ESPN Extends Rights Deal with Women’s National Football Conference
The Women’s National Football Conference (WNFC) announced a new two‑year rights agreement with ESPN that secures the broadcast of its IX Cup Championship Game on ESPN2. The championship will be streamed live on June 21 from Frisco, Texas, marking a key moment for the league’s national exposure.
Odessa Jenkins, the league’s founder and CEO, described the renewal as a pivotal step toward broader recognition and sustainable growth. Executives from ESPN will collaborate with the WNFC on innovative marketing and promotional campaigns designed to attract new fans and sponsors.
The deal also taps into ESPN’s larger sports portfolio, including the NFL Network, to amplify the league’s reach. This summer the network will replace its traditional "Sunday Night Baseball" slot with "Women’s Sports Sundays," underscoring a strategic shift toward women’s athletics.
The WNFC comprises 16 teams spread across the United States and features standout players such as Leilani Caamal, Kassidy Snowdy, Maria Jackson, Ashley Clark and Michelle Angel. The league’s expansion is further supported by partnerships with Victory+, Dove, Ridell and Adidas, as well as growing interest in women’s sports and flag football.