January 28 – WSL Football, the independent business running Women’s Super League and Women’s Championship and which is owned by the clubs, has reported an operating loss of £8.2 million in its first year.
The company, established in August 2024, published accounts for the season ending 31 July 2025. Revenue totalled £17.4 million, split equally between broadcasting (£8.4 million) and sponsorship/licensing (£8.5 million). WSL Football described the loss as “anticipated for a new entity focused on protecting and supporting as many clubs as possible,” highlighting the costs involved in transitioning to a standalone organisational model.
While the first-year results appear concerning, the league insists the commercial trajectory is strong.
WSL Football claims revenue has already tripled since taking over, thanks to “increased rights fees from Barclays, Sky Sports and the BBC plus new deals with Nike, British Gas, Apple and Mercedes Benz-UK,” which will appear in the 2025-26 accounts.
CEO Nikki Doucet said: “We are at the beginning of a long‑term growth journey, underpinned by a clear strategic vision and increased commercial platform. What we have achieved in a short space of time is remarkable and our prospects for the future are positive.”
The statement underscores both optimism and caution. WSL Football has laid a foundation for investment and club support, but sustaining profitability, ensuring competitive balance, and managing rising operational costs will be crucial tests. The league’s ability to cope will depend on whether the projected commercial growth translates into stable, predictable revenue streams, or whether the first-year losses are a warning sign of deeper structural pressures in the women’s professional game.
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