Archive June 9, 2025

Revenues for Women’s Super League (WSL) clubs soared by 34% during a record-breaking 2023-24 season, despite a drop in attendances.

The 12 teams in the WSL amassed a combined revenue of £65m, with each club generating more than £1m for the first time.

Analysis from the Deloitte Sports Business Group found revenues grew from £48m in the 2022-23 season to £65m the following campaign.

The increase was driven by growth in commercial revenue, which increased by 53% from the previous season and now accounts for 40% of WSL clubs’ total revenue.

Matchday revenue increased, despite a 10% drop in attendances from the previous year.

The average league attendance dropped to 6,642.

The drop, which followed England reaching the 2023 Women’s World Cup final, contributed to pre-tax losses of £28m – up from £21m in 2022-23.

However, Deloitte is forecasting revenues to top £100m across the league at the end of the 2025-26 campaign, helped by the upcoming Euros in Switzerland,

“Women’s football in England is evolving rapidly,” said Tim Bridge, lead partner in the Deloitte Sports Business Group.

“While challenges remain, it is clear there is potential for a passionate and engaged fanbase to drive the game’s development.

“Capitalising on major international tournaments is important at specific points in time, but sustainable growth hinges on the domestic league’s organic development.”

Canadian Open final round leaderboard

-18 S Burns (US), R Fox (NZ, won at fourth extra hole); -17 K Yu (Tai); -16 M McCarty (US), C Young (US)

Selected others: -15 M Manassero (Ita); -14 D Skinns (Eng); -13 L Aberg (Swe), S Lowry (Ire), D Willett (Eng); -11 H Hall (Eng); -9 R MacIntyre (Sco)

New Zealander Ryan Fox beat American Sam Burns at a fourth play-off hole to claim a dramatic victory at the Canadian Open.

Fox sank a birdie at the 18th hole of his fourth round to set up a play-off against Burns, who had produced a stunning eight-under-par round of 62 at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley.

Burns hit nine birdies and a bogey to take the clubhouse lead and it seemed it would be enough for victory until Fox’s heroics on the last hole in his round of 66.

The par five 18th was the sudden death play-off hole and, after Fox grazed the hole with his fourth shot and had to settle for a par, Burns failed to capitalise as he missed a makeable putt to win on the first time around.

At the next attempt, Fox nearly went into the water with his second shot before both again could not be separated as they made par.

The location of the hole was changed for their third attempt but the pair again holed in par before going for a fourth time.

This time, Fox produced a brilliant second shot and, after Burns took five, he made a birdie to win a second PGA Tour title on the back of his first triumph at last month’s Myrtle Beach Classic.

“It was very hard-fought,” said Fox. “I was pretty lucky to make that putt in regulation [at the 18th]. It just snuck in.

“I didn’t hit a couple of great shots in play-off and Sam let me off there the first time around.

“Nice to hit a good one that fourth time – that’s probably the best shot I’ve ever hit in my life. Nice to do it in these circumstances.”

England’s David Skinns produced a strong showing as he hit a 67 to finish on 13 under at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley.

Ireland’s Shane Lowry had started strongly with an eagle and three birdies to briefly move into the lead on 15 under before his challenge faded.

Cristiano Ronaldo was in tears as he won a third trophy with Portugal – the Nations League.

And what a way to do it, as they beat their neighbours and oldest rivals Spain on penalties.

Ronaldo may have already been off the pitch, having been replaced in the 88th minute – but he had already played his part.

The Portugal captain made it 2-2 in the 61st minute with a close-range finish. That was his 138th international goal, extending his own record.

And it was his eighth in nine Nations League games this campaign, only behind Sweden’s Viktor Gyokeres.

Not bad for a 40-year-old who has spent the past two and a half years in the Saudi Arabian league with Al-Nassr.

It marks the first time Spain have failed to lift a trophy since the 2022 World Cup, having won the Nations League in 2023 and Euro 2024.

At times in this tournament – beating France 5-4 in the semi-finals – they looked unstoppable. But Ronaldo and Portugal did just that.

Nuno Mendes too, with the Portugal full-back keeping Spain star Lamine Yamal quiet and scoring a goal himself.

Ronaldo said: “Winning for Portugal is always special. I have many titles with clubs, but nothing is better than winning for Portugal.

“When you talk about a clash between Cristiano and someone else, that’s not how it works. The media always try to hype things up, which is a normal thing, but it’s one team versus another.”

They were the words of Ronaldo in the build-up to this game, and many discussed the 40-year-old coming up against 17-year-old Spain superstar Yamal.

And it was Ronaldo who emerged a winner in more ways than one after netting the 938th goal of his career, hooking in Mendes’ deflected cross from close range.

Former England midfielder Andros Townsend on ITV said: “This is why Cristiano Ronaldo is on the football pitch.

“He is a predator in the box. He knows where the ball is going to go. Good contact when it comes to him.

“People have written him off time and time again but he played his part tonight. He more than played his part in the semi-final. He has proven he can still make a difference at the highest level.”

ITV pundit Karen Carney added: “Ronaldo’s eyes lit up. ‘Who else? Me.’

“When you turn 30 everyone calls you old in football. This guy is 40 and he is constant defying us.”

He only touched the ball 22 times – but did track back more than once, including to win the ball off Yamal.

The Spain winger, who scored twice in the semi-final win over France, did not enjoy one of his best games.

He had four shots, mostly from distance, forcing two saves from Diogo Costa.

This marks the first trophy of Portugal manager Roberto Martinez’s international career, after failing to win anything with Belgium’s so-called golden generation.

The 2013 FA Cup with Wigan was his last piece of silverware – so could the Nations League save his job?

