WSL clubs push for quick FA split to boost post-Women’s Euro 2022 commercial outlook

Aug 3, 2022 | News

Clubs in English soccer’s Women’s Super League (WSL) are pushing for a quick split from the Football Association (FA) amid fears the national governing body will not be able to fully capitalise on England’s Uefa Women’s Euro 2022 win, according to The Telegraph.

Last month, the FA said it was still planning to eventually give up ownership of the WSL and is exploring its options. The Daily Mail had reported that the governing body turned down a $183m bid from an unnamed private equity firm to form a rebranded league.

The majority of teams in the top flight reportedly urged for the appointment of a new independent chief executive for the WSL, which is currently run by the FA, at a meeting between clubs and the organisation last week.

However, the FA’s director of women’s soccer Baroness Sue Campbell later denied the Daily Mail report, explaining that the gap between the potential private equity investment and the governing body’s funding ambition was around $30.5m.

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“We involved Rothschild to explore the gap between what we felt we wanted to invest to really grow the game and where we were [in terms of ability to secure a suitable investment],” Campbell told The Guardian. “They came back and advised us not to do private equity at this time.”

She added: “We don’t want to launch an independent company until we’re sure of its sustainability financially. To be honest, that won’t come until we get the next broadcast deal. That’s a couple of years away. We will do this – which is essentially an interim structure – from January 2023 through to 2026 when hopefully we can get it right.”

Now, The Telegraph reports that clubs are worried about the FA’s timeframe and that the governing body keeping control until 2026 would mean the WSL missing out on the chance to harness the momentum from England’s victory at Women’s Euro 2022.

The report says teams are fearful that there is insufficient business expertise at the FA to secure the best commercial and broadcast deals. The WSL is about to enter the second season of its three-year rights deal with Sky Sports and the BBC, which is worth around UK£7 million (US$8.5 million) and UK£8 million (US$9.7 million) annually. According to The Telegraph, clubs believe only a chief executive with extensive business experience will help them negotiate the best possible deal for the next rights cycle.

Source: SportsPro

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