CBS Sports has signed a four-year deal to acquire the rights to broadcast the Women’s Super League live in the US from next season until the end of the 2029-30 campaign.
The new deal will see the Paramount+ streaming service air 183 WSL matches a season, while the CBS Sports Network will show one live match a week, with select matches also airing on CBS Sports Golazo Network.
The Guardian understands the deal represents a major uplift in the valuation of the rights, which could bring in as much as a fourfold increase to the WSL compared to previous seasons, although the exact valuation has not been disclosed. A new record high for a US deal in the WSL, the contract was negotiated by WSL Football’s international media rights representative, IMG.
ESPN had been the WSL’s live US rights holder for the past two campaigns and their deals were not revealed until very shortly prior to the relevant seasons, so there is understood to be good satisfaction at both the WSL and CBS Sports that a deal has been wrapped up much earlier this time, ahead of the next WSL season getting under way in September.
The CBS Sports women’s football rights portfolio also includes the NWSL and the Women’s Champions League, along with an extensive list of other women’s leagues including Serie A. The network had previously held the WSL rights during the 2023-24 season.
Zarah Al-Kudcy, WSL Football’s chief revenue officer, said in a statement: “We are excited to welcome CBS Sports back to the Barclays WSL. Their breadth of women’s football rights demonstrates their commitment to the game as does their delivery of content alongside live matches. And with the likes of former Arsenal player Jen Beattie already on their talent roster, we know our league’s storytelling is in good hands.”
Three WSL-based players were named to Emma Hayes’s latest US women’s national team roster on Wednesday; Manchester United’s Phallon Tullis-Joyce, Arsenal’s Emily Fox and Chelsea’s Alyssa Thompson. Manchester City midfielder Sam Coffey and Chelsea defender Naomi Girma missed out through injury, while other American players based in England include Brighton & Hove Albion forward Madison Haley.