La National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) ha annunciato importanti accordi pluriennali sui diritti dei media, in cui CBS Sports e Twitch hanno acquisito i diritti per presentare in esclusiva tutte le partite della NWSL per i prossimi tre anni, a partire dalla stagione 2020.
CBS Sports trasmetterà un totale di 87 partite NWSL nel 2020 su CBS, CBS Sports Network e CBS All Access, abbonamento on demand di CBS e il servizio di streaming live.
I punti salienti includono gli incontri di aperturadella stagione NWSL e il Championship Game sulla rete televisiva CBS; 14 partite su CBS Sports Network, comprese entrambe le semifinali; e 71 partite aggiuntivi su CBS All Access. Tutte le partite offerte su CBS All Access saranno disponibili per gli abbonati online su CBS.com, sui dispositivi mobili tramite l’app CBS e su tutti i principali dispositivi e piattaforme TV collegati. L’accordo con la CBS segna la prima volta che una rete televisiva statunitense presenterà una copertura nazionale in diretta del calcio professionistico femminile negli Stati Uniti.
Inoltre, Twitch presenterà 24 partite selezionate e gratuite durante la stagione regolare NWSL 2020. Twitch fungerà anche da esclusivo partner internazionale per i diritti dei media della NWSL al di fuori degli Stati Uniti, mettendo a disposizione degli spettatori globali tutte le 108 partite della stagione regolare, i playoff e il campionato.
NWSL e Twitch collaboreranno su contenuti aggiuntivi relativi alla lega, alle giocatrici ed esclusive per migliorare l’esperienza complessiva di visualizzazione dei fan e continuare a far crescere il calcio professionistico femminile in tutto il mondo.
“La NWSL è entusiasta di collaborare con CBS Sports e Twitch, due incredibili società di media con una comprovata esperienza di copertura pluripremiata”, ha dichiarato Lisa Baird, Commissaria della NWSL. “Questo nuovo accordo sui diritti dei media è un momento fondamentale per il calcio femminile negli Stati Uniti e in tutto il mondo ed è la prima volta che le partite NWSL saranno disponibili per un pubblico così vasto. Siamo entusiasti di lavorare con CBS con la sua ricca storia, tradizione e leggendaria innovazione per sfruttare la potenza delle loro piattaforme multiple per raggiungere più fan. Siamo anche fieri di collaborare con Twitch per mostrare le stelle più brillanti di questo sport. Queste partnership continueranno ad amplificare la NWSL e i suoi team su un palcoscenico nazionale e internazionale”.
“Siamo entusiasti di collaborare con la National Women’s Soccer League, portando uno dei migliori campionati sportivi femminili a CBS Sports”, ha dichiarato Dan Weinberg, EVP, Programmazione, CBS Sports. “Questo accordo mostrerà la forza delle risorse multipiattaforma della CBS attraverso trasmissione, via cavo e digitale di partite di livello, tra cui Semifinali e Campionato NWSL a CBS, CBS Sports Network e CBS All Access. Non vediamo l’ora di utilizzare la nostra portata su tutte le nostre piattaforme per risaltare molte delle migliori giocatori di calcio del mondo”.
“L’aggiunta di questa vasta gamma di partite NWSL a CBS All Access è un altro passo importante mentre continuiamo a rafforzare la nostra crescente gamma di programmi sportivi esclusivi”, ha dichiarato Jeffrey Gerttula, EVP e GM, CBS Sports Digital. “Siamo molto lieti di offrire queste partite principali ai nostri abbonati su tutte le piattaforme e di aiutare ad ampliare la portata del calcio femminile negli Stati Uniti e in Canada“.
“Non potremmo essere più entusiasti di collaborare con la NWSL mentre espandiamo ulteriormente i nostri contenuti sportivi su Twitch”, ha affermato Michael Aragon, SVP di Content presso Twitch. “Queste giocatrici sono tra le più grandi atlete nel loro sport di tutto il mondo e siamo entusiasti che la NWSL abbia scelto Twitch come casa per costruire una più grande comunità di appassionati di calcio”.
