Barclays is continuing to grow their investment in women’s sports, doubling their investment in the Women’s Super League to $39.8 million and extending their contract with the league through 2025. As part of the deal, the company will become the headline sponsors of the Women’s Championship for the first time.
The WSL began their partnership with Barclays in 2019 when the bank invested just over 15 million pounds. The new number marks a new record for investment in UK women’s sport, according to the FA.
“Barclays have played a crucial role in the growth of women’s and girls’ football, so it is excellent news that they are committing to a new record investment in the women’s and girls’ pyramid until 2025,” the FA’s director of women’s professional game Kelly Simmons said in a release.
“As part of the FA’s 2020-2024 women’s and girls’ strategy, Inspiring Positive Change, we set ourselves the ambition of providing equal access for all girls at 90% of primary and secondary schools in the UK, and Barclays’ continued support and investment has allowed us to make great strides in achieving this ambition.
“From grassroots to the top tiers of women’s football, we are also extremely excited to welcome Barclays as the new title sponsor of the FA Women’s Championship. The FA Women’s Championship plays a pivotal role in the ongoing development of the pyramid structure and the credible history and association football that Barclays has will make the league even stronger.”
The move marks continued investment in the women’s game. NBC Sports and ata football announced in September a deal that would bring 57 WSL matches to NBC networks and continue to grow the game in America.