ESPN scores global rights to Women’s Soccer League
August 20, 2019
ESPN and the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), the longest-standing professional women’s soccer league in the US, have reached an exclusive agreement for worldwide rights (excluding US) to the league’s regular season and playoff matches. ESPN already holds the rights to NWSL broadcasts in the US via a separate agreement announced earlier this year.
ESPN’s international coverage of the NWSL in Europe, Middle East, Africa and parts of Asia will be streamed live and on-demand via ESPN Player.
“This is an important step for NWSL to strengthen the league’s reach through ESPN’s international network,” said NWSL President Amanda Duffy. “Our partnership with ESPN has already brought NWSL’s world-class competition into more homes and to more fans here in the United States. Expanding the network’s distribution internationally will continue to elevate the profile and visibility of NWSL around the world.”
“The National Women’s Soccer League is home to many of the world’s top female players, and as a brand, ESPN leads the way in delivering world-class soccer content to fans around the world,” said Scott Guglielmino, Senior Vice President, Programming and Acquisitions, ESPN. “We are thrilled to be able to leverage ESPN’s global reach to bring NWSL’s regular season and playoff matches to soccer audiences worldwide.”
The new season kicks off on August 21st.