The NWSL has agreed to new TV rights deals, according to a report in Sportico.
The league has agreed to four-year contracts with ESPN, CBS, Amazon and Scripps, according to the report. The deals, expected to be signed in the coming weeks, run through the 2027 World Cup.
The financial details of the deals are unknown, but in the streaming era, live sports have never been more valuable to networks.
The NWSL’s current deal, with CBS, is worth $1.5 million but comes with a caveat: the league is required to pay for production, which is an eight-figure expense.
As the women’s game continues to gain popularity around the country, spurred by the success of the U.S. Women’s National Team, more money is flowing into the NWSL. It’s most valued team, Angel City FC (valued at $180 million) is on par with some MLS clubs.
By signing deals with multiple partners, the NWSL would allow for its games to be viewed by even more fans than just those with CBS.
The NWSL regular season is wrapping up next week, with the postseason scheduled to start Oct. 22 and the 2023 NWSL Championship set for Nov. 11.