Women’s Super League pay price for delaying TV rights auction as clubs question negotiating strategy..

Women’s Super League pay price for delaying TV rights auction as clubs question negotiating strategy..

The new Women’s Super League TV contract announced today represents a major victory for rights holders Sky Sports and the BBC, with many clubs questioning the WSL board’s negotiating strategy. As a much bigger deal was discussed last year.

Both Sky and the BBC have managed to get more live games in one-year extensions than they have been paying over the past three years, by £7 million and £750,000 respectively.

Adding to the frustration felt by some clubs, MailSport has learned that the WSL last year negotiated a three-year package from Sky and the BBC.

While a formal offer has not been made, it is understood that talks have focused on a potential deal which would see the clubs receive a combined fee of £9m over the first two years of the deal from Sky and the BBC, before That could increase to £10m. To reflect expected growth in viewing figures over the last year.