NWSL and A+E Networks end partnership after two seasons

NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 02: (L-R) Managing director of operations for the NWSL Amanda Duffy, NWSL Commissioner Jeff Plush, CEO of A&E Networks Nancy Dubuc, Sky Blue FC defender Christie Rampone, and U.S. Soccer President Sunil Gulati attend the Lifetime National Women's Soccer League press conference on February 2, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Craig Barritt/Getty Images for Lifetime) /

The NWSL season will begin in just under two months, and the league announced on Wednesday that it has ended it’s partnership with A+E Networks.

In early 2017, the National Women’s Soccer League and A+E Networks entered into a deal that included stake in the league, the launch of NWSL Media, and Lifetime became a sponsor. But what stood out most about this deal was that once a week, a game would be broadcast on Lifetime.

But with one year remaining in the deal, the two sides ended the partnership.

Heading into 2019, there were already some changes when it came to how matches would be viewed. After the streaming platform Go90 dissolved last year, the league put their games on the NWSL app and website.

Now, the app and website will be where international fans can stream matches, while viewers in the US will be able to see games on Yahoo!Sports.

But heading into a World Cup year, the NWSL will not be broadcasted on national television in the United States. This seems like a real missed opportunity for the league to gain followers. However, this leaves the door open for a new deal with a more sports focused entity.

At the end of the day, it will be super important for the United States to do well at the 2019 World Cup. With success at the tournament, more hype around the game is possible which has the possibility of bringing along a better, long term deal.

Women’s soccer leagues in the United States have not been known to do well. The NWSL however, has proven that it is possible to have long term success.

For many fans though, it is hard to keep an optimistic view when there is a team in Sky Blue who is struggling to put together a team and acceptable working conditions, and when the television deal that put the league on national tv once a week fell through just weeks prior to the start of preseason.

The 10 best teams in MLS history. dark. Next

While A+E Networks and the NWSL ended their partnership, NWSL Media will stick around as the “commercial arm of the league,” according to an NWSL press release.

This means that when it comes to sponsorship rights and digital assets, including social media, NWSL Media will still be in charge.

The NWSL also announced on Wednesday that it will release the 2019 schedule on Feb. 21.

Home/Soccer