Balague said: “The rumour [that he will be sacked] has come from the federation of Portugal. A new president who has not chosen Roberto Martinez.

“We are reading the new president would like Jorge Jesus or Jose Mourinho to soon be the next manager, but how can you get rid of Roberto Martinez?”

Martinez took over as Portugal boss in January 2023, after the last World Cup, and is contracted until next summer to cover the 2026 World Cup.

“He has made Ronaldo a regular goalscorer again,” continued Balague. “Ronaldo has a better percentage of goals per game than he has with any other manager.

“Basically, this just killed whatever plan there was to get rid of him. How can they get rid of him?”

While the Nations League is not the biggest tournament in the world, it is one of only three trophies European countries can win, excluding other minor competitions you can only enter by winning another trophy.

Carney added: “It was more so with the Belgium national team, going from that golden generation and going to this one – what’s going to be different?

“There is something special about him.

“The players and Ronaldo have reacted positively to him.

Portugal left-back Mendes, midfielders Joao Neves and Vitinha and striker Goncalo Ramos were all celebrating at Allianz Arena for the second time in eight days.

They all won the Champions League with Paris St-Germain at the same venue last weekend, and Mendes was named man of the match for his fine job in this game.

Uefa’s technical observer group said: “He was incredible, both in attack and defensively during the tournament. He scored in the final, also providing an assist in the semi-final.”

The 22-year-old was electric down the left flank, as he shackled Yamal largely – and scored their first equaliser with a fine effort into the bottom corner.

He had four successful dribbles (three more than any team-mates), more touches in the opposition box than any other Portugal player and won seven duels – as many as anyone else on the team.

Mendes also played more passes into the final third (16) and won more tackles (five) than any other Portugal player.

“You love seeing him burst forward, but ultimately he has a defensive responsibility,” said Carney.

“A few players will be looking – ‘how do I get past him?’ But he is the complete [defender]. What a joy to have in your team.”

Balague added: “He’s been fantastic – top 10 Ballon d’Or. He has been superb.

Gav: Love him or hate him, Ronaldo keeps doing the business.

Paul: Ronaldo is just inevitable, isn’t he?

Harry, Winchester: Mendes is making Yamal look like a 17-year-old.

Bonny, London: Death… taxes… Ronaldo.

Emil, Stroud: Ronaldo still running rings around kids half his age. Wouldn’t be surprised if he’s still going at 50!

Joe: At what age is he going to stop. At 40 playing this good.

It was a final so engrossing that the Spanish national football team huddled around a mobile phone to watch before their Nations League meeting with Portugal.

Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner put on a performance for the ages as they battled over an epic five sets for the French Open crown.

Backed into a corner after losing the opening two sets, defending champion Alcaraz came out swinging – and saved three championship points on the way – to win 4-6 6-7 (4-7) 6-4 7-6 (7-3) 7-6 (10-2).

Just two minutes before Spain kicked off their Nations League final against Portugal at 20:00 BST, their compatriot Alcaraz had defied the odds to complete his magnificent comeback.

Alcaraz could not resist posting an image of himself holding the Coupe des Mousquetaires, with the caption: “How was your Sunday?”

And the 22-year-old received widespread praise for the manner in which he got over the line to land a fifth Grand Slam title, achieving that feat at the exact same age as another legendary Spaniard, Rafael Nadal – 22 years, one month and three days.

Real Madrid, who Alcaraz supports, were among those to congratulate him, writing: “All madridistas are happy and proud of this brilliant success achieved by one of our own.”

Former Real midfielder Toni Kroos shared a photo of himself and Alcaraz from 2022 – captioned “The future. And me” – with a new message, simply reading: “Told you”.

The PGA Tour compared and even raised Alcaraz above one of the golfing greats – 15-time major winner Tiger Woods.

“Five majors by age 22. Not even Tiger Woods did that,” the organisation posted.

With an opening game lasting 12 minutes, it felt inevitable that the final between the two best players in the world would be a marathon.

In the end, Alcaraz and Sinner put everything on the line for five hours and 29 minutes – the longest French Open final in history.

Just as the fifth set got under way at around 18:45 BST, British player Naomi Broady had to make the call to alter her travel plans.

“I’ve just changed my Eurostar ticket because I think it is safe to say I’m not going to make the 9pm one,” Broady said on BBC Radio 5 Live.

It was worth it, with an emotional Broady saying afterwards she felt “so lucky that I got to be here to witness this”.

“It feels like this is absolutely going to be a historic moment of our sport,” she added.

Former British number one Greg Rusedski likened Alcaraz to Hungarian escapologist Harry Houdini, while on TNT Sports, commentator Nick Mullins crowned him “King Carlos the second – the red king in the longest Roland Garros final”.

We have been treated to some incredible spectacles over the years, especially in the ‘Big Three’ era of Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer.

Djokovic, who is still chasing a standalone record 25th Grand Slam title, is the only one left standing. The 38-year-old great lost in three sets to Sinner in the Paris semi-finals.

The future of men’s tennis undoubtedly looks bright with Alcaraz and Sinner steering the ship.

But where does their final rank in the all-time list?

The tennis world has witnessed some epic Grand Slam battles, including:

Nadal and Federer had to battle it out over four hours and 48 minutes (it was actually nearly seven hours because of rain delays). Nadal held off a thrilling fightback to win in five sets.

Djokovic outlasted Nadal after five hours and 53 minutes to win his fifth Grand Slam title in a match that finished at 01:37 local time.

Andy Murray took three hours and nine minutes to see off Djokovic and end Britain’s 77-year wait for a men’s Wimbledon champion.