The Varsity NWSL’s Big-League Breakout
19 snips
Nov 16, 2025 
Jessica Berman, the Commissioner of the National Women's Soccer League, dives into the league's remarkable growth, including skyrocketing TV ratings and record-breaking crowds. She discusses the innovative media strategy that emphasizes accessibility and collaboration with multiple platforms. Upcoming expansions to cities like Boston and Denver are also on the table, along with how the Men's World Cup could elevate interest in women's soccer. Berman highlights the league's commitment to promoting its stars and ensuring integrity amid the rise of sports betting.
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League Growth Is Clear And Demographic-Driven
- The NWSL has posted record growth in TV viewership and attendance across multiple seasons.
- Jessica Berman highlights younger, disproportionately female audiences as key tailwinds for future growth.
Be Ubiquitous To Grow Discovery
- Do make rights widely available rather than locking into one partner to maximize discovery and promotion.
- Jessica says ubiquity across partners helps the NWSL reach fans who might find the league on different networks or platforms.
Rights Holders Double As Marketers
- Media partners are also promotional engines with editorial platforms that extend reach.
- The NWSL leverages partner content to feed a fan-finding flywheel rather than relying solely on league marketing.