WSL weeks away from start of new era under football body led by former Nike director
A club-owned organisation taking charge of women’s football’s top two tiers in England is set to be up and running from next season.
The body named NewCo, will take over management of the WSL and Women’s Championship before the September start of the 2024-25 campaign.
Its takeover is set to be completed ahead of the Women’s Championship resuming on September 7-8 and WSL matches commencing two weekends later.
The move will see NewCo take up the reins from the FA following the authority being in charge of the WSL and second tier since 2010 and 2014.
It will also come ten months after the appointment of former Nike director Nikki Doucet as NewCo’s chief executive.
Over the past 14 years the FA has overseen the development and professionalisation of both divisions.
This includes leading the brokering of multimillion pound domestic broadcast deals for WSL games to be aired on Sky Sports and the BBC.
NewCo’s first board meeting will be held in September and followed by an inaugural gathering for their shareholders in October.
There are also plans to establish a fans’ advisory group at a date yet to be specified.
A number of senior officials have been hired to support the running of NewCo. An interim chief marketing officer is in post and chief football officer has been recruited.
And a chief revenue officer is due to start working for the organisation on September 2.
NewCo’s takeover of the women’s games’ top two divisions will coincide with WSL matches being streamed on YouTube next season.
Although league fixtures will transition from being aired on FA Player, the online platform will continue to host live Women’s FA Cup games.