NWSL, Royals FC games to appear on ESPN’s international network for the rest of the season

The Utah Royals FC will have all eight of their remaining games broadcast on ESPN internationally as part of a new deal struck Friday between the network and the National Women’s Soccer League.

For the remainder of the 2019 regular season and playoffs, ESPN will have exclusive rights to broadcast NWSL games internationally. The two entities already made an agreement for U.S. broadcast rights in early July in which ESPN networks would air 14 games.

"This is an important step for NWSL to strengthen the league's reach through ESPN's international network," NWSL president Amanda Duffy said in a league release. "Our partnership with ESPN has already brought NWSL's world-class competition into more homes and to more fans here in the United States. Expanding the network's distribution internationally will continue to elevate the profile and visibility of NWSL around the world.”

The agreement is for a total of 30 games across the entire NWSL. It includes broadcast on ESPN’s digital platforms.

“The National Women’s Soccer League is home to many of the world’s top female players, and as a brand, ESPN leads the way in delivering world-class soccer content to fans around the world,” Scott Guglielmino, senior vice president of programming and pcquisitions for ESPN said in the release. “We are thrilled to be able to leverage ESPN’s global reach to bring NWSL’s regular season and playoff matches to soccer audiences worldwide.”

The Royals play on the road Saturday against the Orlando Pride.

from The Salt Lake Tribune https://ift.tt/2Hbjmyq