La copertura della stagione 2020 della NWSL inizia sabato 18 aprile alle 13:00 ET su CBS e CBS All Access, quando Megan Rapinoe e OL Reign affrontano Rose Lavelle e i Washington Spirit all’Audi Field di Washington, DC. Segue una rivincita della partita di campionato dell’anno scorso tra Julie Ertz e Chicago Red Stars e Sam Mewis e il North Carolina Courage sabato 18 aprile alle 19:00 ET su Twitch. CBS All Access trasmetterà esclusivamente due partite aggiuntive durante il weekend di apertura, tra cui la partita del sabato sera (22:30 ET) quando Tobin Heath e Christen Press e Utah Royals FC ospitano il Portland Thorns FC.
Con oltre 200 tra le migliori calciatrici professioniste del mondo, tra cui i membri della squadra Nazionale femminile degli Stati Uniti e due volte campionesse della FIFA Women’s World Cup: Megan Rapinoe, Carli Lloyd, Julie Ertz e Alex Morgan, nonché le star internazionali Marta e Christine Sinclair, la NWSL esalta la presenza di 23 attuali campioni della FIFA Women’s World Cup e 58 membri della presenti alla FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Gli accordi sui diritti dei media tra CBS Sports e Twitch sono stati negoziati da Octagon, per conto della NWSL.
2020 NWSL CBS, CBS SPORTS NETWORK, e CBS ALL ACCESS SCHEDULE (Orari ET)
(Piattaforme soggette a cambiamento. Cinque partite su CBS Sport Network verranno aggiunte successivamente)
| DATE | GAME | VENUE | PLATFORM | TIME |
| Saturday, April 18 | Washington Spirit – OL Reign | Audi Field | CBS | 1 p.m. |
| Saturday, April 18 | Portland Thorns FC – Utah Royals FC | Providence Park | CBS All Access | 10:30 p.m. |
| Sunday, April 19 | Orlando Pride – Sky Blue FC | Exploria Stadium | CBS All Access | 5 p.m. |
| Friday, April 24 | Utah Royals FC – Orlando Pride | Rio Tinto Stadium | CBS Sports Network | 10 p.m. |
| Saturday, April 25 | Houston Dash – North Carolina Courage | BBVA Stadium | CBS All Access | 8:30 p.m. |
| Sunday, April 26 | Sky Blue FC – OL Reign | Red Bull Arena | CBS All Access | 5 p.m. |
| Wednesday, April 29 | North Carolina Courage – Portland Thorns FC | Sahlen’s Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park | CBS Sports Network | 7 p.m. |
| Saturday, May 2 | Orlando Pride – North Carolina Courage | Exploria Stadium | CBS All Access | 7:30 p.m. |
| Sunday, May 3 | OL Reign – Chicago Red Stars | Cheney Stadium | CBS All Access | 4 p.m. |
| Sunday. May 3 | Houston Dash – Sky Blue FC | BBVA Stadium | CBS All Access | 8 p.m. |
| Wednesday, May 6 | Portland Thorns – Orlando Pride | Providence Park | CBS All Access | 10:30 p.m. |
| Saturday, May 9 | Sky Blue FC – Washington Spirit | Red Bull Arena | CBS Sports Network | 4 p.m. |
| Saturday, May 9 | Chicago Red Stars – Utah Royals FC | SeatGeek Stadium | CBS All Access | 8 p.m. |
| Saturday, May 9 | Portland Thorns FC – Houston Dash | Providence Park | CBS All Access | 10:30 p.m. |
| Wednesday, May 13 | Sky Blue FC – North Carolina Courage | Red Bull Arena | CBS All Access | 7:30 p.m. |
| Wednesday, May 13 | Washington Spirit – Chicago Red Stars | Maryland SoccerPlex | CBS All Access | 7:30 p.m. |
| Saturday, May 16 | Portland Thorns FC – OL Reign | Providence Park | CBS Sports Network | 4:30 p.m. |
| Saturday, May 16 | Houston Dash – Utah Royals FC | BBVA Stadium | CBS All Access | 8:30 p.m. |
