Ian Wright slams broadcasters for not promoting the Women’s World Cup across Europe
“It would NEVER happen in the men’s game!” Ian Wright slams broadcasters for lack of publicity around Women’s World Cup – he says England’s Euro-winning stars have missed out on lucrative sponsorship deals
Ian Wright has heavily criticized European broadcasters ahead of Australia’s upcoming Women’s World Cup, saying the failure to reach deals to show the tournament has led to a lack of publicity that ‘would never happen’ in the men’s game .
Speaking in the latest episode of his podcast Wrighty’s house speaking to guests Musa Okwonga and Ryan Hunn, the former Arsenal striker said he was surprised that with just six weeks until the tournament kicks off, there is little promotion for it across Europe as broadcasters and FIFA struggle to agree on TV rights.
Wright said England’s Lionesses, who lifted the Euros trophy at Wembley in front of 87,000 fans in 2022, had been denied sponsorship deals and that their ‘biggest moments’ were in the spotlight.
The tournament kicks off in Australia and New Zealand in 43 days, with the first matches on July 20.
Last month, the government called on FIFA, BBC and ITV to strike a deal after fears of a UK TV blackout were raised.
A frustrated Ian Wright, on his way to Australia and New Zealand to report on the tournament, said the Women’s World Cup was hopelessly promoted with six weeks to go.
For some of the largest football countries, broadcasting agreements have still not been concluded prior to the tournament.
In the passionate outburst, Wright said some football fans in the UK were unaware the tournament was even going on due to the lack of publicity.
He said: ‘Whatever is going on with the broadcasters and FIFA. They need to sit down and resolve [it]. The Women’s World Cup can’t take place all over Europe, man.
“How can we not show up? This would never happen in the men’s game.
He continued, “Look at the amount of opportunities these girls probably missed in terms of sponsorship deals leading up to it.
‘It doesn’t look good. You walk down the street and people don’t even know it [it’s happening].’
TV blacked out? It is feared that the Women’s World Cup will not be broadcast in the United Kingdom
The disheartened star said broadcasters had failed to capitalize on the momentum of last year’s European Championship, which saw England triumph
Many audience members agreed. One fan commented: “Any broadcaster that refuses to show the World Cup or won’t pay the money should be blocked from broadcasting the Men’s World Cup.”
Another added: “It’s a joke that it’s not advertised on all media platforms. Let’s get behind the women’s game and keep it growing fast.”
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has demanded bids of between £800,000 and £8 million ($1 million and $10 million) was made from broadcasters, compared to £80.3 million – £160 million ($100 million – 200 million) for the men’s version.
Speaking at the World Trade Organization (WTO) headquarters in Geneva in May, Infantino added that if offers “continue to be unfair, we will be forced not to broadcast the FIFA Women’s World Cup to the ‘Big 5’ European countries.” .
Gianni Infantino (centre) described bids from broadcasters in the ‘Big Five’ European countries as ‘very disappointing’ and a ‘slap in the face’
Lucy Frazer, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport – together with government representatives from Germany, France, Spain and Italy – urged broadcasters and FIFA to reach a deal quickly.
They said: ‘Due to the great potential of the FIFA Women’s World Cup and the sporting and social issues at stake, we see it as our responsibility to fully mobilize all stakeholders so that they can reach an agreement quickly.
“These are decisions for FIFA and the broadcasters to make independently of each other, but we know that discussions are underway and we are confident that FIFA and the independent broadcasters can find a common path towards the fair development of FIFA Women’s World Cup.”