Why running the WSL is the most exciting job in sports... in conversation with NewCo CEO Nikki Doucet
Apr 25, 2024
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Former Nike executive and CEO of NewCo, Nikki Doucet, shares her vision for the Women's Super League, discussing opportunities with NewCo, broadcast rights, equitable opportunities, fan engagement, and her overall vision for the league.
Nikki Doucet aims to transform the Women's Super League with a focus on equitable opportunities and tailored fan experiences.
Transition to NewCo brings independence, strategic management, and a shift towards professionalization for the Women's Super League.
Deep dives
Exciting Opportunity as CEO of NUCO
Nikki Dussep, CEO of NUCO, considers her role the most exciting in sports, driven by her lifelong passion for soccer since childhood. Her diverse background in banking and sports gear her with skills in stakeholder management and consumer obsession that she applies to grow the Women's Super League. The focus is on the unique fan base and athlete insights to differentiate women's football experience.
Transition to NUCO and Independence for WSL
The transition to NUCO marks the beginning of a new era for the Women's Super League, parting ways from the FA for more independence and focused management. Aligning clubs under a defined mission to build a distinctive, competitive, and entertaining league indicates a strategic shift towards professionalization and tailored fan experiences.
Path to Growth and Sustainability in Women's Football
Investment and strategy discussions dominate the narrative, emphasizing the need for long-term capital and partnership collaborations to drive growth in women's football. Equitable opportunities, visibility enhancements, and enhanced fan interactions are key focus areas to create sustainable competition and boost fan engagement.
Future Outlook and Partnerships
Despite the current transitional phase, the future outlook for the Women's Super League appears promising, with anticipated improvements in data-driven decision-making, tailored fan experiences, and strategic broadcasting partnerships. The long-term vision is centered around sustainable growth and market positioning in alignment with global women's football trends.
The Women's Super League is under new management and top of the org chart is former Nike executive Nikki Doucet. Speaking to Sam Carp at SportsPro Live 2024 the CEO of NewCo, the commercial entity that is set to take over running the top two tiers of English women's soccer, discusses her vision for the WSL and how the league can forge a new path for women's sports.
Talking points:
The opportunity for the NewCo with the WSL (2:02)
The broadcast rights picture and other revenue streams (10:18)
Investing in equitable opportunities (14:14)
Where and how the WSL reaches fans (22:58)
Doucet's vision for the WSL (25:03)
Reflections on the interview (27:03)
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