Why a Pro Athlete Retired Early to Work for Amazon
Jazmine Reeves said her retirement was "bittersweet."
— -- Is this a sign of the times for women's soccer in America?
Jazmine Reeves announced her retirement from professional soccer on Thursday.
The reason? After just one season with the Boston Breakers, Reeves, 22, said she was taking a job with e-commerce giant Amazon.
“Leaving Boston was definitely one of the harder decisions I have had to make,” Reeves said, according to BostonBreakersSoccer.com. “I really enjoyed my time with the Breakers, and I am very thankful for the experience. When I was presented with the opportunity to work for such an amazing company in Amazon, I felt it was something that I simply could not pass up.”
She will be an "area manager" for Amazon in New Jersey, working in the company's logistics and supply chain, according to Reeves' LinkedIn profile page
The National Women's Soccer League, like Major League Soccer, lags far behind the funding of sports leagues such as the NFL and Major League Baseball. Its official sponsors are the U.S. Soccer Foundation and Nike. Women in the league earn salaries between $6,000 to $30,000, according to league executive director Cheryl Bailey last year.
“It’s a bit surprising considering she is so young and still has the opportunity to play at such a high level,” said Robert Tuchman, president of sports and entertainment marketing firm Goviva. “She will definitely be making more money at Amazon and the long term opportunities from a financial perspective are most likely better there for her.”
A native of Dover, Delaware, Reeves scored the second-highest number of goals (seven) on the Breakers in 2014. She was named the team's Rookie of the Year.
"Obviously, we are very disappointed to be losing Jazmine, but we understand what a great opportunity she has been presented with at Amazon,” Boston Breakers general manager Lee Billiard said, according to NWSLsoccer.com. “Following an impressive college career and rookie season in the NWSL, we had hoped to bring her back this season but should she ever wish to return, there will always be a place for her with the Breakers. We wish her all the best.”
Reeves, the first-ever Virginia Tech player drafted into the NWSL, was selected by the Breakers in the third round (No. 21 overall) in the 2014 College Draft.
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