By Kevin J. Stone | New England Football Journal
The second greatest pro football dynasty in New England might be headed to a true worldwide audience.
On Monday, the Women’s Football Alliance announced it signed a television network deal with ESPN to have the WFA Pro Division National Championship televised live on ESPN2.
The WFA will be entering its 13th beginning April 9th with 60 teams in 4 divisions. The top division – dominated by the Boston Renegades – the WFA PRO division, has some of the most successful franchises in women’s football history and many them have been given great support from local NFL teams. The Renegades got a trip to the title game last season on Air Kraft and even spent some time with the owner himself.
The league had a television deal with Eleven Sports in 2021 that saw 12 games aired on Direct TV and Roku where over 100,000 viewers had eyes on the product. “We knew that once we were able reach the televised audience our viewership would reach these numbers,” said Lisa King, the WFA Commissioner. “ESPN has realized the huge amount of potential for women’s tackle football, and we are excited for this tremendous opportunity to showcase the very best athletes in our sport.” The live broadcast of the 2022 WFA Pro National Championship will air July 10 at 2 PM on ESPN2.
It may very well be another showcase of a pro New England football team on the world’s most well-known sports centric TV network. Led by the greatest player in women’s history quarterback Allison Cahill – who has her jersey on display in the Pro Football Hall of Fame – the Renegades will be in search of a fourth straight National Championship or at the very least a fifth straight appearance in the title game.
Cahill has won six rings in her illustrious career, was named the title game MVP last year, won her fourth league MVP last season and has thrown for over 20,000 yards. Entering year 19 as a pro, the deal with ESPN2 is another huge momentum boost for her, her teammates and the entire women’s professional football product as a whole.
“It’s exciting news for sure,” Allison said via text Tuesday. “The championship being broadcast on ESPN2 is another step in the right direction for our league’s growth and development. The Hall of Fame represents the very best of football and ESPN represents the best in sports broadcasting.”
If you haven’t seen a Renegades game it is actually a must-attend event. The football is outstanding and it’s a fantastic family atmosphere. Cahill has helped the team develop quite a following with her historic list of accolades and she’s hoping the Renegades will be back on the grand stage showing the world what women’s pro football – and New England football – is all about.
“Hopefully, the championship teams showcase the very best of women’s football that weekend,” she added. “It’s a real opportunity for us to earn more fans with the exposure that ESPN offers.”