• Loading stock data...
Saturday, July 19, 2025

NBC to Air NWHL Finals, Adds to Banner Year for Women’s Sports

woman_holding_hockey_stick
Andrew Nelles-Tennessean.com

Another women’s sport is being elevated to the national spotlight. 

NBC Sports will broadcast the National Women’s Hockey League’s Isobel Cup semifinals and finals — the first time professional women’s hockey games will be shown live on a major national cable network in the U.S.

2020 has been a banner year for professional women’s sports. 

  • In the fall, the National Women’s Soccer League saw its television viewership grow 500% year-over-year on the back of a new CBS broadcast deal.
  • Ahead of the 2020 season, the NWSL struck sponsorship deals with Procter & Gamble, Secret Deodorant, Budweiser, Google and Verizon. 
  • Viewership for the full 2020 WNBA season across all networks was up 38% vs. 2019, and social media interactions increased 30%.

“As we have seen with the WNBA and NWSL this year, when women’s major league sports leagues are given a strong showcase, viewership is increased and countless new fans connect with the teams and players,” NWHL Commissioner Tyler Tumminia said. 

The NWHL’s new broadcast deal comes shortly after the six-team league switched to an independent ownership model to encourage new investment.

Women’s hockey also saw its largest sponsorship deal ever in a $1 million commitment from Secret Deodorant to the Professional Women’s Hockey Players Association in October.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

USC Trojans guard JuJu Watkins (12) takes to the court on Jan. 22, 2025, ahead a game against the Purdue Boilermakers.

Unrivaled Makes NIL Splash During WNBA All-Star Weekend

The 3-on-3 women’s basketball league signed 14 college players to NIL deals.

WNBA Stars Say Zero Progress Made at CBA Meeting

The WNBA and its union had their first in-person meeting Thursday.

Unrivaled Founder Says Growing League Has ‘No Conflict’ With WNBA

Alex Bazzell co-founded Unrivaled with Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart.
exclusive

WNBA, Union Make Little Progress on CBA at All-Star Meeting

Over 40 players showed up for labor negotiations with the league.

Featured Today

Ryan Field Construction
exclusive

First Look Inside Northwestern’s $862 Million New Ryan Field

Five big things FOS learned on our exclusive stadium tour.
Jul 21, 2024; Ayrshire, SCT; Xander Schauffele celebrates with Claret Jug after winning the Open Championship golf tournament at Royal Troon.
July 17, 2025

The Boozy History and Traditions of The Open’s Claret Jug

The Open awards the world’s most famous wine decanter.
2025 PDC World Darts Championship Final - Luke Littler vs Michael Van Gerwen
July 16, 2025

A Teen Darts Prodigy Is Becoming Bigger Than the Game Itself

Luke ‘The Nuke’ Littler is cashing in on his devastatingly accurate shot.
May 31, 2025; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Sydney McLaughin-Levrone (USA) reacts before the women's 100m hurdles during the Grand Slam Track Philadelphia at Franklin Field
exclusive
July 13, 2025

Track’s New Money Is Running Into Old Problems

The sport’s big-money era has hit some speed bumps in 2025.
patrick_mahomes

Super Bowl TV Viewership Sinks 8%

CBS Sports’ telecast of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ 31-9 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs averaged 91.629 million viewers, down 8%.
person_playing_cricket
December 23, 2020

Prominent Tech Execs Line Up to Back Cricket Growth In the U.S.

More than 20 investors have now bought into American Cricket Enterprise, parent company oMajor League Cricket.
man_riding_stationary_bike
December 28, 2020

Connected Fitness Company Echelon Lands $65 Million Investment

The funding came from Goldman Sachs and North Castle Partners, who now own controlling interests in the company.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

Dealmaker Jeffrey Kaplan maps the evolution of sports as an asset class
antetokounmpo_dribbling_basketball
December 23, 2020

‘Giannis Effect’ Felt by Bucks Following Record-Breaking Extension

Since he was drafted in 2013, the Bucks’ valuation has jumped from No. 30 in the league at $312 million to No. 19 at $1.58 billion.
December 22, 2020

Adam Silver Says NBA Expansion is ‘Manifest Destiny of the League’

“It’s sort of the manifest destiny of the league that you expand at some point,” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said Monday.
December 22, 2020

Adidas Partners With Jerry Lorenzo, Fear of God Brand

Lorenzo will lead creative and business strategy for Adidas basketball globally, and launch a Fear of God athletics sub-brand.
Tokyo Olympics need increased funding.
December 22, 2020

Tokyo Olympics Budget Increases to $15.4B

The $2.8 billion difference stems from costs of the one-year delay like renegotiating contracts and implementing COVID-19 safety measures.