A new entity will take over ownership of the WSL and the Championship from the FA, a statement from the governing body of football in England has confirmed today.
There it was outlined that a new independent company, the Women’s Professional Leagues Limited (WPLL), will now assume responsibility for the Barclays Women’s Super League and Barclays Women’s Championship, in a landmark moment for the women’s game.
“For the first time in England, there is an independent and dedicated organisation with a singular focus on advancing women’s football,” the statement reads.
“This unique position allows the company to prioritise the sport’s development, ensuring that its executive leadership team is wholly committed to this mission,” it continues.
The CEO of this new company will be Nikki Doucet, a former Nike and Citigroup executive, and each club within the two leagues will act as part shareholder in the new company.
These two top tiers of women’s football in England were previously under the remit of the FA, with their transfer completed in the hopes that it “spearheads a new era in the sport, dedicated to driving growth and maximising potential, placing players and fans at its core.”
Speaking on the move, Doucet paid tribute to the FA’s work to date, but also looked to the future in which she aspires to elevate “women’s professional football in England to unprecedented levels.”
“As we embark on this exciting journey, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to the FA for its outstanding work in developing the sport. We look forward to building upon this solid foundation,” she says.
“The next successful era of the women’s professional game will be built on the foundations of collaboration and we are excited to work together with all stakeholders to drive transformational and sustainable growth across our leagues by leveraging the distinctive qualities, values and principles which exist in the women’s game.
“Women’s football in England has witnessed unprecedented growth in recent years, marked by increased fan engagement, rising attendance at matches, and a surge in participation at all levels. 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.”
On the news of the change in ownership of the WSL and the Championship, Mark Bullingham, the Chief Executive of the FA also touched on the growth of the women’s game to date, and the potential it holds going forward.
“We are very proud of the growth that, together with the clubs, we have driven in the women’s professional game. I would like to thank everyone who has worked tirelessly to establish and evolve our leagues to be amongst the best in the world,” he says.
“Now is the opportunity for Nikki to lead the next phase of growth, with an independent company purely focused on women’s professional football. I have no doubt that she and the team will take the leagues to new heights and we look forward to supporting them on this exciting journey,” he adds.
Dawn Airey, the Chair of the Women’s Professional Leagues Limited Board of Directors also commented, describing how they are “excited to harness the full potential of women’s football.”
“We know that with a unified vision and collaborative effort, we can shape an exhilarating future for women’s football, inspiring and delighting both the current and next generation of players and fans,” she says.
The Premier League's role in the new ownership of the WSL and the Championship
The WPLL have also announced that they will engage and be supported by the Premier League “through a cooperation and funding agreement”, which builds on the £21 million the Premier League has invested previously into developing the women’s and girls’ game between 2022 and 2025.
This collaboration is to include a £20 million interest-free loan to invest in the development of recruitment and other long-term projects, as well as the interchange of information in areas such as broadcasting, commercial and football operations.
Providing his thoughts on the announcement, Premier League Chief Executive, Richard Masters, spoke of how “this is a key moment in the development of the professional women’s game in England.”
“We are pleased to be able to support Women’s Professional Leagues Limited both financially and by providing expertise in a number of key areas,” he says.
“The Premier League is proud to develop the game at all levels and in recent years we have enhanced our support for women’s and girls’ football.
This ranges from investing in the development of pathways for young players to support for the professional game. We look forward to being closely involved in this exciting period for women’s football.”
