It was heralded as a game-changer for the fledgling National Women’s Soccer League: A&E Networks, a major media company with deep pockets, was investing a 25 percent stake in the league and would broadcast its games nationally on Lifetime. The TV deal, signed in 2017, was supposed to last for three years, but on Wednesday, the NWSL abruptly announced the deal was coming to an end one year early.



Less than two months before the start of the NWSL’s seventh season, the league’s broadcast partner and key investor are gone. In a World Cup year, when the league should be preparing to capitalize on an inevitable boost in interest, the NWSL is instead looking to find a new broadcast partner.



It sure doesn’t look good for the NWSL. But is the end of the partnership with A&E as bad as it seems at first glance?



Sources around the NWSL have indicated to The Athletic that A&E’s departure is something owners have wanted.