WSL Negotiating New Deal To Counter NWSL’s $240M Media Rights Deal

NWSL are the flag bearers of women’s soccer. The American women’s soccer league is the biggest platform for the ladies. Despite the competition in recent years, its popularity continues to witness a meteoric rise! NWSL made history last year as the league penned a blockbuster media rights deal in the United States. The deal saw the league net a massive $240 million over four years. Their financial success has given other leagues newfound confidence. WSL is currently negotiating a new media rights deal in the United Kingdom. It is a deal that could change the landscape of women’s soccer in the coming years!

The Women’s Super League has negotiated with multiple English broadcasting houses over their upcoming media rights deal. According to reports, NewCo, the new organizers behind the league, believe that the tournament has an excellent financial valuation and could receive a hefty sum for their broadcasting rights. Well, if the company has its desire granted, we could step into a new era for women’s soccer.

WSL organizers reportedly want to put up the domestic rights for sale with all 132 games in the calendar year for the broadcast. It is a big ask as broadcasts in the UK are barred during the 03:00 PM time slot under the ‘Blackout Rule’. This rule prohibits any football game from being shown on television to ensure attendance and grassroots participation.

NewCo believes that WSL could greatly benefit from the 03:00 PM time slot, considering it would not face any competition at the slot. However, even if the games are not adjusted to the desired slot, it’s not an enormous loss! After all, WSL is expected to receive a staggering $18.6 million per annum for its broadcasting rights. The likes of SkySports, TNT Sports, and DAZN are said to be the front runners for the rights. The price tag could rise, assuming the competition between the bidders.

While this is a big step for WSL in an attempt to catch up to NWSL’s stature, the American continues to be the cream of the crop, with their massive deal with CBS Sports last year.

READ MORE: Ali Krieger Labels Historic NWSL Triumph a Distraction – “I Was Putting Everything On The Back Burner”

NWSL continues to be the home for women’s soccer…

The American women’s soccer league bagged a massive paycheck last year as they signed a $60 million per annum deal with CBS Sports. As a trade-off, the media company will receive broadcasting rights for all domestic events, available on both live television and digital platforms. The deal will run through from 2024 to 2027. It is a big win for everyone involved, considering the massive hike.

NWSL’s old deal with CBS Sports saw them take home a meager $1.5 million a year. The new deal is a massive 40x hike and has seen NWSL move past the WSL’s existing $9 million. The deal has also helped the league establish itself as the highest earner in media rights deals from women’s soccer. With the United States set to host the Men’s Copa America in 2024 and the World Cup in 2026, the nation is bound to see a fresh wave of eyeballs, and NWSL’s new deal is a precursor for what’s to come next!

READ MORE: Becoming NWSL’s Highest Paid Player Rocked Mal Swanson’s Confidence- “That’s Not Who I’m”