The 2024-25 Women’s Super League season will kick off on Friday 20 September. [Getty Images]
The chief executive of the new club-owned independent company that has taken control of the top two leagues in English women’s football says it can take the game to “unprecedented levels”.
The Women’s Professional League Limited (WPLL) now manages the Women’s Super League and Women’s Championship, claiming to usher in a “new era” for the sport.
The WPLL, known as NewCo before the deal was signed, will be led by former Nike director Nikki Doucet, who said women’s football in England has experienced “unprecedented growth” but can grow even further.
“We are committed to building on this momentum by prioritizing the welfare and development of our players, nurturing and inspiring a vibrant fan community, and creating a thriving environment that fosters the growth of our sport,” Doucet said.
Now that the ownership change is complete, BBC Sport looks at what’s changed and what’s next.
What changes will happen immediately?
Doucet currently oversees England’s top two leagues and is also chairman of the association that owns the clubs competing in each division.
There are other differences, such as the Premier League funding the WPLL.
The WPLL is fully independent from the Football Association and has full control over its two divisions.
Each of the 23 clubs (12 in the WSL and 11 in the Championship) owns a share.
The Premier League has given the WPLL a £20 million interest-free loan.
The Premier League will provide support in areas including broadcasting, commercial and football operations.
A new committee was formed to manage the organization.
The FA will hold a “special allocation” and will be entitled to a portion of revenue once thresholds are met, to reinvest in grassroots women’s and girls’ football projects.
What else do you have planned?
Firstly, the company is unlikely to continue to be called WPLL for much longer and a name change is likely to occur in the near future.
The Premier League will have a seat on the new board but only until the £20 million loan is repaid.
WPLL is in charge of negotiating new broadcast deals, with current rights deals with BBC Sport and Sky Sports expiring at the end of the 2024-25 season.
Now that the WPLL has full control, it can change the league’s structure, invest in new technology and referees, and implement rule changes.
Who are the new board members?
Dawn Airey, who has overseen the FA’s two leagues since 2019, is a member of the new board.
It has seats on both the FA and the Premier League, plus three non-executive directors.
Sean Cornwell – former CEO of magazine publisher Immediate Media
Maria Raga Francis, former CEO of online marketplace Depop
Malcolm Kpedekpo, former professional footballer and non-executive director of the Scottish Football Association
There will also be a new leadership team reporting to Doucet.
That team includes a chief operating officer, interim chief marketing officer, chief football officer and chief revenue officer.
