It was just two short years ago that the Women’s Super League (WSL) became a fully professional league, but the talent and close competition on display are that of a professional league that’s been around and dominant for far longer. The players and teams deserve to be supported and promoted, and both BBC and Sky Sports have taken steps to ensure that it happens.
For WSL fans living in Britain, following your favorite players and teams just became that much easier. Gone are the days of only hearing about Sam Mewis’ latest goal on Twitter or wishing you could have witnessed Arsenal finding their footing as they triumphed decisively over Manchester United.
Deals with BBC and Sky Sports will help increase viewership.
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From September 2021 through the summer of 2024, BBC and Sky Sports will broadcast many of the WSL matches live as part of a trailblazing deal that shows a commitment to women’s soccer that should have existed well before today.
Sky Sports will broadcast between 35-44 games live each season while BBC will broadcast 22 games, 18 of which will be shown on BBC One or BBC Two. Any games not covered by these two platforms will be shown on The FA Player which you can watch for free.
The league is chock full of some of the best talent in the world from USWNT team stars Christen Press, Tobin Heath, Sam Mewis, and Rose Lavelle to FIFA’s best women’s player of 2020, Lucy Bronze, and the most expensive women’s player, Pernille Harder. To not broadcast the talent of these individuals would be a crime.
Thankfully with these new domestic deals estimated to be worth somewhere around £8m per season, the games will be accessible to the young kids dreaming of stepping on that field one day, the grandparents who have longed to see their grandchildren play, the die-hard fans who will support their club no matter what, and everyone else who wants to be a part of spreading the joy and appreciation for women’s soccer.
It’s an exciting time to be a women’s soccer supporter as the world finally begins to recognize the value and awe-inspiring play that the women’s game brings to the table.