Tuesday October 3, 2023

NWSL Championship Draws League Record Viewership

  • A record viewing audience of 915,000 watched the Portland Thorns claim their third title.
  • The match represented the league's first time on a broadcast network in primetime.
Amber Searls-USA TODAY Sports
Front Office Sports Today

NBC Could Get In On College Football Playoffs

NBC is exploring broadcasting a slice of the expanded CFP in 2026.
Listen Now
October 3, 2023 | Podcast
Linkedin
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

Women’s professional soccer continues to gain popularity with American fans.

A record viewing audience of 915,000 tuned in to watch the Portland Thorns defeat the Kansas City Current 2-0 to claim their third NWSL title on Saturday.

That makes it the most-watched match in league history and represents a 71% increase from last season’s championship, also played on a Saturday.

Part of the reason for the bump in viewership was likely the match’s presence on CBS in a primetime slot — the first time that has happened in league history.

Overall, 2022 represented a landmark season for the nine-year-old league.

Women’s Soccer Is Growing and Drawing More Investors

Clubs’ commercial revenue increased 33% year-over-year.
October 31, 2022

In addition to the uptick in viewership for the final, the NWSL set multiple attendance records this season, including several single-game records and most overall over the course of the season (1,042,063).

It’s all led to a bigger bottom line for the sport as a whole: The number of title sponsors for women’s soccer leagues grew 11% since 2021, while club commercial revenue increased 33% and league commercial revenue jumped 24% year-over-year.

Linkedin
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi following the victory against Los Angeles FC at BMO Stadium.

Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami Jersey Headlines 2023 MLS Sales

Messi had MLS’ top-selling jersey in his first season.
Olympique-Lyonnais

French Soccer Club Lyon Seeking $300M Capital Raise

The club was sold for a record price last French year.
Chiefs-Bears was the most-watched NFL game on any network this week — averaging 24.3 million viewers on FOX.

CBS Nets 13-Year High in September NFL Viewership

This month’s NFL on CBS broadcasts averaged 18.69 million viewers.
Boston Unity formally announces its successful NWSL expansion bid with a media and community event alongside Mayor Wu and other dignitaries at City Hall Plaza in Boston, Massachusetts.

Brad Stevens, Wife Invest In Boston’s Expansion NWSL Franchise

“It’s cool to be on that ground floor,” Stevens said.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

NBC Could Get In On College Football Playoffs

0:00
0:00

Featured Today

An advocacy group is filing an NLRB case against the Ivy League over athlete compensation.

Advocacy Group Files Federal Labor Charge Against Ivy League

It’s the latest in a flurry of NLRB cases over amateurism.
The Colorado Buffaloes played in the most-watched game of Week 5.
October 3, 2023

Colorado Ratings Bonanza Continues Despite Two Consecutive Losses

The Buffs’ least-watched game this season was still the most-watched this week.
Football analyst and PFF investor Chris Collinsworth talks to man in front of computers
October 3, 2023

Cris Collinsworth 'Lost a Lot of Sleep' Over Pro Football Focus Leadership Issues

New book details why it’s no longer a “happy place to work.”
NBC is interested in media rights to the expanded College Football Playoff.
exclusive
October 2, 2023

NBC Is Interested in Expanded College Football Playoff Media Rights

NBC is one of the networks pitching the CFP, a source confirmed.

Careers

Powered By

Careers in Sports

Looking for a new job? Check out these featured listings and search for openings all over the world.
Chicago Cubs
Chicago
Fanatics
New York
Tri Star Sports and Entertainment Group, Inc.
USA - Multiple Locations
Bayern Munich

Real Madrid Rejects $137M League Deal Over Media Access

The La Liga club is not offering extra media access.
Team Europe captain Luke Donald and Team Europe celebrates with the Ryder Cup after beating Team USA during the final day of the 44th Ryder Cup golf competition at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club.
October 3, 2023

Ryder Cup Viewership Drops in U.S., Rises in U.K.

NBC’s event coverage attracted 1.32 million average viewers on Sunday.
Taylor Swift
October 2, 2023

NBC's 'Swift Bowl' Draws Monster 27 Million Viewers

It was the most-watched Sunday show since Super Bowl 57.
October 2, 2023

DSG Seeks Extension As Reorganization Pressure Mounts

Bankrupt RSN operator looks to file restructuring plan in late November
October 2, 2023

RedBird IMI Makes Strategic Investment in Front Office Sports

RedBird IMI is a joint venture between RedBird Capital Partners and International Media Investments focused on high-growth media companies.
Formula 1 drivers in a pack at the start of the Montreal Grand Prix
October 1, 2023

Apple Reportedly Making Push For Global Formula 1 Rights

The tech giant could offer $2 billion a year for the rights.
College football is taking over Saturday night.
September 30, 2023

How College Football’s Biggest Games Took Over Saturday Night

Network competition and West Coast storylines helped college football stage a coup.
September 29, 2023

ESPN, Tiger-Rory Golf League Close To Long-Term Deal

New entity backed by Woods, McIlroy nears critical agreement