women's Soccer League and that of Tiffany & Co., a major collaboration of luxury jewelers that took league trophies to a whole new level in terms of prestige and class. This collaboration began in 2023, which saw both the NWSL Shield and the MVP trophy get redesigned into this new era of recognition for athletes in the top women's soccer league in the United States.

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A New Recognition Milestone for Women's Soccer

Women's soccer has gained increased relevance and respect, be it by achievements within the field itself or the additional exposure and value given to its championships and awards. The alliance with Tiffany & Co. comes hand in hand with this. The trophies no longer just mean a victory; they reflect elegance, tradition, and the strength women's soccer has gained over time.

The NWSL Shield has been redesigned from what was once a simple tray into a true shield. Its design marries 24-karat gold vermeil to sterling silver, with a silver soccer ball at the center to represent the roots in the sport. It took its inspiration from ancient Greco-Roman armor, which was symbolic of the warrior mentality of the athletes competing with strength, grit, and unity throughout a highly competitive season. The fact that the back of the trophy also contains a handle to be able to hold it much like a real shield further connects the players to their achievement.

Elevating the Prestige of the NWSL

That's what this redesign is: "The best players in the world play in the NWSL, and it's only right that we have trophies as extraordinary as our athletes." Julie Haddon of NWSL said clearly what this redesign represents. In fact, joining forces with Tiffany & Co. pushes NWSL awards into a league never seen in women's sport thus far, which raises the bar on what recognition looks like within the beautiful game.

But this is not just an aesthetic effort; it's symbolic. New trophy designs herald the growth of the NWSL and its players, showing for the first time that women's soccer in the United States has achieved a global level of prestige and deserves trophies that reflect such greatness. Women's soccer is no longer a "growing sport" but rather a fully established force, as its athletes receive the respect they've long deserved.

The Importance of the NWSL Shield

The NWSL Shield is given to the team that enjoys the best regular-season record, which, by no stretch of any imagination, is not a small feat. In 2023, San Diego Wave FC took the title and capped an excellent season. This year, in 2024, competition is still close, with four teams still fighting for the Shield-a list to which Orlando Pride belongs, undefeated in 22 games and boasting an impressive 16 wins.

Rather than an award, the Shield epitomizes consistency, skill, and the ability to face the challenges of a long, demanding season. It is a new trophy, more sophisticated in design, rich in powerful symbolism that will help drive home the weight of this accomplishment to the players and the clubs alike.