New agreement set to expand broadcast coverage of Women's Softball World Championship

Post date: Nov 17, 2014 7:40:16 PM

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                21 August 2014

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-- Announcement considered by WBSC to be a huge boost for women's sport and baseball/softball's unified case for potential Olympic inclusion.  

LAUSANNE, Switzerland -- The World Baseball Softball Confederation has announced today the expansion of television coverage featuring the XIV Women's Softball World Championship, which is currently being staged from August 15-24, in Europe for the first-time ever -- marking a major landmark for the global growth of the women's sport. (See photos.) 

The 16-nation world championship in Haarlem -- the pinnacle of the sport -- will now have added coverage of both the bronze and gold medal games live on Sunday, August 24, in response to overwhelming viewer demand for the women's softball global showcase.

TV Tokyo has obtained the exclusive broadcast rights for Japan to its 32 million potential viewers.

The United States will provide wide coverage of the event on an array of networks. Comcast Sports Network and Cox Sports Network will broadcast games to their viewership in 10 regions.

ESPN3 will also offer the medal games on their streaming platform to their more than 90 million subscribers.

The expanded coverage announcement of the XIV Women's Softball World Championship is considered by WBSC to be a huge boost for women's sport and baseball and softball's unified case for potential Olympic inclusion.

Dale McMann WBSC Executive Vice President hailed the announcement:

"This is truly an exciting development and major boost that further raises the profile and confirms the appeal of women's sport -- and in particular women's softball -- in the eyes of broadcasters and audiences alike. The expanded coverage will allow these athletes at our world championship in Haarlem to showcase their talents -- and our sport -- to a wider audience, which not only significantly raises the value of our women's showpiece event but also helps inspire and attract the next generation of girls to our sport over the long-term. The timing of this advancement is particularly key as the WBSC remains dedicated and continues working very hard to position our sports for a return to the Olympic Games."

WBSC Secretary General Ms. Beng Choo Low commented:

"The WBSC shares and supports 'Olympism in Action' and increasing the number of women in sport, and we are working hard with our partners to maximize broadcast coverage of our women's world championship, in order to help achieve a sporting landscape that is more appealing, gender-balanced and relevant to women."

The WBSC, along with other world sport governing bodies, is hoping for the opportunity to be included in future Olympic Games, pending the outcome of the Olympic Agenda 2020 review.

The recently elected WBSC leadership has made it one of its chief priorities to promote gender-equality and to provide more opportunities for girls and women to be empowered through sports that women excel at -- like softball -- and to harness the skills and leadership of women across all levels of WBSC's decision-making structure.

The top four teams from the two pools after the completion of round robin play will advance to the playoffs beginning Saturday, August 23.

Japan is the defending World Champions after defeating the United States 2-1 in extra innings at the 2012 edition.

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MEDIA: For media inquiries, please contact:

media@wbsc.co

About the World Baseball Softball Confederation:

Headquartered in the Olympic Capital city of Lausanne, Switzerland, the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) was established in April 2013 and granted recognition as the sole competent authority in baseball and softball by the International Olympic Committee at the 125th IOC Session in September 2013. The WBSC represents a united baseball/softball sports movement that encompasses over 65 million athletes worldwide.

The WBSC governs all international competitions involving any of the National Teams of its 141 National Federation members.  

The WBSC also oversees the Baseball World Cups and Softball World Championships and is the only sports organisation in the world that oversees a U-12 youth national team world championship.

The WBSC currently has National Federation members in 141 countries and territories across Asia, Africa, Americas (Caribbean, Central-, North- and South-America), Europe and Oceania. 

For further information, please go to www.WBSC.co.