In a surprising yet promising collaboration, American actress Whoopi Goldberg has joined forces with Super Netball, Australia’s premier netball league, through a comprehensive three-year broadcast agreement. This partnership aims to boost the visibility of women’s sports around the globe.

The All Women’s Sports Network Initiative

The All Women’s Sports Network (AWSN), co-founded by Goldberg in 2024, has taken a keen interest in netball following its increasing presence on social media. This interest was sparked when key executives of AWSN observed the league’s growing popularity online.

With a reach of 900 million households worldwide, AWSN intends to utilize this partnership to introduce Super Netball to over 65 new countries.

Engagement and Merchandise Initiatives

As part of the collaboration, merchandise including Super Netball balls has been quickly shipped to the United States. Goldberg expressed her enthusiasm for the partnership in a video message, stating: “I am so proud to be thanking you for joining us on AWSN. I see that your fans are really loving you, so we want to make sure that we put you everywhere in the world so that everybody knows about you.”

Exploring New Opportunities

Stacey West, the Chief Executive Officer of Netball Australia (NA), emphasized how this partnership is pivotal in raising the profile of women’s sports. “Super Netball is no longer a game that fans seek out, it’s something they cannot miss,” West remarked. She views this agreement as a breakthrough, solidifying the league’s prominence on a global stage.

Challenges and Progress

Although the Australian league faced financial hurdles during the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in significant debt and a change in leadership, its audience has grown considerably. The 2024 season recorded impressive ratings, with an average audience of 57,000 per match on platforms like Kayo and Foxtel.

What Lies Ahead

Through this partnership, AWSN will broadcast 41 Super Netball matches, including finals, until 2027. West highlighted that working with AWSN aligns with a shared vision of elevating women’s sports: “Together, we’re creating a platform for our athletes and game to shine like never before.”