The football executives of the Women’s Super League are on the lookout for external funding amid renewed interest in the league. To gauge investor interest in the league’s commercial rights, the WSL board is almost ready to re-engage bankers at Rothschild. According to sources, the WSL may look for up to £100 million in outside funding to support the growth of the competition and the overall women’s game. The reappointment of Rothschild comes as WSL match attendance reaches record highs, more than 18 months after the WSL and Football Association asked it to investigate funding options for the league. This summer’s European Championship victory by England has reignited interest in the sport.
Bridgepoint, a private equity company that recently contacted the England and Wales Cricket Board about purchasing an interest in The Hundred, contacted the FA about funding the WSL in 2020. After being rejected, there have been numerous discussions concerning the Premier League acquiring ownership of the WSL. The Premier League is still interested in a contract, according to insiders in the sport of football, despite not yet being believed to have presented a solid proposal.
Chelsea currently sits atop the Women’s Super League standings, followed by Arsenal and Manchester United. Reading, Manchester City, and Liverpool are among the 12 WSL clubs. The FA, which is determined to give the top women’s league more financial independence, last year signed a “game-changing” multimillion-pound broadcast agreement with Sky Sports, which is owned by Sky News, and the BBC. The Premier League is interested in taking over the WSL, according to Richard Masters, its chief executive. Given the effects of the epidemic, a contract to more successfully commercialize and promote the WSL would give the FA a much-needed financial boost.
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