Fledgling distaff soccer circuit, National Women’s Soccer League, has netted a coverage pact with Fox Sports Media Group for nine games during its rookie season.
As part of the one-year agreement, FSMG will air six regular-season matches and all three playoff contests, including the two semifinal games on August 24 and 25, and the championship match on August 31. Financial terms were not disclosed. Asked if the league had secured coverage through a time buy, an NWSL spokesman said he couldn't discuss contractual details.
Beginning July 8, Fox Soccer will televise one game per week over the final six weeks of the season, leading up to the NWSL
playoffs. The complete broadcast schedule will be unveiled in the coming weeks. Fox Soccer Channel, according to published reports, is expected to morph into the FX spinoff service, FXX, on Sept. 2.
NWSL, supported by United States Soccer Federation, Canadian Soccer Association and Federation of Mexican Football, is an eight-team Division-I women’s circuit, featuring players from those three nations. The founding clubs are the Boston Breakers, Chicago Red Stars, FC Kansas City, Portland Thorns FC, Seattle Reign FC, Sky Blue FC, the Washington Spirit and the Western New York Flash.
“We are very pleased to announce this media agreement with FOX Sports Media Group,” said NWSL executive director Cheryl
Bailey. “The opportunity to highlight the race for the playoffs and the three biggest games of the season that will decide the first
league champion on national television is important for the growth of the league. Our fans will get the chance to see the high
caliber of women’s soccer, and we also hope to create many new fans who will appreciate the amazing athletes and personalities in
the league.”
“The agreement with the NWSL showcases our support of women’s soccer and the growing popularity it’s experiencing in the
country,” said David Nathanson, general manager of Fox Soccer. “We are excited to be the network home for the sport’s top level
players, many of whom will be featured on Fox Sports at the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup.”
Fox Soccer, part of the Fox Sports Media Group, encompasses the 50-million subscriber Fox Soccer service, premium channel Fox Soccer Plus, Foxsoccer.com and Fox Soccer 2Go.
