“WSL Secures Historic £65m TV Deal: A Promising Step Towards Financial Stability, But Challenges Ahead”

The Women’s Super League (WSL) has made a significant stride forward with a new domestic television rights deal worth £65 million, securing off-pitch stability for the next five seasons. This agreement with Sky Sports and the BBC marks a crucial achievement for the Women’s Professional Leagues Limited (WPLL), which took over the management of England’s top divisions in August. The urgency to finalize a new broadcast agreement was paramount, and the WPLL has successfully delivered a record-breaking deal. The WPLL has often referred to itself as a “startup,” reflecting the early stage of development for both the organization and the women’s game, which has historically faced underinvestment compared to men’s football. Given this context, the WPLL is understandably pleased to have secured a reliable income stream that will last until 2030. This new deal represents a significant increase from the previous agreement, which was valued at approximately £7 million to £8 million annually. While the £65 million deal is still modest compared to the staggering £6.7 billion deal enjoyed by the men’s top tier over four years, it is a substantial amount for a sport that was only legalized in the UK in 1971. The WPLL’s goal is to achieve financial sustainability and profitability for the women’s game, making this new revenue stream crucial. With this agreement, they have guaranteed a minimum of £13 million in domestic broadcast revenue per season starting in the summer of 2025. While this deal is a positive development, questions remain about its implications for fans and whether the duration of the agreement might be too long. Nonetheless, the WSL is on a promising path as it continues to grow and evolve.

“WSL Secures Historic £65m TV Deal with Sky Sports and BBC for 2025-26 Season”

The Women’s Super League (WSL) has secured a landmark five-year domestic television deal worth approximately £65 million with Sky Sports and the BBC, set to commence in the 2025-26 season. This agreement will see nearly all top-flight matches broadcast live, significantly enhancing the visibility of women's football. While the exact financial details remain undisclosed, sources indicate that the total investment from the broadcasters, including production costs, will exceed £100 million. Sky Sports is expected to contribute the majority of this investment, gaining rights to broadcast up to 118 live WSL matches each season. Of these, 78 will be exclusive to Sky, which will also have priority in selecting 75% of the featured matches. The BBC will air up to 21 live matches per season, with 14 being exclusive to its channels and the remaining seven shared with Sky. Additionally, any matches not selected for live broadcast will be available to watch on YouTube, expanding access for fans and ensuring that all 132 games in a WSL season can be viewed either on television or online. There are also plans to significantly increase the number of Women’s Championship matches available for live streaming on YouTube starting next season, although neither Sky nor the BBC will broadcast Championship games live. This rights deal marks the first long-term broadcasting agreement negotiated by Women’s Professional Leagues Limited (WPLL) since it took over the management of England’s top two women’s leagues from the Football Association.