| Sunday, May 17 | Chicago Red Stars – Orlando Pride | SeatGeek Stadium | CBS All Access | 6 p.m. |
| Friday, May 22 | Utah Royals FC – Portland Thorns FC | Rio Tinto Stadium | CBS Sports Network | 10 p.m. |
| Saturday, May 23 | North Carolina Courage – Orlando Pride | Sahlen’s Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park | CBS All Access | 7 p.m. |
| Sunday, May 24 | Sky Blue FC – Houston Dash | Red Bull Arena | CBS All Access | 3 p.m. |
| Wednesday, May 27 | Orlando Pride – Houston Dash | Exploria Stadium | CBS All Access | 7 p.m. |
| Wednesday, May 27 | OL Reign – Utah Royals FC | Cheney Stadium | CBS All Access | 10 p.m. |
| Saturday, May 30 | Utah Royals FC – Chicago Red Stars | Rio Tinto Stadium | CBS All Access | 3:30 p.m. |
| Saturday, May 30 | Houston Dash – North Carolina Courage | BBVA Stadium | CBS All Access | 8:30 p.m. |
| Saturday, May 30 | Portland Thorns – Sky Blue FC | Providence Park | CBS All Access | 10:30 p.m. |
| Friday, June 12 | Portland Thorns – OL Reign | Providence Park | CBS Sports Network | 10 p.m. |
| Saturday, June 13 | North Carolina Courage – Washington Spirit | Sahlen’s Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park | CBS All Access | 7 p.m. |
| Saturday, June 13 | Utah Royals FC – Orlando Pride | Rio Tinto Stadium | CBS All Access | 9:30 p.m. |
| Wednesday, June 17 | Houston Dash – Washington Spirit | BBVA Stadium | CBS All Access | 8:30 p.m. |
| Friday, June 19 | OL Reign – Orlando Pride | Cheney Stadium | CBS Sports Network | 10 p.m. |
| Saturday, June 20 | Sky Blue FC – Utah Royals FC | Red Bull Arena | CBS All Access | 5 p.m. |
| Sunday, June 21 | Chicago Red Stars – Houston Dash | SeatGeek Stadium | CBS All Access | 6 p.m. |
| Friday, June 26 | Orlando Pride – Washington Spirit | Exploria Stadium | CBS All Access | 7 p.m. |
| Saturday, June 27 | Chicago Red Stars – North Carolina Courage | SeatGeek Stadium | CBS All Access | 8 p.m. |
| Sunday, June 28 | Houston Dash – Portland Thorns FC | BBVA Stadium | CBS All Access | 7 p.m. |
| Friday, July 3 | Washington Spirit – Sky Blue FC | Segra Field | CBS All Access | 7:30 p.m. |
| Friday, July 3 | Utah Royals FC – Houston Dash | Rio Tinto Stadium | CBS All Access | 10 p.m. |
| Sunday, July 5 | Orlando Pride – Portland Thorns FC | Exploria Stadium | CBS All Access | 5 p.m. |
| Friday, July 10 | North Carolina Courage – Utah Royals FC | Sahlen’s Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park | CBS All Access | 7 p.m. |
| Friday, July 10 | Houston Dash – Chicago Red Stars | BBVA Stadium | CBS All Access | 8:30 p.m. |
| Sunday, July 12 | Orlando Pride – OL Reign | Exploria Stadium | CBS All Access | 5 p.m. |
| Saturday, July 18 | Chicago Red Stars – Orlando Pride | SeatGeek Stadium | CBS All Access | 8 p.m. |
| Saturday, July 18 | Utah Royals FC – Washington Spirit | Rio Tinto Stadium | CBS All Access | 9:30 p.m. |
| Sunday, July 19 | Houston Dash – OL Reign | BBVA Stadium | CBS All Access | 7 p.m. |
| Saturday, August 1 | North Carolina Courage – Portland Thorns FC | Sahlen’s Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park | CBS All Access | 7 p.m. |
| Sunday, August 2 | Orlando Pride – Utah Royals FC | Exploria Stadium | CBS All Access | 5 p.m. |
| Sunday, August 2 | OL Reign – Chicago Red Stars | Cheney Stadium | CBS All Access | 7 p.m. |
