FA announce deal that will see the Women’s Super League and Women’s Championship run independently from next season – with former Nike director Nikki Doucet appointed as CEO to oversee the new structure

• The FA have run the WSL and Women’s Championship since their formation
• A new deal will see the two divisions run independently from next season
• Pressure is easing on Man United boss Erik ten Hag: Listen to It’s All Kicking Off 

The Women’s Super League (WSL) and Women’s Championship (WC) have agreed a groundbreaking deal that will see the two divisions form a club-owned organisation to run women’s football in the country independently from the 2024-25 season. 

The WSL – which has been overseen by the FA since it was set up in 2010 – and the WC will instead be run by the new company (NewCo), with the 24 clubs across the top two tiers acting as shareholders.

The new agreement will result in WSL clubs earning 75 per cent of the divisions’ combined revenues, while they will also hold the voting power on broadcast and commercial matters.

Nikki Doucet – who has a background in investment banking and was a former Nike director – has been appointed as NewCo’s chief executive to head up the structure. 

All 24 clubs voted in favour of the move after WC clubs originally rejected the proposals at a previous ballot.

The WSL and WC have agreed a groundbreaking deal that will see the two divisions form a club-owned organisation to run women’s football independently from next season

Former Nike director Nikki Doucet has been appointed as CEO to oversee the new structure

The FA has long been keen for the WSL and WC – which was formed in 2014 – to become independent entities but original votes on measures failed to pass due to issues regarding voting powers.

11 of the 12 WC teams had rejected the initial deal – with Charlton the only side in favour – before they all supported them in a subsequent vote following a meeting with the FA.

After the news was announced, Doucet said: ‘Having already worked with the clubs and the FA for a number of months, I’ve been incredibly encouraged by the collective desire and shared ambition to make our leagues the most distinctive, competitive and entertaining women’s club competitions in the world. 

‘It’s a great privilege to help lead the next phase of this inspirational journey, which has been started by the FA through passion, investment and a steadfast commitment to the evolution of women’s football.’ 

Doucet’s new role will see her oversee all parts of both divisions, with the new structure to begin from next season.

The FA currently oversee the WSL, WC and both men’s and women’s FA Cup competitions.  

Dawn Airey, chair of the WSL and WC board, heaped praise on Doucet and insisted she had full confidence in her abilities.

She said: ‘We are delighted to have the unanimous backing of our 24 clubs regarding the NewCo proposal, and also to have appointed Nikki.

Baroness Sue Campbell, the FA director of women’s football, hailed the groundbreaking move

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‘Nikki is an exceptional talent, and we are thrilled that she is joining us. She’s a world class leader who combines extraordinary marketing skills with a background in finance and a deep love of sport – particularly women’s football.

‘She is a visionary who passionately believes in the power of women’s football to help create positive change and a more equitable society – whilst also recognising the immense opportunity the game has to realise its financial potential.

‘We look forward to her seminal contribution to the leagues, which have the eyes of the world on them.’

Baroness Sue Campbell, the FA’s director of women’s football, added: ‘The women’s professional game is in the strongest place that it has ever been thanks to the hard work of everybody involved in its development so far, but we firmly believe that the NewCo will take it to another level entirely.’

IT’S ALL KICKING OFF! 

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