The National Women's Soccer League has finalized a supplemental media rights agreement with ESPN that expands the network's coverage for the 2026 and 2027 seasons. Under the new terms, ABC and ESPN networks will carry 16 additional regular-season games each year, increasing their total NWSL match coverage from 33 per season.
NWSL veteran Savannah DeMelo collapsed shortly before half time of Racing Louisville's fixture with Seattle Reign on Sunday, with the match subsequently suspended. She was taken by ambulance to a local hospital, and was "stable and alert" later on Sunday, according to club officials. The 27-year-old has battled Graves disease and hyperthyroidism.
USWNT star Jaedyn Shaw is set to complete an NWSL record transfer to NJ/NY Gotham FC from the North Carolina Courage. The Bats have reportedly agreed to pay a fee of $1.25 million for Shaw, which is more than double the previous record set less than a month ago when the Kansas City Current signed Ally Sentnor.
Chelsea have signed United States sensation Alyssa Thompson before the WSL deadline, paying a club-record fee which surpasses the deal for Naomi Girma.
Portland Thorns have completed the signing of Arsenal sensation Laila Harbert on a short-term loan deal that will be valid until January. The 18-year-old midfielder, who signed her first professional contract with the Gunners in January 2025, spent the second half of the 2024-25 campaign on loan at Southampton. Harbert has been part of the Gunners' youth system since the age of nine.
Lizbeth Ovalle has become the most expensive women's player in history, signing for the Orlando Pride from Tigres for a word-record fee of $1.5m (£1.1m).
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