Women’s Super League kick-off on ESPN

April 12, 2011   ·   0 Comments

The FA Women’s Super League kicks off this week and ESPN hold the rights to the first of six live and exclusive matches this season, as 2009 National Premier League Champions Arsenal Ladies’ face Chelsea Ladies. Coverage begins at 5:00 pm whilst the game kick-off is at 5:30 pm.

ESPN’s live coverage will be presented by Kelly Cates and Alex Gordon-Martin, while former Leeds Carnegie player Lucy Ward and Steve Bower will commentate. Cates is co-presenter on ESPN’s popular football studio programme Talk of the Terrace and joined ESPN when the sports media company launched its UK channel in 2009.  In a 13 year playing career, Ward played for Leeds and Doncaster Rovers Belles, reaching the 2006 Women’s FA Cup Final. Bower, who also commentates on the UEFA Europa League for ESPN, is best known for his work on the BBC’s Match of the Day.

Former Manchester United and Coventry striker Dion Dublin and  former Arsenal Ladies assistant and coach of the Chicago Red Stars (in the U.S. Women’s Professional Soccer league) Emma Hayes will be guest analysts for the first live match.

As part of its WSL coverage, ESPN will air a weekly 30 minute highlights show, The FA WSL Review Show every Tuesday at 6:30pm. The show will feature highlights of all WSL games as well as additional features each week. Lead presenter will be Ali Douglas, who was the first woman to present the Scottish Premier League.

Coverage of the FA Women’s Super League comes as part of ESPN’s four year deal with the FA, which also includes exclusive live coverage of 25 FA Cup games for this and each of the next three seasons as well as all England Under-21 home games.

Jeroen Oerlemans, Vice President & Channel Manager, ESPN Europe, Middle East & Africa, said: “ESPN is incredibly proud to be associated with the launch of the Women’s Super League. The inaugural season of this prestigious competition promises to be exciting, competitive and full of passion. As we watch the drama unfold, ESPN will bring our viewers great access both on and off the pitch and introduce them to the cast of characters who will make the WSL an exciting watch. We’re very happy to have the WSL alongside the Premier League, the FA Cup, the Europa League, the SPL and the best of European domestic leagues, and hope we can help contribute to the WSL’s success.”

Tags: ESPN, Kelly Cates, Women's Super League, WSL