- Canada’s new professional women’s soccer league has signed national media deals with CBC and Bell Media‘s TSN and RDS networks.
- The Northern Super League begins play in April 2025 with six teams across Canada.
- CBC Sports and Radio-Canada will broadcast matches across their national network and digital platforms.
- TSN will deliver games across its platforms, and RDS will broadcast live French-language coverage of select matches featuring the NSL’s Montreal club.
Canada’s new professional women’s soccer league, the Northern Super League, announced Tuesday it has signed national media deals with CBC and Bell Media‘s TSN and RDS networks.
No financial details were revealed about the multi-year media partnership for the fledgling league, which begins play in April 2025 with six teams across Canada.
“Ensuring our matches are available to Canadians is key to the long-term growth and viability of professional women’s soccer. Our players have been behind the scenes for too long,” Diana Matheson, NSL founder and former Canadian Women’s National Team player, said in a news release. “Having Bell Media and CBC/Radio-Canada put a national spotlight on our Canadian professional players is a huge win for fans and creates a lasting impact on women’s sport in this country.”
CBC Sports and Radio-Canada will broadcast matches across their national network and digital platforms, TSN will deliver games across its platforms, and RDS will broadcast live French-language coverage of select matches featuring the NSL’s Montreal club, according to the news release.
“We are thrilled to be an official media partner of the Northern Super League and bring this new league to Canadians,” Shawn Redmond, vice president of Bell Media Sports (part of BCE Inc. TSX:BCE), said in a statement. “As home to the biggest events in soccer, we are excited to bring Northern Super League matches to fans across the country. This partnership aligns perfectly with our commitment to showcasing the very best women’s sports competitions from around the world.”
The inaugural season schedule and full broadcast schedule will be announced at a later date.
No details were revealed about whether the NSL or its media partners will be covering the costs of producing match broadcasts. The National Women’s Soccer League, for example, produces 80 per cent of its matches that some of its broadcast partners air in the United States.
“Soccer keeps winning more and more fans across the country, and we are delighted to bring them all the excitement and drama of the Northern Super League matches,” Catherine Tait, president and CEO of CBC/Radio-Canada, said.
In addition to Montreal, the NSL’s inaugural season will include teams in Vancouver, Calgary, Ottawa, Toronto and Halifax. Teams will play 25 games in the regular season, followed by playoffs to determine a national champion.
After the NSL unveiled its name and branding last month, Matheson said she expects a salary cap of $1.5 million per team for 20-25 players. Minimum salaries will be $50,000 while one marquee player per club will be allowed an unlimited salary that will count for only $75,000 against the cap.
Canadian Tire, DoorDash, CIBC and Air Canada have already signed on as founding corporate sponsors of the NSL.
Shares of BCE Inc. (TSX:BCE) were down 0.34 per cent, trading at C$46.48 at 12:04 pm Tuesday.
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