NWSL signs tv deal with Fox Sports

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Fran
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NWSL signs tv deal with Fox Sports

Post by Fran » Wed Jul 01, 2015 3:48 pm

Glad some games will be on cable tv.

http://www.nwslsoccer.com/home/884476.html

The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) and FOX Sports announced an agreement to televise 10 NWSL games during the current season. As part of the deal, FOX Sports 1 will air three regular-season matches and all three games of the NWSL Playoffs, which includes the two semifinal games on September 13 and the NWSL Championship Game on October 1.

In addition, four regular season matches will be available on tablets and mobile devices via the FOX Sports GO app and online at http://www.FOXSportsGO.com, beginning Wednesday, July 22.

“We are extremely thrilled to once again partner with FOX Sports to broadcast the National Women’s Soccer League to a national audience,” NWSL Commissioner Jeff Plush said. “FOX Sports’ commitment to soccer, and specifically the women’s game, is fully on display during the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup. Their impressive coverage and outstanding viewership during the tournament demonstrates their passion and dedication for the beautiful game.”

“Our agreement with NWSL showcases our continuing support of women’s soccer well after the champion is crowned at the FIFA Women's World Cup,” said David Nathanson, FOX Sports’ Head of Business Operations. “We are proud to support the sport’s top players through our partnership.”

The partnership between the NWSL and FOX Sports means that fans can continue to watch their favorite stars from the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup after the tournament when they return to their respective clubs. In the first streamed match on FOX Sports GO, fans will get the chance to watch Alex Morgan face off against fellow U.S. Women’s National Team member Megan Rapinoe on July 22 when rivals Portland Thorns FC and Seattle Reign FC meet at Providence Park.

Fans will also be able to see U.S. internationals Carli Lloyd and Morgan Brian, along with Canada international goalkeeper Erin McLeod, lead the Houston Dash against FC Kansas City. The defending NWSL champions have their own international talent in USWNT players Lauren Holiday, Amy Rodriguez and Becky Sauerbrunn, who will look to upend the Dash at home.

Other World Cup stars fans can watch include Canada’s Christine Sinclair (Portland Thorns FC), USA’s Christen Press (Chicago Red Stars), Australia’s Kyah Simon (Boston Breakers), England’s Jodie Taylor (Portland Thorns FC) and Nigeria’s Francisca Ordega (Washington Spirit) – all of whom have scored at the 2015 tournament.

The excitement and intensity of the World Cup doesn’t have to end for soccer fans as each week viewers can tune in to watch their team make a push for the NWSL Playoffs.

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Post by nksports » Wed Jul 01, 2015 7:52 pm

While this is good news for the NWSL, this one does strike me as Fox jumping on the bandwagon. Let's just hope they don't pull what ESPN did in last year's playoffs and make the women play in Kansas City in the middle of the afternoon in the middle of August (on artificial turf, no less).
Last edited by nksports on Wed Jul 01, 2015 10:23 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Fran
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Post by Fran » Wed Jul 01, 2015 7:59 pm

People have said its a multi-year deal, and I agree with them jumping on the bandwagon and no surprise the Portland Thorns will have the most home games shown since they have the best attendance in the NWSL.

The playoff games are scheduled for Sept. 13th and the Championship will be Oct. 1st so the weather hopefully will be a bit cooler.

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Post by Minor League Mania » Thu Jul 02, 2015 12:30 pm

I have noticed that Fox is quick to point out players that are signed to a NWSL team during this world cup coverage.

As far as that schedule, Portland and Houston are the ONLY two places the league will broadcast regular season home games from. In addition to attendance, technology probably has something to do with that only having to setup two stadiums for broadcast. Each stadium will get a couple of FS Go game before hosting the national broadcasts.

I heard the league has already announced some expansion teams for next season. I agree this is the perfect time for Fox to do women's soccer with this year being a world cup year and next year being an Olympic year. These women are going to be in the national spotlight a lot over the next year plus.

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Post by nksports » Thu Jul 02, 2015 7:36 pm

[quote=""Minor League Mania""]Portland and Houston are the ONLY two places the league will broadcast regular season home games from.[/quote]

FC Kansas City has an option to use Sporting Park for select games, which they could invoke for a TV game.

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Post by Pounder » Thu Jul 02, 2015 8:35 pm

[quote=""Fran""]People have said its a multi-year deal[/quote]

Not the right people. Not yet. People were saying a deal was going to be announced much sooner than this, too.

[quote=""Minor League Mania""]I heard the league has already announced some expansion teams for next season.[/quote]

No they have not. There's been a wink and nudge here, but nothing concrete. Atlanta seems closest and quite likely. Both Indianapolis and Salt Lake tried to spin NWSL into stadium deals and both fizzled... though we probably haven't heard the last of both. Indiana waits for the next legislative session, and I don't know who's waiting for what in West Valley or elsewhere.

[quote=""nksports""]FC Kansas City has an option to use Sporting Park for select games, which they could invoke for a TV game.[/quote]

NWSL really needs MLS to make an investment here. Getting stranded at Rutgers and in Lisle vice Red Bull Arena and Toyota Park isn't helping. NWSL doesn't want to send out that HS/small college bleacher stadium vibe, obviously.
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