ESPN Signs Exclusive Agreement for Worldwide Rights with the NWSL

Published on August 16, 2019 under National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) News Release

CHICAGO - ESPN and the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL), the longest-standing professional women's soccer league in the United States, reached an exclusive agreement for worldwide rights (excluding U.S.) to the league's regular season and playoff matches, it was announced today. ESPN already holds the rights to NWSL broadcasts in the U.S. via a separate agreement announced earlier this year.

ESPN's international coverage of the NWSL across its linear and digital platforms continues Saturday, August 17 with a doubleheader featuring Orlando Pride vs Utah Royals at 7:30 p.m. ET, followed by Portland Thorns FC vs Washington Spirit at 10:30 p.m. ET.

"This is an important step for NWSL to strengthen the league's reach through ESPN's international network," said NWSL President Amanda Duffy. "Our partnership with ESPN has already brought NWSL's world-class competition into more homes and to more fans here in the United States. Expanding the network's distribution internationally will continue to elevate the profile and visibility of NWSL around the world. The NWSL features many of this year's FIFA Women's World Cup stars, such as Canadian captain Christine Sinclair (Portland Thorns FC), who participated and scored in five different World Cup events; Australia's Sam Kerr (Chicago Red Stars), the nominee for the 2019 Best FIFA Women's Player Award; and Brazil's Marta Vieira da Silva (Orlando Pride), who holds the record for most goals scored at FIFA World Cup events. In addition, this NWSL season showcases many U.S. soccer talents, such as Alex Morgan (Orlando Pride), who scored the most goals by a single player in a Women's World Cup game on June 11; Carli Lloyd (Sky Blue FC), who set a Women's World Cup tournament record June 16 with a goal in her sixth consecutive game; and Megan Rapinoe (Reign FC), who continues to dominate the sport with the most goals scored in Reign FC franchise history.

"The National Women's Soccer League is home to many of the world's top female players, and as a brand, ESPN leads the way in delivering world-class soccer content to fans around the world," said Scott Guglielmino, Senior Vice President, Programming and Acquisitions, ESPN. "We are thrilled to be able to leverage ESPN's global reach to bring NWSL's regular season and playoff matches to soccer audiences worldwide."

2019 NWSL Schedule on ESPN:

Date Time (ET) Event

Wed, Aug 14 7 p.m. Sky Blue FC vs. Chicago Red Stars

Sat, Aug 17 7:30 p.m. Orlando Pride vs. Utah Royals

Sat, Aug 17 10:30 p.m. Portland Thorns FC vs. Washington Spirit

Wed, Aug 21 7:30 p.m. Chicago Red Stars vs. Orlando Pride

Wed, Aug 21 7:30 p.m. Washington Spirit vs. Utah Royals 

Sat, Aug 24 7 p.m. North Carolina Courage vs. Reign FC

Sat, Aug 24 7:30 p.m. Washington Spirit vs. Orlando Pride

Sat, Aug 24 8:30 p.m. Houston Dash vs. Sky Blue FC

Sat, Aug 31 7:30 p.m. Orlando Pride vs. Washington Spirit

Fri, Sep 6 9:30 p.m. Utah Royals vs. Portland Thorns FC

Sat, Sep 7 3 p.m. Sky Blue FC vs. North Carolina Courage

Sat, Sep 7 10 p.m. Reign FC vs. Orlando Pride

Sun, Sep 8 6 p.m. Chicago Red Stars vs. Houston Dash

Wed, Sep 11 10:30 p.m. Portland Thorns FC vs. North Carolina Courage

Fri, Sep 13 8:30 p.m. Houston Dash vs. Utah Royals

Sat, Sep 14 7 p.m. North Carolina Courage vs. Orlando Pride

Sat, Sep 14 7:30 p.m. Washington Spirit vs. Reign FC 

Sun, Sep 15 5 p.m. Sky Blue FC vs. Chicago Red Stars

Wed, Sep 18 10 p.m. Reign FC vs. Utah Royals

Sat, Sep 21 8 p.m. Chicago Red Stars vs. Washington Spirit

Sat, Sep 21 9 p.m. Utah Royals vs. North Carolina Courage

Sat, Sep 21 10 p.m. Reign FC vs. Sky Blue FC

Sat, Sep 21 10:30 p.m. Portland Thorns FC vs. Houston Dash

Sat, Sep 28 7 p.m. Washington Spirit vs. North Carolina Courage

Sat, Sep 28 8 p.m. Chicago Red Stars vs. Utah Royals

Sun, Sep 29 1 p.m. Sky Blue FC vs. Orlando Pride

Sat, Oct 12 7 p.m. North Carolina Courage vs. Sky Blue FC

Sat, Oct 12 7:30 p.m. Orlando Pride vs. Reign FC

Sat, Oct 12 9:30 p.m. Utah Royals vs. Houston Dash

Sat, Oct 12 10:30 p.m. Portland Thorns FC vs. Washington Spirit

National Women's Soccer League Stories from August 16, 2019

• NC Courage and Lyon Advance off of Stoppage-Time Goals and Meet in Women's ICC Championship - North Carolina Courage
• ESPN Signs Exclusive Agreement for Worldwide Rights with the NWSL - NWSL
• Utah Royals FC Continues Three-Game Road Stretch at Orlando Pride - Utah Royals FC
• Orlando Pride Close out Three-Game Home Stand against Utah Saturday - Orlando Pride
• Meehan and McDonald Score to Push NC Courage Past Man City Women and into Women's ICC Championship - North Carolina Courage

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