The National Women’s Soccer League, which kicked off its 11th season over the weekend, is looking to grow its overseas audience in collaboration with a sports industry giant.
The league is launching a free streaming service with UFC owner Endeavor available outside the U.S.
“We’re looking forward to providing our global fanbase the opportunity to watch these players compete for their respective NWSL clubs before the World Cup competition begins and upon their return this summer,” NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman said.
The league is looking to the 2023 Women’s World Cup, which will be held in Australia and New Zealand, to grow interest in the NWSL. The commissioner estimated that 25-30% of NWSL players will participate in the tournament.
The NWSL also works with DAZN, which provides non-exclusive league coverage in much of Europe, Japan, and Brazil. Tigo has a non-exclusive agreement with the league in a half-dozen Central American countries.
The league is in active negotiations with U.S. broadcasters on its next set of domestic media rights deals.
Berman said the NSWL has received robust interest from a number of parties as it enters the last year of a three-year pact with CBS Sports for a reported annual $1.5 million.
