Whoopi Goldberg launches global all-women’s sports network: "If a woman is playing it, we’re showing it"

WHOOPI Goldberg is on a mission to reshape the sports landscape with the launch of the world’s first global women’s sports channel.

On The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon last week, Goldberg, 68, introduced the All-Women’s Sports Network (AWSN), which she described as a dedicated platform for live women’s sports from across the globe.

“Everything from soccer, basketball, tennis, cricket, curling, you name it — if a woman is playing it, we’re showing it,” she said, emphasising the channel’s expansive reach and commitment to showcasing women’s athletic achievements.

AWSN will feature some of the biggest leagues in the world, including UEFA, FIBA, WTA, and WNBL, and aims to fill gaps in the global broadcasting of popular women’s sports.

The network has already launched in parts of Asia, including India, and the Middle East. It is set to debut in the U.S. this week, offering both live broadcasts and past women’s sporting events.

Though AWSN does not yet list any U.S. providers on its website, Goldberg teased a “big announcement” set for the week of November 11.

AWSN has partnered with CommonSpirit, a Chicago-based Catholic hospital chain who, according to Goldberg, “really promote women’s health.”

Goldberg shared that her passion for women’s sports stems from her childhood, recalling how she was often excluded from sports. “Ever since I was a little kid, I always wanted to play sports. My brother could play. He played baseball, he played softball, he played basketball, he played everything. And they would say, ‘Oh, hi little girl.’”

“It always pissed me off,” she continued, reflecting on the dismissive attitudes toward girls in sports. “So, for years, I’ve been talking to people and saying, ‘Wouldn’t it be great if we could go around the world, start getting young athletes in high school so that we can grow with them and grow up with them? And we can have baseball cards, with our favourite young athlete.’”

Goldberg believes that developing a closer relationship with women’s sports is key to shifting perceptions. “I feel like that will help us show that athletics, when they’re done brilliantly…it doesn’t matter who’s doing it. We don’t really have that relationship with women’s sports.”

The launch of AWSN comes at a pivotal time when women’s professional sports are gaining increased visibility.

In 2023, women’s sports saw record-breaking TV audiences, the rise of new professional teams, and more lucrative sponsorship deals.