Emerging Women’s Super League Could Seek $123M in Funding

The Women’s Super League’s interest in outside investment has reignited as it draws record attendance figures.

The WSL board is close to reengaging investment bank Rothschild to look at investor interest in the league’s commercial rights, according to Sky Sports — and could seek up to around $123.8 million in outside funding. 

Rothschild was previously hired by the WSL and FA — which the WSL sits under — around 18 months ago to explore funding options. 

• Premier League CEO Richard Masters has expressed interest in taking over the women’s league.
• FA director of women’s football Sue Campbell said in July that it was “working with the [WSL] clubs to create a company which will be an FA subsidiary and the FA will still be there as a shareholder.” 

In December 2021, Barclays renewed its title sponsorship of the WSL — reportedly a record for commercial investment. Barclays also renewed its sponsorship for the Premier League.

Popular Potential 

The WSL struck a domestic broadcasting deal with Sky Sports and the BBC last year, with the former paying a reported $20.8 million per season.

Kelly Simmons, FA Director of the Women’s Professional Game, said last week that attendance for the Barclays Women’s Super League was up 200% so far from the last season, “averaging almost 6,000 fans a week.”