In a groundbreaking move, the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) has announced four new broadcast deals, taking its media revenue from $1.5 million per year to a staggering $60 million per year. The league's efforts to gain recognition from the media have finally paid off, paving the way for a brighter future.

The NWSL's new broadcast partners include CBS, ESPN, Amazon, and ION. These partnerships, which will be in effect from 2024 to 2027, coincide with the potential co-hosting of the next women's World Cup by the United States and Mexico.

According to a source familiar with the negotiations, the combined rights fees for these deals amount to $60 million annually, significantly surpassing the $1.5 million per year paid by CBS since 2020. This influx of revenue will be a game-changer for the league and its players.

NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman expressed her excitement about the newfound partnerships, stating, "These partnerships fundamentally change the game for our league and the players who take the pitch each week. We have taken great care to ensure our games are discoverable by increasing our reach in order to expose new audiences to everything that makes our league special, without compromising the economic value of our product."

CBS and ESPN will take center stage as the league's marquee broadcasters. CBS will air a minimum of 21 games annually, including 10 regular-season matches, one playoff quarterfinal, one semifinal, and the championship game in prime time. CBS Sports Network will stream eight regular-season games. While CBS games will be available on Paramount+, it appears that CBSSN games will not be streamed, disappointing fans without traditional pay-TV subscriptions.

ESPN will regain the NWSL rights, also securing first-tier American domestic soccer rights after MLS moved to Apple and Fox. The network will showcase 20 games across ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, and ESPN Deportes in both English and Spanish. This move highlights an effort to cater to Spanish-speaking fans who have not received much attention in the past. All these ESPN games will be available for streaming on ESPN+, removing the need for a pay-TV subscription. ESPN has also acquired broadcast rights for Latin America in English, Spanish, and Portuguese.

Amazon's Prime Video is venturing into women's sports by adding the NWSL to its WNBA and NFL rights deals. Exclusive NWSL games will be aired on Friday nights, including a special season kickoff game and one playoff quarterfinal. On the other hand, ION, which gained recognition for airing WNBA games this year, will now broadcast 50 NWSL games, with Saturday night doubleheaders becoming a prominent feature.

For games not covered by these major packages, the league will stream them online through their in-house platform. The specifics regarding the cost and availability of this package, including archived replays, have not been disclosed at this time.

Despite the split across various platforms, the NWSL's new broadcasting deals signify a significant economic victory for the league and its players. The expansion of the league to include a team in the San Francisco Bay Area and the return of a team in Salt Lake City further adds to the league's growth. With two more cities expected to join in 2026, the NWSL is poised to thrive in the years to come.

NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman can celebrate a triumphant tenure, having successfully tackled abuse scandals, overseen expansion, and now secured an incredibly lucrative broadcasting deal. The future looks promising for women's soccer in the United States, and fans can eagerly anticipate the enhanced visibility and opportunities these deals will bring.