"The Women's Super League is exploring borrowing tens of millions of pounds in an attempt to accelerate the growth of the competition. The WSL board has commissioned the investment bank Goldman Sachs and the accountancy firm Deloitte to examine ways of raising funding anda debt deal is the preferred option at this stage. The borrowing would be used to increase central payments and prize money awarded to clubs, with the aim of stimulating further growth in sponsorship, broadcast deals and club-led investment,"
"The governing body instead created a new independent company Women's Professional Leagues Limited, which was rebranded to WSL Football last summer to take control of the top two divisions of club football, the WSL and WSL2, from last year. WPLL received a 20m interest-free loan from the Premier League to assist with start-up and operational costs last year, which included creating a new 40-strong staff from scratch."
The WSL board has hired Goldman Sachs and Deloitte to explore raising tens of millions of pounds, with a debt deal currently preferred. Borrowed funds would increase central payments and prize money to stimulate sponsorship, broadcast deals and club-led investment by improving the product. The WSL intends to lead investment centrally because club financial commitment varies widely across the division. Manchester United’s women's wage bill is about 3.5m, roughly half that of Arsenal and Chelsea, despite the parent club’s record revenues. Investment at established clubs like West Ham and Leicester has been dwarfed by promoted London City Lionesses. Five years ago the FA rejected a 150m Bridgepoint offer and instead created Women's Professional Leagues Limited, rebranded WSL Football, which received a 20m interest-free Premier League loan and built a 40-strong staff to run the top divisions.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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