ESPN announced Thursday that it will launch a new prime-time programming block featuring women’s professional sports after losing its long-running baseball broadcast to a competitor network.
The sports network will debut “Women’s Sports Sundays” this summer, featuring live coverage from the WNBA and National Women’s Soccer League along with studio programming. The new format will include 12 live contests and related segments spanning nine weeks.
NBC secured the rights to Sunday evening baseball coverage, ending ESPN’s 36-year run with the weekly broadcast. The agreement between ESPN and Major League Baseball was terminated three years ahead of its original expiration date. NBC has secured broadcasting rights for Sunday baseball through 2028 at minimum.
ESPN executives believe they’re capitalizing on growing interest in women’s professional athletics.
“Women’s sports are experiencing continued momentum, and ‘Women’s Sports Sundays’ is ESPN’s next step in meeting that demand,” stated Rosalyn Durant, the network’s executive vice president of programming and acquisitions.
“This franchise is about more than showcasing games — it’s about building a consistent, high-profile destination that reflects the passion, excellence and cultural impact of women’s sports today, while giving athletes and leagues the stage they deserve,” Durant added.
The network has not yet revealed which specific games will be featured or who will handle broadcast duties.
According to industry reports, ESPN may expand the Sunday evening lineup to include women’s college basketball and other sports properties in upcoming seasons.
The women’s soccer league kicks off its season March 13 and runs through November. The NWSL has grown to 16 teams with new franchises in Boston and Denver joining this year.
Women’s basketball teams are set to begin training camps April 19, with the season scheduled to start May 8. However, ongoing labor negotiations could potentially delay the season’s launch. The players’ union contract expired in January, and discussions over revenue distribution and pay structures have made little headway.
