The NWSL has "lost a major investor and its national broadcast partner," as A&E Networks will return its estimated 25% equity in the league and "no longer carry matches on the Lifetime channel," according to Steven Goff of the WASHINGTON POST. The contract was signed in February '17 under former A&E President & CEO Nancy Dubuc, who left for Vice Media in March and was replaced by Paul Buccieri. The deal was "supposed to run through" this upcoming season. The Lifetime brand will "remain on the jersey sleeves." NWSL President Amanda Duffy did not explain why the deal is ending, though she did say that the league is "in discussions with a potential new national partner, and a deal could be struck in the coming weeks." Duffy added that all matches will "remain available on two digital platforms: Yahoo Sports and the league’s website." Goff notes the withdrawal of A&E "hands full control of the league back to the nine team ownership groups." The partnership also had "led to the creation of NWSL Media, the league’s commercial arm." That also will "return to full league control" (WASHINGTON POST, 2/21). In Portland, Jamie Goldberg notes the end of the A&E partnership "comes ahead of what is supposed to be a huge season for the NWSL." With the '19 FIFA Women’s World Cup taking place this summer, the NWSL is "expecting there to be increased interest in women’s soccer throughout the United States." Whether ending the partnership with A&E will "impact the NWSL’s reach in a World Cup year remains unclear." However, Duffy said that she feels that "ending the partnership now will better position the league to move forward in the long-run" (Portland OREGONIAN, 2/21).
