CHICAGO (April 18, 2013) - The National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) and FOX Sports Media Group (FSMG) announced today a one-year agreement to televise nine games this year, the NWSL's inaugural season. As part of the agreement, FSMG will air six regular-season matches and all three playoff matches, which include the two semifinal games on August 24 and 25, and the championship game on August 31.
"We are very pleased to announce this media agreement with FSMG," said NWSL Executive Director Cheryl Bailey. "The opportunity to highlight the race for the playoffs and the three biggest games of the season that will decide the first league champion on national television is important for the growth of the league. Our fans will get the chance to see the high caliber of women's soccer, and we also hope to create many new fans who will appreciate the amazing athletes and personalities in the league."
Beginning July 8, FOX Soccer will televise one game per week over the final six weeks of the season, leading up to the NWSL Playoffs. The schedule will be unveiled in the coming weeks.
"The agreement with the NWSL showcases our support of women's soccer and the growing popularity it's experiencing in the country," said David Nathanson, General Manager of FOX Soccer. "We are excited to be the network home for the sport's top level players, many of whom will be featured on FOX Sports at the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup."
The National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) is an eight-team Division-I women's professional soccer league featuring players from Canada, Mexico and U.S. The founding clubs are the Boston Breakers, Chicago Red Stars, FC Kansas City, Portland Thorns FC, Seattle Reign FC, Sky Blue FC, the Washington Spirit and the Western New York Flash. Based in Chicago, the NWSL is supported by the United States Soccer Federation, Canadian Soccer Association and Federation of Mexican Football.
FOX Soccer, part of the FOX Sports Media Group, offers the most comprehensive multi-media coverage of world-class soccer available in the United States. Encompassing FOX Soccer, FOX Soccer Plus, FOXSoccer.com and FOX Soccer 2Go, the network serves as the primary television, online, and mobile smart phone and tablet destination in the U.S. for elite competitions including England's Barclays Premier League and FA Cup, UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League, the Scottish Premier League, and the Australian Hyundai A-League in addition to such prestigious tournaments as the CONCACAF Champions League and CONCACAF Gold Cup, as well as the future home of the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup. Flagship FOX Soccer is Nielsen-rated and available to service providers in High-Definition, reaching over 50 million cable and satellite households nationwide.
FOX Soccer Plus is a premium network providing the core fan with even more international and domestic high-level sports competitions in HD. In addition to live, exclusive soccer matches from the best leagues in the world, FOX Soccer Plus delivers premium rugby from the RaboDirect PRO 12 League, Aviva Premiership and Heineken Cup, among other competitions. Additionally, FOX Soccer Plus carries the world's top rugby league competitions, including Australia's National Rugby League and State of Origin Series, along with Europe's Stobart Super League and Carnegie Challenge Cup. FOX Soccer Plus is also home to rugby league's World Club Challenge and the Australian Football League. Live match coverage is available for fans on-the-go via premium broadband service FOX Soccer 2Go, online and via mobile and tablet applications. For more information - as well as news, features, analysis stats and more - visit one of America's most-visited online soccer destinations at FOXSoccer.com, and the network's Facebook page and Twitter feed (@FOXSoccer).
