“I need to get out of here“, said Ali Krieger while announcing her retirement plans. Her reason for stepping away from the beautiful game was ‘little injuries and muscle strains‘. Nevertheless, the icon had a fairytale ending to her career as she clinched the NWSL title in her final game on November 11, 2023, after beating Seattle Reign. However, the 108-cap USWNT international is set to make her return. But, in a role that we are not accustomed to seeing her!

The National Women’s Soccer League season kicks off on March 16. Following the historic $240 million broadcasting deal, a lot of exciting changes are expected this time around, with Krieger’s return being one of them.

Ali Krieger set to ‘elevate’ the NWSL coverage

It has been confirmed by ESPN that Ali Krieger will be part of their team covering the upcoming NWSL season. Her role is that of a studio analyst across ABC and ESPN platforms and she will be offering her insights on shows like SportsCenter, ESPN FC, Fútbol Americas, and some of the digital platforms like ESPNW. Moreover, this is a role that she has experience in after being the lead studio voice for ESPN during the 2023 Women’s World Cup.

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Other high-profile broadcasters like Emmy award winner Jenn Hildreth, English player Lianne Sanderson, and veteran coach Natalia Astrain will join Ali Krieger. ESPN Deportes Senior Vice-President, Rodolfo Martinez is thrilled to have the trio on board. He explained, “Their fresh off-the-field insight and in-depth knowledge of the sport will inform, entertain, and elevate our coverage of the league. Collectively, their voices will represent our ambition for the NWSL.” Likewise, Ali Krieger is equally excited about the opportunity.

She revealed, “It is a thrill to join the gold standard in ESPN as they continue to invest in the future of soccer and women’s sport.” Undoubtedly, the $240M media rights deal played a key role in attracting personalities like the USWNT icon. However, its benefits extend far beyond that.

How the $240 million broadcasting deal is set to revolutionize the NWSL!

It was in November 2023 that the National Women’s Soccer League announced a 4-year distribution agreement with 4 channels. They are ESPN, CBS, Amazon Prime Video, and Scripps Sports. The annual fee charged is $60 million, totaling $240 million across 4 years. The revenue is 40x what was obtained from the previous agreement exclusively with CBS. Moreover, the $60 million obtained annually will be equally shared between the teams ($4.3 million). This is a significant injection of cash considering that MLS teams obtain only $3.2 million annually from Apple TV!

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The benefits are not just restricted to financials alone. Having cross-platform coverage will provide the NWSL with an unprecedented level of exposure. Considering that viewership was already at record-breaking levels in 2023, this only bodes well for the future.

Are you excited to watch Ali Krieger on ESPN? Share your thoughts on the story below.

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