| Friday, August 7 | Orlando Pride – Sky Blue FC | Exploria Stadium | CBS All Access | 7 p.m. |
| Saturday, August 8 | Washington Spirit – North Carolina Courage | Segra Field | CBS All Access | 7 p.m. |
| Sunday, August 9 | Portland Thorns – Chicago Red Stars | Providence Park | CBS All Access | 10:30 p.m. |
| Friday, August 14 | Utah Royals FC – North Carolina Courage | Rio Tinto Stadium | CBS All Access | 9:30 p.m. |
| Saturday, August 15 | Chicago Red Stars – Washington Spirit | SeatGeek Stadium | CBS All Access | 8 p.m. |
| Sunday, August 16 | Sky Blue FC – Houston Dash | Red Bull Arena | CBS All Access | 6 p.m. |
| Friday, August 21 | Orlando Pride – OL Reign | Exploria Stadium | CBS All Access | 7 p.m. |
| Sunday, August 23 | Chicago Red Stars – Sky Blue FC | SeatGeek Stadium | CBS All Access | 6 p.m. |
| Wednesday, August 26 | OL Reign FC – Houston Dash | Cheney Stadium | CBS All Access | 10 p.m. |
| Saturday, August 29 | North Carolina Courage – Chicago Red Stars | Sahlen’s Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park | CBS All Access | 7 p.m. |
| Sunday, August 30 | Orlando Pride – Houston Dash | Exploria Stadium | CBS All Access | 5 p.m. |
| Sunday, August 30 | Washington Spirit – Sky Blue FC | Audi Field | CBS All Access | 5 p.m. |
| Wednesday, September 2 | Chicago Red Stars – Portland Thorns FC | SeatGeek Stadium | CBS All Access | 8 p.m. |
| Friday, September 4 | Houston Dash – Washington Spirit | BBVA Stadium | CBS All Access | 8:30 p.m. |
| Sunday, September 6 | Portland Thorns FC – North Carolina Courage | Providence Park | CBS All Access | 4 p.m. |
| Sunday, September 6 | Chicago Red Stars – OL Reign | SeatGeek Stadium | CBS All Access | 6 p.m. |
| Wednesday, September 9 | Washington Spirit – Orlando Pride | Maryland SoccerPlex | CBS All Access | 7:30 p.m. |
| Saturday, September 12 | Washington Spirit – Portland Thorns FC | Segra Field | CBS All Access | 7 p.m. |
| Sunday, September 13 | North Carolina Courage – Utah Royals FC | Sahlen’s Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park | CBS All Access | 5 p.m. |
| Sunday, September 13 | Sky Blue FC – OL Reign | Red Bull Arena | CBS All Access | 5 p.m. |
| Friday, September 25 | Orlando Pride – Chicago Red Stars | Exploria Stadium | CBS All Access | 7 p.m. |
| Friday, September 25 | Utah Royals FC – Washington Spirit | Rio Tinto Stadium | CBS All Access | 9:30 p.m. |
| Saturday, September 26 | OL Reign – Houston Dash | Cheney Stadium | CBS All Access | 10 p.m. |
| Wednesday, September 30 | North Carolina Courage – Sky Blue FC | Sahlen’s Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park | CBS All Access | 7:30 p.m. |
| Wednesday, September 30 | Utah Royals FC – Chicago Red Stars | Rio Tinto Stadium | CBS All Access | 9:30 p.m. |
| Saturday, October 3 | Sky Blue FC – Orlando Pride | Red Bull Arena | CBS All Access | 6 p.m. |
| Sunday, October 4 | OL Reign – North Carolina Courage | Cheney Stadium | CBS All Access | 4 p.m. |
| Sunday, October 4 | Chicago Red Stars – Houston Dash | SeatGeek Stadium | CBS All Access | 6 p.m. |
| Wednesday, October 7 | Utah Royals FC – OL Reign | Rio Tinto Stadium | CBS All Access | 9:30 p.m. |
| Friday, October 9 | Houston Dash – Portland Thorns FC | BBVA Stadium | CBS All Access | 8:30 p.m. |
