Editor's note: The above video is of Reign FC star player Megan Rapinoe reacting to the team's move to Tacoma.
The National Women's Soccer League has a television contract for the second half of its season to replace the partnership with A+E Networks that was cut short a year early by the broadcaster in February.
ESPN announced Thursday it will televise 14 matches in its first NWSL broadcasts since 2014. Eight games will be broadcast on ESPN News and six on ESPN2, including both semifinals and the championship on Oct. 27.
Three of Reign FC's games will be broadcast, according to the Seattle-area team now based in Tacoma. Fans can watch the Reign play against Houston Dash Aug. 2 on ESPNEWS, Aug. 18 against Sky Blue FC on ESPNEWS, and Sept. 29 against the Portland Thorns FC on ESPN2.
“We are pleased to once again televise the National Women’s Soccer League and showcase many of the world’s top female players when they return to their professional club teams,” said Burke Magnus, ESPN’s Executive Vice President of programming and scheduling. “The success and excitement of the World Cup in France has been on full display and the NWSL represents the best women’s club soccer in the world.”
The first televised game will be July 14 between Portland and Orlando on ESPN News.
Fox agreed to televise six regular-season games and three postseason matches on FS2 in the NWSL's initial season in 2013, and the league switched the following year to ESPN, which televised three regular-season games and three playoff matches on ESPN2 plus three matches with digital coverage.
Fox broadcast six games on FS1 during the second half of 2015, including three regular-season games and all three postseason matches, plus four more on digital platforms. FS1 televised three regular-season games and three postseason games in 2016.
NWSL's partnership with A+E included a Saturday game of the week on Lifetime.