Bonnie-Jill Laflin

Enjoys a good tackle

"Why?" we hear you shout.

Well, the succesful tv host and cover girl just got back from visiting the troops again – this time in the Middle East, before that she visited them in Afghanistan. She is also a sports expert and TV commentator. On top of that she scouts talent for the MALE American National Basketball league and even though she is an all-American girl, she loves soccer! We met for a little exclusive sports chat with the Texan stunner.

You are the only female scout for the NBA. What are your duties? What sets you apart from your male colleagues?
Do you feel you've gotta prove yourself more in that male domain?
Being the first and only female scout in the NBA for the Los Angeles Lakers my duties are to scout college players. The conferences I scout are Pac 12 and Big 12. Since I'm the only female in a male-dominated world, I must prove myself more than the men. I constantly have scrutiny on me, especially since I've taken a different path than other scouts, being that I was a NBA/NFL cheerleader, model and sportscaster. People in the sports world tend to think if you are an attractive female you are not knowledgeable or credible... I'm here to prove them wrong!

America still treats soccer like  an unloved stepchild. If in charge, what steps would you take to make soccer more popular in your country?
Fans need to be drawn in to players more and get to know them more personally so they can connect with them like the other American athletes. So signing international stars like the Los Angeles Galaxy did with David Beckham is heading in the right direction. I also think Americans need to be more educated on learning the rules of the game, as most people in the US didn't grow up with soccer. Adding cheerleaders wouldn't hurt either ;)

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