• Loading stock data...
Wednesday, August 20, 2025
Stephen A. Smith vs Clay Travis at Tuned In on September 16 in NYC. Don’t miss it. Buy tickets now!

NWSL’s Record Media Deals Drive Schedule Expansion

  • The NWSL is expanding to a 26-game schedule in 2024.
  • New media deals will bring in $240 million over the next four years.
Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

The NWSL’s new record-setting $240 million media deals are already influencing a significant expansion of the league’s schedule.

In 2024, as new franchises launch in the Bay Area and Salt Lake City, the NWSL’s 14 clubs will each play 26 regular-season matches, four more than the 22-game schedule this past campaign. 

The postseason, meanwhile, will expand from six to eight teams, eliminating first-round byes for top seeds and adding two more playoff games in the process. Altogether, the NWSL will play 190 matches in 2024, up from 137 this year, providing dozens more opportunities for clubs to bring in new ticketing and sponsorship revenue on top of the 40-times increase in annual media rights fees.

More games also mean more inventory for the NWSL’s new incumbent media partners, Amazon Prime Video, Scripps Sports, CBS Sports, and ESPN, who together will broadcast 118 matches to national audiences. The remaining games will be available via a league streaming package.

Last season, the NWSL set an attendance record with more than 1 million fans attending games across the league. The NWSL is also aggressively exploring adding two more expansion teams by 2026, growing the league to 16 franchises.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Jey Uso and Pat McAfee look at each other after Uso’s win Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025, during the WWE Royal Rumble at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
breaking

WWE Will Leave Peacock for ESPN 6 Months Early

Peacock’s final show will be “Clash in Paris” on Aug. 31.

NFL Preseason Games Are Popping Up on YouTube’s Sunday Ticket

The $2 billion out-of-market package covers only the regular season.

Inside ESPN’s ‘Industry Shaping’ DTC Plan, What’s at Stake

Many bundle offers and opaque metrics mark the high-profile launch.

Sophie Cunningham Receives 3rd WNBA Fine for Criticizing Refs

This is Cunningham’s third fine in about a month.

Featured Today

Sep 8, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Giants running back Eric Gray (20) returns a kickoff against the Minnesota Vikings during the first half at MetLife Stadium.

‘Fauxbacks’ Throw Back to a Retro Uniform That Never Existed

Many throwback jerseys are brand-new designs or “Franken-Unis.”
August 17, 2025

‘Labubu Gang’: The Creepy-Cute Dolls Sweeping Pro Sports

The creepy-cute doll is the hottest collectible—and fashion statement.
Middle Tennessee wide receiver Cam'ron Lacy (86) catches a pass and carries the ball during the season final home football game against New Mexico State on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024.
August 15, 2025

How Middle Tennessee State Added $668,000 to Its NIL Budget

The Blue Raiders are creating a new blueprint for cutting costs.
Bridgewater American 12U Little League player Micah Poulter holds a District 7 pin during a send-off rally to the New England regional tournament in Bristol, Connecticut, from Legion Field on Friday, August 2, 2024.
August 14, 2025

Inside the Little League World Series Pin Trade

The rare little collectibles fuel a frenzy in Williamsport each summer.

US Open’s Controversial New Mixed Doubles Format Makes Waves

The first-place prize money for the winning duo climbed from $200,000 to $1 million.
Palestinian flags
exclusive
August 19, 2025

MLS Says Columbus Crew Fans Can Fly Palestinian Flag After Two-Year Ban

MLS has banned Israeli and Palestinian flags since October 2023.
August 20, 2025

PGA Tour Turning to Theo Epstein, Tiger Woods to Reshape Pro Golf

A new Future Competition Committee was announced Wednesday.
Sponsored

Building A Pro League From Scratch

Front Office Sports and Gainbridge® spotlight what it takes to build a professional women’s soccer league.
Aug 1, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers (5) signs autographs for fans before the game against the Indiana Fever at the American Airlines Center.
August 19, 2025

WNBA Breaks Regular-Season Attendance Record With a Month Left

The current WNBA season ends Sept. 11.
August 19, 2025

PGA Tour Will Return to Trump Doral for New $20M Signature Event

Doral last hosted a PGA Tour event in 2016.
exclusive
August 19, 2025

New Cleveland WNBA Team President on Cavs Connection, Rivaling Valkyries

The Cleveland WNBA team debuts in the 2028 season.
August 18, 2025

Rich Golf Weekend Sees PGA Tour, LIV Players Split $53M in Bonuses

Big paydays were awarded after Sunday’s golf tournaments.