The WSL takeover has been a long time coming, but the wait is finally over. The 2024-25 Women’s Super League season is set to kick off on Friday, September 20, and with it, a new era for women’s football in England. The Women’s Professional Leagues Limited (WPLL), a new independent company owned by the clubs, has taken over the top two tiers of English women’s football, and its chief executive, Nikki Doucet, is confident that it can elevate the game to “unprecedented levels”.
Doucet, a former Nike director, has been at the helm of the WPLL since its inception, and she has big plans for the future of women’s football in England. “We are fiercely committed to building on this momentum by creating a thriving landscape which prioritises the welfare and development of players, fosters and excites a vibrant fan community, and nurtures the sport’s growth,” she said.
So, what does this mean for the future of women’s football in England? For starters, the WPLL will have full control over the Women’s Super League and Women’s Championship, with the power to make changes to the structure of the league, invest in new technology and officiating, and implement rule changes. The company will also be responsible for negotiating a new broadcast deal, with the current agreement with BBC Sport and Sky Sports set to expire at the end of the 2024-25 season.
What’s Changing in the WSL Takeover?
The WSL takeover is not just a change in ownership; it’s a complete overhaul of the way the league is run. The WPLL is a fully independent company, owned by the 23 clubs that compete in the Women’s Super League and Women’s Championship. Each club has a stake in the company, and they will all have a say in how the league is run.
The Premier League has also given the WPLL a £20m interest-free loan, which will be used to help the company get off the ground. The Premier League will also offer support in areas such as broadcasting, commercial, and football operations.
One of the biggest changes is the new board of directors, which includes Dawn Airey, who has overseen the two leagues within the FA since 2019. The board also includes Sean Cornwell, the former chief executive of magazine publisher Immediate Media, Maria Raga Frances, the former chief executive of online marketplace Depop, and Malcolm Kpedekpo, an ex-professional footballer who is a non-executive director of the Scottish Football Association.
Meet the New Leadership Team
The WPLL has also appointed a new leadership team, which includes a chief operating officer, interim chief marketing officer, chief football officer, and chief revenue officer. This team will report directly to Doucet and will be responsible for the day-to-day running of the league.
The new leadership team is made up of experienced professionals from a variety of backgrounds, including football, marketing, and finance. They will be responsible for implementing the changes that the WPLL wants to make to the league, and for ensuring that the league runs smoothly.
What’s Next for the WSL?
So, what’s next for the WSL? The new season is set to kick off on Friday, September 20, and the WPLL is already making plans for the future. The company is looking to increase investment in the league, improve the standard of football, and attract more fans.
The WPLL is also looking to increase the profile of the league, both domestically and internationally. The company is working with the FA and the Premier League to promote the league and to attract more fans.
The Future of Women’s Football in England
The WSL takeover is not just about the Women’s Super League; it’s about the future of women’s football in England. The WPLL is committed to creating a thriving landscape for women’s football, which prioritises the welfare and development of players, fosters and excites a vibrant fan community, and nurtures the sport’s growth.
The company is working with the FA and the Premier League to promote women’s football and to attract more fans. The WPLL is also working with clubs and leagues at all levels of the game to create a more cohesive and supportive environment for women’s football.
Investing in Women’s Football
The WPLL is committed to investing in women’s football, and to creating a more sustainable future for the game. The company is working with clubs and leagues to improve the standard of football, to increase investment, and to attract more fans.
The WPLL is also working with the FA and the Premier League to create more opportunities for women’s football, including more competitions, more international matches, and more investment in grassroots football.
A Bright Future Ahead
The future of women’s football in England is looking bright, thanks to the WSL takeover. The WPLL is committed to creating a thriving landscape for women’s football, and to creating a more sustainable future for the game.
With the new season set to kick off on Friday, September 20, the WPLL is already making plans for the future. The company is working with the FA and the Premier League to promote the league and to attract more fans.
The WPLL is also working with clubs and leagues at all levels of the game to create a more cohesive and supportive environment for women’s football. With the right investment, the right support, and the right leadership, the future of women’s football in England is looking brighter than ever.
Conclusion
The WSL takeover is a new era for women’s football in England. The WPLL is committed to creating a thriving landscape for women’s football, and to creating a more sustainable future for the game.
With the new season set to kick off on Friday, September 20, the WPLL is already making plans for the future. The company is working with the FA and the Premier League to promote the league and to attract more fans.
The future of women’s football in England is looking bright, thanks to the WSL takeover. With the right investment, the right support, and the right leadership, the future of women’s football in England is looking brighter than ever.