Another big step for the WSL: English top flight agrees record-breaking TV rights deal with Sky Sports & BBC

The WSL will receive a record-breaking cash injection after agreeing a bumper new broadcasting deal with Sky Sports and the BBC, according to The Guardian. The new deal will kick in from next season and will be worth a reported £65m across five years, with production costs taking the total investment to more than £100m ($130m) – a huge increase from the current agreement worth around £7-8m.

The deal will see Sky broadcast 118 live WSL matches per season, 78 of which will be exclusive to them, and giving them 75% of the first-choice picks. The BBC has committed to showing up to 21 matches a season live, 14 of which will be exclusive, and the remaining seven will be shared. Any matches not selected for TV will be shown live on YouTube, meaning all 132 games of the WSL season will be able to watch on TV or online. It is also understood there will be a large increase in the number of Women’s Championship matches broadcast live on YouTube from next season, with Sky having the option to broadcast second-tier matches live if they choose to do so.

The new five-year contract is longer than previous WSL television rights deals, with the belief that, when the rights next come up for tender, the WSL will be entering the market before the men’s leagues, rather than afterwards, which many insiders felt was a disadvantage for the WSL in its previous negotiations last season.

Additionally, as part of the new deal, players will be given digital rights to show their own highlights clips on their social media channels. That arrangement is seen as being unique to the WSL and will help players enhance their brands.

The chief executive of Women’s Professional Leagues Limited (WPLL), Nikki Doucet, said: “Agreeing the next cycle of broadcast rights was a priority for us and we are very fortunate to have two premium broadcast partners in Sky and the BBC who believe in the future and value of women’s football as much as we do. The growth of the game is undeniable, and this deal is another step in the right direction and positive news for the fans, the players and the clubs.

“Sky and the BBC are longtime backers and their contribution to the growth of the women’s game should not go without recognition. They provide excellent visibility coupled with first-class production values and we look forward to building on our partnership over the coming years.”

The deal will kick in next season but could allow for record spending and contracts being handed out, with teams set to get a significant revenue bump from the agreement. The current season is already underway, with Chelsea looking to defend their title against the likes of Manchester City, who currently top the league.