Premier League delays decision on Women’s Super League takeover until next year
Football Association is not against a takeover but while the Premier League has discussed the prospect of taking control, they will continue to assess their options for the next 12 months
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The Premier League will revisit the idea of a future takeover of the Women's Super League in 12 months' time.
Premier League clubs are understood to have been presented with the findings of a feasibility study at their shareholders' meeting in London last week.
The Press Association news agency understands the league has not turned its back on plans to assume control of the WSL from the Football Association, but that it was felt the timing was not quite right.
A decision was taken to look at the issue again in another year, with dialogue to continue in the meantime.
Attendances in the WSL have improved this season on the back of England's run to the World Cup semi-finals last summer, even when taking matches played at Premier League venues such as the Etihad Stadium and the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium out of the calculations.
The FA would not stand in the way of such a takeover at the appropriate point, and said in July of last year: "The FA can confirm that it is supporting the Premier League in a project to explore the long-term feasibility of the Premier League running the Women's Super League. This is a purely exploratory project and based on a long-term timescale.
"The FA is proud that it set up the first European women's professional league and the relevant player pathways as part of its commitment to growing the women's game. We have recently established a joint WSL/Women's Championship Board with the clubs to oversee the future strategy and policy of the professional game.
"It is this board that will recommend the best way forward to the FA as it determines what is in the best interests of the leagues. However, the FA has always been clear that it is open to an external body running the WSL in the long term, as the FA's remit is to support the game from grassroots to elite teams."
The WSL was founded in 2010, and launched in April 2011.
PA
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments