
<p>The <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/womens-world-cup-tv-schedule/">Women’s World Cup</a> is right around the corner. As of May 31, the 50-day countdown to the tournament in Australia and New Zealand is underway. The record number of 32 teams secured their spots in the group stage, and teams are beginning to narrow down their squads for the competition. Tickets are <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/womens-world-cup-could-break-1-5-million-tickets-sold-20230412-WST-427855.html">selling at a record pace</a>, and that could lead to over 1.5 million tickets sold.</p>



<p>Also, in the United States, <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/fox-announces-full-womens-world-cup-broadcast-schedule-20230425-WST-430009.html">FOX is beginning to nail down its coverage</a>. As of now, that includes the likes of Carli Lloyd. She <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/fox-adds-carli-lloyd-as-analyst-for-womens-world-cup-20230411-WST-427866.html">returns as an analyst</a> to serve the same responsibilities for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.</p>



<p>However, the consistent issues regarding broadcasts of the Women’s World Cup, particularly in Europe, continue to plague the anticipation of the tournament. England, Germany, Spain and France are all among the favorites to win the tournament. Moreover, the Netherlands was the runner-up in 2019, and Italy is making an appearance for the second-straight year, which is far better than the men can say.</p>



<p>Even though FIFA continues to promote the event across the globe, anticipation is stalling in Europe. Much of that stems from broadcast rights. For example, <em><a href="https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2023/05/31/womens-world-cup-2023-tv-deal-fifa-anger-bbc-itv-uk/">The Telegraph</a></em> is reporting FIFA’s frustration with Italy offering broadcast rights at 1% of the cost of the men’s rights. In Germany, the proposed deal is less than 3% of what the men’s World Cup cost in the country. </p>



<p>Germany’s instance is particularly interesting. FIFA noted that the Women’s Euro Final last summer was the most-watched sporting event in Germany in 2022. That game featured England and Germany battling at Wembley. That audience peaked at 21.8 million viewers in Germany. That is more than any match in the 2022 men’s World Cup for German audiences.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">"This wouldn&apos;t happen in the men&apos;s game. Six weeks to go to the Women&apos;s World Cup. Surely this can be sorted."<a href="https://twitter.com/IanWright0?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@IanWright0</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/FloydTweet?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FloydTweet</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/MayowaQuadri_?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MayowaQuadri_</a> on the latest episode, including WWC TV deal, Man Utd v Chelsea, remembering Tina Turner and more.<a href="https://t.co/LKsKdQcQco">https://t.co/LKsKdQcQco</a> <a href="https://t.co/DeuyKSRhhd">pic.twitter.com/DeuyKSRhhd</a></p>— Wrighty&apos;s House (@WrightysHouse) <a href="https://twitter.com/WrightysHouse/status/1662083769925337088?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 26, 2023</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



<h2>Infantino calls lack of Women’s World Cup deals a ‘slap’</h2>



<p>FIFA President Gianni Infantino lamented these lowball offers from broadcasters. He called them a ‘slap in the face’ to both the athletes at the Women’s World Cup and women’s soccer. As a counter, he threatened to blackout broadcasts of the tournament in the traditional ‘big five’ countries in Europe. </p>



<p>There is still time for these broadcast deals to smooth over. Sport officials in England, France, Spain, Italy and Germany believe coverage of the tournament is pivotal. It can continue the already impressive growth of the women’s game in Europe.</p>



<p>“We are convinced that the media coverage of the Women’s World Cup will be decisive in improving the global visibility of women’s sports in our European countries,” the countries wrote in a joint statement. “Media exposure to women’s sports has indeed a highly significant impact on the development of women’s and young girls’ sports practices.”</p>



<p>Regardless, with 50 days left until the tournament, time continues to wane on the potential broadcasting success of the Women’s World Cup in Europe.</p>



<p><em>PHOTO: IMAGO / ZUMA Wire</em></p>



<div style="background:#ffcc66;padding:10px;">
<h3>Guide to World Cup 2023</h3>
<div style="padding:10px;">
Here are some resources to help you get the most out of the biggest event in women&apos;s soccer!
</div>
<div style="padding:10px;">
<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/womens-world-cup-tv-schedule/"><strong>Schedule:</strong></a> All the info on <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/womens-world-cup-tv-schedule/">where and when to watch</a> every game
</div><div style="padding:10px;">
<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/how-to-watch-the-womens-world-cup-on-us-tv/"><strong>TV Coverage:</strong></a> <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/how-to-watch-the-womens-world-cup-on-us-tv/">How to watch</a> the games on TV
</div><div style="padding:10px;">
<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tv/foxs-womens-world-cup-commentators-for-wwc-2023-20230609-WST-436709.html"><strong>Commentators:</strong></a> Find out more about the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tv/foxs-womens-world-cup-commentators-for-wwc-2023-20230609-WST-436709.html">studio talent and announcers</a>
</div><div style="padding:10px;">
<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/womens-world-cup-bracket-free-download/"><strong>World Cup Bracket:</strong></a> Map out the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/womens-world-cup-bracket-free-download/">entire tournament</a>, from the groups to the final
</div><div style="padding:10px;">
<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/category/womens-world-cup/"><strong>World Cup News:</strong></a> Latest news and info for<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/category/womens-world-cup/"> Australia &amp; New Zealand 2023</a>
</div>
</div>


Women's World Cup bubble is right around the corner with the countdown to the tournament in Australia and New Zealand underway.

Has the Women's World Cup bubble burst?


<p>The Premier League has made an offer of over $150 million per year in additional funding towards the EFL, according to <a href="https://www.sportspromedia.com/news/premier-league-efl-funding-new-deal-papa-johns-trophy/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sports Pro Media</a>. The money would go towards distribution, cost controls, calendar issues and work permits. At the same time, it may quell some of the monetary frustration between the top flight and the lower leagues. </p>



<p>The Premier League’s offer to the English Football League (EFL) for additional funding in December was only worth $117 million per year. Most of that money comes from broadcast revenue. However, as helped by worldwide deals, the Premier League’s broadcast revenue is vastly higher than the rest of the EFL. For example, the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/us-premier-league-tv-deal-faq-20211119-CMS-357764.html">NBC deal with the Premier League</a> is worth $433 million per year. </p>



<p>To bridge that gap, the Premier League and the EFL are seeking a ‘New Deal for Football,’ which this payment would answer. However, there are differences with how much this deal should be and what it should include. </p>



<p>For example, the EFL has a number of criteria it wants to change in this new deal. That includes a 25% share in pooled broadcast revenues between it and the Premier League. Also, it wants to eliminate <a href="https://www.claims.co.uk/knowledge-base/football-law/premier-league-parachute-payment/#:~:text=Parachute%20payments%20for%20relegated%20clubs,-When%20Premier%20League&amp;text=Relegated%20clubs%20will%20receive%2055,per%20cent%20in%20year%20three." target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">parachute payments</a>. These are payments made to relegated clubs from the Premier League that last three years after relegation. </p>



<h2>Premier League additional funding likely not enough for EFL</h2>



<p>Sports Pro Media talked to Fair Game, a group in support of reforming soccer’s financial structure and adding a regulator. Fair Game called this offer from the Premier League for additional funding “crumbs” in the grand scheme.</p>



<p>“In a year, when we saw [$123 million] spent on a single player, [$55 million] given to Burnley in parachute payments and the Premier League’s TV deal pass [$3.6 billion] a year – this deal is not even worth a moment’s thought,” Fair Game chief executive Niall Couper told Sports Pro Media.</p>



<p>“According to the&nbsp;EFL’s articles of association, the [$37 million] would give Championship clubs [$1.25 million] each, League One clubs [$185,000] each and League Two clubs around [$123,000] each – that is barely enough to cover clubs’ energy bills.”</p>



<p>Couper said an independent regulator would help in that regard to balance out the funding. An <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/tories-reveal-independent-regulator-plan-to-give-fans-more-say-20230223-WST-421109.html">independent regulator is coming</a>. However, the UK government said this entity to settle financial disputes could still be at least two years away.</p>



<p><em>PHOTO: IMAGO / PA Images</em></p>


The Premier League is offering additional funding to the EFL. However, this may not satisfy the needs of the lower divisions.

ALL POSTS TAGGED "Broadcast deals"

FIFA

Has the Women's World Cup bubble burst?

Leagues: Championship

Premier League offers EFL $154 million/year in additional funding