Women’s soccer in the United States will see its reach expand over the next three years. On March 11, the National Women’s Soccer League announced both its broadcast schedule and its new deal that gives CBS Sports and Twitch the rights to present NWSL games.
In total, CBS Sports will show 87 NWSL matches in 2020 on CBS, CBS Sports Network and CBS’s new streaming service, CBS All Access. The league’s season-opener and its championship game will be shown on the CBS Television Network, 14 other matches, including both semifinals, will be shown on CBS Sports Network, and 71 other games will be shown on CBS All Access.
Twitch will present 24 free, “select” matches from throughout the 2020 regular season. The streaming service, most notably for video games and esports, will serve as the NWSL’s exclusive international media-rights partner. In turn, all 108 regular-season games, the playoffs and the championship game will be made available to all viewers outside the U.S. via Twitch.
“The NWSL is elated to partner with CBS Sports and Twitch, two incredible media companies with a proven track record of award-winning coverage,” NWSL Commissioner Lisa Baird said, per the an official statement. “This new media-rights agreement is a watershed moment for women’s soccer in the U.S. and around the world and is the first time NWSL matches will be available to such a wide audience.
“We are excited to work with CBS, with its rich history, tradition and storied innovation to utilize the power of their multiple platforms to reach more fans. We also are eager to team up with Twitch to showcase the brightest starts in the sport. These partnerships will continue to amplify the NWSL and its teams on a national and international stage.”
Between CBS Sports Network and Twitch, the Pride will be featured in five matches, all on the road: two through the former service, three via the latter. Orlando’s first appearance on CBS Sports Network will also be its first road game, a matchup with Utah Royals FC on April 24. The Pride will then play the newly rebranded OL Reign on June 19.
Orlando’s featured appearances on Twitch will be on the road against the Washington Spirit on May 30. The Pride will also feature in road matches on Aug. 15 against Portland Thorns FC and on Sept. 12 at the Houston Dash.
“We are excited to partner with the [NWSL], bringing one of the top women’s sports leagues to CBS Sports,” said Dan Weinberg, executive vice president of programming at CBS Sports, per the release. “This deal will showcase the strength of CBS’s multi-platform assets across broadcast, cable and digital by bringing marquee games, including the semifinals and NWSL Championship to CBS, CBS Sports Network and CBS All Access.”
Said Michael Aragon, senior vice president of content at Twitch, on the new deal: “We couldn’t be more excited to partner with the NWSL as we further expand our sports content on Twitch. Their players are the greatest athletes in their sport from around the world, and we are thrilled the NWSL chose Twitch as their home to build a bigger community of soccer enthusiasts.”
OL Reign and Washington will kick off the NWSL season on April 18 at 1 p.m. on CBS and CBS All Access. At 7 p.m., the Chicago Red Stars and the North Carolina Courage will face off in a rematch of last year’s championship game, wherein North Carolina won its second-consecutive title with a 4-0 win.
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Baird, who was presumably integral in negotiating these deals, was reported to have started her first day as commissioner on March 10. She previously worked for properties such as IBM, serving as its senior vice president of marketing communications from 2000 to 2005, and the National Football League, serving as senior vice president of marketing and licensing for three years.
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Before CBS and Twitch, the NWSL had entered a three-year broadcasting deal with A&E Networks and Lifetime. The deal, initiated in 2017, was cut short in 2019.
For more on the NWSL, as the league enters its record eighth season, follow Victor Tan on Twitter at @NDR_VictorTan.
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