NWSL Extends Worldwide Landscape With USA Today Sports Media Group
Tuesday, May 16, 2023 at 07:25PM By Barry Janoff
May 16, 2023: Adding to a growing roster of media partners that will combine to cover and bring all league games to global audience, the National Women’s Soccer League today unveiled a multi-year agreement naming Gannett’s USA Today’s Sports Media Group as an official media partner.
As part of the agreement, NWSL said it would “leverage USA Today advertising inventory and provide direct introductions to official league sponsors. There will also be components of a revenue share for both parties.”
Financial terms of the alliance were not shared.
The pact expands NWSL’s alliance with Gannett, which last year saw Imagn, Gannett’s sports and news photo wire service, sign a multi-year agreement to serve as the league’s worldwide official photography partner.
“We appreciate USA Today’s continued support of the league and look forward to furthering our collaboration with this new partnership,” Mitch Poll, NWSL CRO, said via the league.
“Sustained coverage of our sport plays a vital role in the long-term success of the league, and we have full confidence that USA Today Sports' extensive media network will be instrumental in amplifying the exposure of the NWSL even further.”
The move also builds on recent NWSL major media alliances.
Last month, NWSL signed with FAST Studios' Women's Sports Network 24/7 platform dedicated to women's sports as a media partner for non-live match content and a multi-year deal with IMG Arena, a sports data and technology supplier for the betting, media and professional sectors.
In March, NWSL and Endeavor Streaming unveiled a partnership to launch a global streaming service for viewers outside of the U.S. for the 2023 season that would make matches available free of charge for fans globally at NWSLSoccer.com. 
The NWSL this season also signed two streaming deals with international distributors DAZN and Tigo, securing additional access to live NWSL matches for audiences across more than 25 countries around the world; and a partnership with Canadian sports broadcaster TSN to distribute NWSL matches, including the 2023 NWSL Championship, across its network in Canada this season.
CBS Sports’ multi-platform coverage, presented by CarMax, will include all 176 NWSL matches this season.
The CBS Television Network will air six matches, including both the broadcast of the 2023 UKG NWSL Challenge Cup Final and the 2023 Ally NWSL Championship Presented by CarMax.
Paramount+, Paramount Global’s subscription streaming service, will also stream those six matches live.
“We are thrilled to further Gannett’s relationship with the NWSL,” Nate Scott, vp-USA Today Sports Media Group, said via the company. “The partnership allows us to take advantage of the rapid growth of our women’s sports coverage and audience, especially in the soccer space.
“NWSL coverage has been a major factor in the growth of our new standalone soccer website, Pro Soccer Wire, and we are delighted to pursue a partnership that reflects a passion area for our audience.”
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