A New Chapter for Women’s Baseball
ESPN has struck a media‑rights agreement that will bring the inaugural season of the Women’s Pro Baseball League (WBPL) to its streaming platform, marking a historic expansion of women’s professional sports coverage.
The league’s regular season opens this Saturday and will run through September 6, with all games scheduled at Robin Roberts Stadium in Springfield, Illinois, a venue chosen to centralize play and showcase the league’s grassroots roots.
Viewers can expect 37 live broadcasts, of which 11 will also be simulcast on the Scripps Sports Network, giving the sport multiple entry points across the company’s portfolio.
Inside the Deal
Ashley O’Connor, vice president of programming at ESPN, said the partnership reflects the network’s growing commitment to women’s sports and its ambition to diversify its baseball lineup.
The agreement not only provides a platform for four new franchises — New York Heights, Boston Hunters, Los Angeles Queens, and San Francisco Firebells — but also signals a broader investment in emerging professional leagues.
Coverage on ESPN Select will kick off at 6 p.m. ET on Saturday, featuring a marquee matchup between the Los Angeles Queens and the New York Heights, setting the tone for a season that promises competitive play and heightened visibility for female athletes.