ESPN to Broadcast Nine NWSL Games after New Deal

US broadcaster ESPN and the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) announced a one-year agreement today that will have ESPN broadcast nine NWSL games this season.

ESPN 2 will air three regular season games, find both semifinal matches, and the NWSL championship, while three other regular season games will be aired on the network’s online streaming service, ESPN3.

“We are very excited to announce our new agreement with ESPN,” NWSL executive director Cheryl Bailey said in a statement. “In the midst of our second season, we are striving to provide our fans with improved access to our league matches and airing our games on ESPN2 and ESPN3 will give us a broader platform to expose fans to the amazing caliber of women’s soccer in the NWSL. We also hope to create new fans who will appreciate the amazing athletes and personalities in our league.” 

Of the regular season matches airing, three will be hosted by Portland Thorns FC, two by the Houston Dash and one by the Western New York Flash. Teams that will not have their games on air unless they make the playoffs are the Chicago Red Stars, FC Kansas City and the Washington Spirit.

“This agreement with the NWSL represents ESPN’s continued commitment to soccer and to top level women’s sports,” ESPN senior VP of programming Scott Guglielmino said in a statement. “We are excited to showcase this new league and feature some of the best female soccer players in the world leading in to the 2015 FIFA World Cup.”