• Loading stock data...
Monday, June 2, 2025

NWSL Wants To Be The ‘Best League in the World’

  • The NWSL season begins on Saturday when the North Carolina Courage kick off against the Kansas City Current.
  • The league has two team sales, systemic reform, and its next set of media deals on its to-do list.
A view of the 2023-24 NWSL season match ball.
Kyle Ross-USA TODAY Sports

On Saturday, the National Women’s Soccer League kicks off a crucial season for the league’s growth.

The NWSL is on an impressive trajectory, with huge leaps in attendance (80%), ticketing revenue (125%), and sponsorship revenue (87%) from 2021 to 2022. The early returns on the coming season are looking good: As of Monday, season-ticket sales were up 20% compared to all of last year.

The growth has led to a major increase in team valuations, with the fee to join a league rising from around $5 million a few years ago to about $50 million for expected new teams in the San Francisco Bay Area and Boston. 

The league is hoping for a similar multiple from its next media deal, which commissioner Jessica Berman said is on pace to be completed in the third quarter of this year.

The league is bringing in a reported $1.5 million on its domestic media rights pact with CBS, which runs through this season.

NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman addresses the media about the Utah Royals FC

They’re Back: Utah Royals Become NWSL’s 13th Team

The Royals will begin play in 2024.
March 13, 2023

“There are many interested parties in the media landscape,” Berman said at a media availability on Monday. “We think there are some really interesting opportunities both here and overseas to consider as we think about growing our brand globally and claiming our space as the best league in the world.”

Meanwhile, Berman has an eye on team sales in Chicago and Portland, spurred by issues of abuse and harassment with both teams. 

The league is overseeing systemic reform efforts, including establishing reporting procedures and human resource training for each of its teams.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Masters Raising Ticket Prices After Cracking Down on Secondary Market

Tournament day tickets in 2026 will cost $160, up from $140 in 2025.
Dec 23, 2024; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; General view of the Vince Lombardi statue outside of Lambeau Field prior to the game between the New Orleans Saints and Green Bay Packers.

Publicly Owned Packers Make a Rare Leadership Change

Ed Policy will lead the NFL’s only publicly owned franchise.

History Shows Pacers vs. Thunder May Draw Record-Low Ratings

Indiana and Oklahoma City are two of the NBA’s smallest U.S. television markets.

Verstappen Nears F1 Suspension After ‘Mario Kart’–Style Mayhem

The Red Bull driver received penalty points in Sunday’s race.

Featured Today

PSG and the City of Paris Can Join European Soccer’s Elite

What a maiden Champions League title would mean for the French club.
May 30, 2025

How the Champions League Anthem Took on a Life of Its Own

The composer didn’t know he wrote a timeless hit three decades ago.
May 25, 2025

How Rolex Paved the Way for Luxury’s Love Affair With Tennis

“It’s almost impossible to think about tennis without thinking about Rolex.”
Mar 23, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; Alexandra Eala (PHI) reacts after winning a point against Madison Keys (USA)(not pictured) on day six of the Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium.
May 24, 2025

Alex Eala Is Defying Her Country’s Odds to Make French Open History

The Philippines native has overcome a unique set of financial odds.

Indiana Fever’s Mounting Injuries Highlight WNBA Roster Size Problem

Cameron Brink believes the WNBA needs to expand roster sizes.
June 2, 2025

Scheffler Closing Fast on Mickelson’s PGA Tour Earnings

Scottie Scheffler is already fourth in PGA Tour career earnings.
Jun 1, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Sounders FC forward Danny Musovski (19), midfielder Obed Vargas (18) and midfielder Paul Rothrock (14) wear t-shirts to protest FIFA Club World Cup bonus sharing from MLS while participating in pregame warmups against the Minnesota United at Lumen Field.
June 2, 2025

Seattle Sounders Protest Tiny Share of Club World Cup Prize Money

Players are set to share $1 million of the $1 billion purse.
Sponsored

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

In Episode 7 of Portfolio Players, go inside the boardroom with Avenue Capital CEO and former Milwaukee Bucks co-owner Marc Lasry on Giannis’s future, women’s sports, and upstart leagues like TGL and Unrivaled. 
Oct 27, 2022; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) and LA Clippers guard Paul George (13) walks down the court during a time out during the first half at Paycom Center.
June 1, 2025

Pacers, Thunder Both Built Finals Teams Off Trading Paul George

George is a key piece of trivia in this year’s NBA Finals.
June 1, 2025

WNBA Championship Ring Boom: ‘Way Bigger. Way More Diamonds’

The Liberty’s WNBA championship ring value soared to $60,000.
May 30, 2025

MSG Tickets for Potential Pacers-Knicks Game 7 Start at $1,100

The current get-in price for a potential Game 7 is $1,099.
Oct 26, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) injures left shoulder whilte attempt to steal second base in the seventh inning against the New York Yankees during game two of the 2024 MLB World Series at Dodger Stadium.
May 29, 2025

Yankees-Dodgers Clash Draws TV Spotlight, Sky-High Prices

The teams’ lone regular-season series features three nationally aired games.