| Saturday, October 10 | Orlando Pride – North Carolina Courage | Exploria Stadium | CBS All Access | 7:30 p.m. |
| Sunday, October 11 | Sky Blue FC – Utah Royals FC | Red Bull Arena | CBS All Access | 5 p.m. |
| Saturday, October 17 | North Carolina Courage – Houston Dash | Sahlen’s Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park | CBS All Access | 7 p.m. |
| Sunday, October 18 | Portland Thorns – Utah Royals FC | Providence Park | CBS All Access | 3:30 p.m. |
| Sunday, October 18 | OL Reign – Washington Spirit | Cheney Stadium | CBS All Access | 3:30 p.m. |
| Sunday, November 8 | NWSL Semifinals | TBD | CBS Sports Network | 1 p.m. |
| Sunday, November 8 | NWSL Semifinals | TBD | CBS Sports Network | 7 p.m. |
| Saturday, November 14 | NWSL Championship | TBD | CBS | TBD |
2020 NWSL TWITCH TELEVISION SCHEDULE (All Times ET)
| DATE | GAME | VENUE | PLATFORM | TIME |
| Saturday, April 18 | North Carolina Courage – Chicago Red Stars | Sahlen’s Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park | Twitch | 7 p.m. |
| Saturday, April 25 | Chicago Red Stars – Portland Thorns FC | SeatGeek Stadium | Twitch | 7 p.m. |
| Saturday, May 2 | Washington Spirit – Utah Royals FC | Maryland SoccerPlex | Twitch | 7 p.m. |
| Saturday, May 9 | OL Reign – North Carolina Courage | Cheney Stadium | Twitch | 7 p.m. |
| Saturday, May 16 | North Carolina Courage – Washington Spirit | Sahlen’s Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park | Twitch | 7 p.m. |
| Saturday, May 23 | OL Reign – Washington Spirit | Cheney Stadium | Twitch | 7 p.m. |
| Saturday, May 30 | Washington Spirit – Orlando Pride | Segra Field | Twitch | 7 p.m. |
| Saturday, June 13 | Sky Blue FC – Chicago Red Stars | Red Bull Arena | Twitch | 7 p.m. |
| Saturday, June 20 | Washington Spirit – Portland Thorns FC | Audi Field | Twitch | 7 p.m. |
| Saturday, June 27 | OL Reign – Sky Blue FC | Cheney Stadium | Twitch | 8:30 p.m. |
| Saturday, July 4 | North Carolina Courage – OL Reign | Sahlen’s Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park | Twitch | 7:30 p.m. |
| Saturday, July 11 | Portland Thorns FC – Sky Blue FC | Providence Park | Twitch | 10:30 p.m. |
| Saturday, July 18 | Sky Blue FC – North Carolina Courage | Red Bull Arena | Twitch | 7 p.m. |
| Saturday, August 1 | Washington Spirit – Houston Dash | Maryland SoccerPlex | Twitch | 7 p.m. |
| Saturday, August 8 | Utah Royals FC – OL Reign | Rio Tinto Stadium | Twitch | 7 p.m. |
| Saturday, August 15 | Portland Thorns FC – Orlando Pride | Providence Park | Twitch | 10:30 p.m. |
| Saturday, August 22 | Houston Dash – Utah Royals FC | BBVA Stadium | Twitch | 7 p.m. |
| Saturday, August 29 | OL Reign – Portland Thorns FC | Cheney Stadium | Twitch | 3 p.m. |
| Saturday, Sept. 5 | Utah Royals FC – Sky Blue FC | Rio Tinto Stadium | Twitch | 7 p.m. |
| Saturday, Sept. 12 | Houston Dash – Orlando Pride | BBVA Stadium | Twitch | 7 p.m. |
| Saturday, Sept. 26 | Sky Blue FC – Portland Thorns FC | Red Bull Arena | Twitch | 7 p.m. |
| Saturday, Oct. 3 | Portland Thorns FC – Washington Spirit | Providence Park | Twitch | 10:30 p.m. |
| Saturday, Oct. 10 | Washington Spirit – Chicago Red Stars | Audi Field | Twitch | 7 p.m. |
| Saturday, Oct. 17 | Chicago Red Stars – Sky Blue FC | SeatGeek Stadium | Twitch | 7 p.m. |
