WSL struggles to broadcast Saturday games during 3pm blackout

The Women’s Super League (WSL) has faced significant challenges in broadcasting matches during the traditional 3pm Saturday blackout, a rule established in the 1960s to protect match attendance. Nikki Doucet, the chief executive of Women’s Professional Leagues Limited, indicated that efforts to lift this blackout have been unsuccessful due to UEFA regulations that allow leagues to designate blackout periods. In the UK, this blackout runs from 2.45pm to 5.15pm on Saturdays, complicating the scheduling of women’s football broadcasts amidst a crowded men’s football schedule. The Karen Carney-led review of women’s football recommended considering 3pm Saturday slots for matches, but the inability to secure these times has negatively impacted the value of broadcast rights for the women’s game. Currently, the rights for the 2024-25 season have been extended from the previous season, shared between Sky and the BBC, while WPLL is actively seeking a new deal for the 2025-26 season and beyond. Doucet expressed urgency in securing a favorable broadcasting deal, highlighting the significant investments made by current partners, BBC and Sky. Additionally, the WPLL has received a £20 million interest-free loan from the Premier League, which is intended to support growth and meet revenue thresholds over a longer timeframe. The cooperation agreement with the Premier League includes representation on the WPLL board, which is crucial for enhancing dialogue and governance in women’s professional football. However, WPLL lacks representation on the FA board, which is essential for funding allocation and discussions with major stakeholders like FIFA and UEFA regarding scheduling issues.