Women's Super League targets 150% increase to £7.5m broadcasting deal with BBC, Sky Sports and TNT Sports all set to bid following breakout success of Sarina Wiegman's Lionesses

The WSL's current domestic broadcast deal - shared between Sky Sports and the BBC - is valued at £7.5 million ($9.57m). That contract will soon be up, and the UK's elite women's division is targeting a new deal worth £20m when they issue the tender document next month, as reported by the Mail.

Women's football has surged in popularity over the last few years, with England's European Championship triumph in 2022 playing no small part in that. The WSL is expected to follow the Premier League's lead by making more matches available to broadcast, although it will need to convince broadcasters that a 150% increase in the deal is merited.

The fact that the market for live football matches is close to saturation could prove a hurdle for the WSL. However, a proposal - supported by TNT Sports - to lift the 3pm blackout slot for women's matches could help. TNT is expected to bid along with Sky and the BBC, though the latter is unlikely to significantly increase its £750,000 contribution to the current broadcast deal.

The WSL will look to persuade broadcasters that the appetite for more live matches is there among audiences. Should the league secure the extra investment it is looking for, then the women's game could grow even further.