The Varsity Women’s Soccer’s Billion-Dollar Glow-Up
Mar 9, 2025
Jessica Berman, the Commissioner of the NWSL, dives into the impressive growth of women's soccer, highlighting record attendance and a dramatic rise in TV viewership. She emphasizes the role of storytelling in engaging fans and building cultural relevance. The discussion covers the league's groundbreaking media rights deals, which skyrocketed game sales 40-fold, and the implications of high-profile transfers like Naomi Girma's $1.1 million move. Berman's insights reveal the strategic focus needed to further expand and elevate women's soccer.
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Power of Coordinated Leadership
- Jessica Berman emphasizes the power of coordination among many contributors to the NWSL's success.
- Her role is to empower and clear obstacles, recognizing the collective ecosystem's importance.
Leverage Storytelling for Fans
- To grow fan engagement, focus on storytelling to bring athlete stories and community ties to life.
- Use original content strategically to reach fans beyond the core audience.
Trinity Rodman's Star-making Journey
- Trinity Rodman’s authentic story in the Amazon docuseries and mainstream podcasts boosted her star power.
- This exposure helped casual fans connect with her and sparked wider interest in watching NWSL games.