National Women’s Soccer League & FOX Sports Media Group Ink Deal

CHICAGO: The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) and FOX Sports Media Group (FSMG) have made a television rights agreement to air nine games in 2013 for the NWSL’s first season.

Under the one-year deal, FMSG will broadcast a half dozen regular-season matches and all three playoff matches, including a pair of semifinal games on August 24 and 25, and the championship game on August 31. Starting on July 8, FOX Soccer will televise one match every week during the season’s last six weeks, which build up to the NWSL Playoffs. The schedule and teams will be revealed later in the year.

"We are very pleased to announce this media agreement with FSMG," said NWSL executive director Cheryl Bailey. "The opportunity to highlight the race for the playoffs and the three biggest games of the season that will decide the first league champion on national television is important for the growth of the league. Our fans will get the chance to see the high caliber of women’s soccer, and we also hope to create many new fans who will appreciate the amazing athletes and personalities in the league."

"The agreement with the NWSL showcases our support of women’s soccer and the growing popularity it’s experiencing in the country," said David Nathanson, the general manager of FOX Soccer. "We are excited to be the network home for the sport’s top level players, many of whom will be featured on FOX Sports at the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup."