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Prime Video Introduces On-Air Announce Team for Inaugural Season of NWSL Coverage
Prime Video's debut kicks off with the NWSL Challenge Cup on Friday, March 15 at 8:00 p.m. EDT, as experienced play-by-play announcer Mike Watts and analyst Lori Lindsey serve as main team in the booth
Former Red Stars and Dash forward Kealia Watt will make multiple appearances as both a contributor and sideline analyst; Former Lioness and Arsenal star Lianne Sanderson also joins Prime Video as both a sideline and match analyst
Prime Video will produce all 27 fixtures with Watts, Lindsey, Watt and Sanderson on-site for each of their appearances to draw fans closer to the pitch
NEW YORK - March 7, 2024 - Today, Prime Video introduced the on-air announce team for its inaugural season of NWSL coverage, featuring play-by-play announcer Mike Watts, and analyst Lori Lindsey, as the streamer's main team in the booth for the 27-match campaign.
Additionally, former Chicago Red Stars and Houston Dash forward Kealia Watt will join Prime Video as a contributor and sideline analyst for multiple appearances throughout the year. Lianne Sanderson, a former Lioness and Arsenal stand-out, also joins the team as both a sideline analyst and match analyst for select fixtures.
Watts and Lindsey will handle play-by-play and analyst responsibilities for Prime Video's debut - the NWSL Challenge Cup - on Friday, March 15 at 8:00 p.m. EDT.
Prime Video will produce all 27 matches, with Watts, Lindsey, Watt and Sanderson on-site for each of their appearances. The on-site presence will provide additional storytelling opportunities and draw NWSL fans closer to the pitch than ever before every Friday night. Prime Video's industry-leading production for NWSL is another addition for Prime members, who enjoy savings, convenience, and entertainment, all in a single membership.
"We are eagerly anticipating our NWSL debut on March 15, and adding these four talented announcers will elevate our coverage and establish credibility as we embrace the culture, stars and tenor of the league," said Betsy Riley, senior coordinating producer, Prime Video. "Having our talent on-site each week will help us dig deeper, connect on a stronger level with more fans, and lift up the incredible athletes on the pitch. We can't wait to get started."
Riley and Ken Miller, Director, Production & Technical Operations, Prime Video, oversee production for Prime Video's NWSL coverage.
As previously announced, Prime Video kicks off its inaugural season of NWSL coverage with 27 total matches throughout the course of the 2024 season, including streaming 25 regular-season games, one quarterfinal playoff game in November, and the 2024 NWSL Challenge Cup next Friday on March 15 at 8:00 p.m. EDT. All 25 of Prime Video's regular-season contests will stream on Friday nights throughout the season, with kickoff each week slated for 8:00 p.m. or 10:00 p.m. EDT. The schedule includes every team across the league, loaded with star power, including defending champions NJ/NY Gotham FC - with a roster featuring newly signed stars Crystal Dunn and Rose Lavelle - twice, NWSL shield winners San Diego Wave FC, led by Alex Morgan, five times, 2023 runner-up Seattle Reign and Jess Fishlock six times, and Becky Sauerbrunn, reigning NWSL MVP Sophia Smith and the Portland Thorns five times, who finished second overall last year in the standings.
Mike Watts, play-by-play announcer, is a multi-sport on-air media personality with distinguished broadcast experience. Watts has been the voice of championship events for USL, Concacaf, Westwood One, and ESPN. In addition to his role with Prime Video, Watts currently is the voice of the Cincinnati Bengals Preseason Television Network, the lead commentator for USL and SEC Soccer, and a voice for select college and pro basketball games at Madison Square Garden.
Lori Lindsey, analyst, is a former US Women's National Team player, and represented the United States in the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup. She's played around the globe throughout her career, and made her first appearance as an on-air analyst with FOX Sports in June 2022. She subsequently has been an analyst and commentator for a wide variety of networks including ESPN, CBS Sports, NWSL, MLS and Apple TV.
Kealia Watt, contributor and sideline analyst, is a former women's soccer star who most recently played for the Chicago Red Stars of the NWSL. Watt's accolades include a victory for the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup and CONCACAF Women's U-20 Championship, both in 2012, as well as runner-up in the 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup and the 2021 NWSL Championship.
Lianne Sanderson, analyst, is a former top English professional footballer, who played for the English National team and took home four championship victories with Arsenal. She is also the lead co-commentator for England's Women's internationals and the Women's Super League for talkSPORT, and was recently announced as the new presenter of The Women's Football Show on talkSPORT2.
The NWSL on Prime Video will be available to fans in the United States and Canada across hundreds of compatible devices worldwide, streaming from the web, or using the Prime Video app on smartphones, tablets, set-top boxes, game consoles, and connected TVs. For a complete list of compatible devices, visit amazon.com/howtostream.
Below is the previously announced NWSL on Prime Video schedule:
Friday, March 15 NJ/NY Gotham FC vs. San Diego Wave FC - 8:00 p.m. EDT
Friday, March 22 Orlando Pride vs. Angel City FC - 8:00 p.m. EDT
Friday, March 29 San Diego Wave FC vs. Seattle Reign FC - 10:00 p.m. EDT
Friday, April 12 Houston Dash vs. Washington Spirit - 8:00 p.m. EDT
Friday, April 19 Orlando Pride vs. San Diego Wave FC - 8:00 p.m. EDT
Friday, April 26 Angel City FC vs. Kansas City Current - 10:00 p.m. EDT
Friday, May 3 Seattle Reign FC vs. San Diego Wave FC - 10:00 p.m. EDT
Friday, May 10 Racing Louisville FC vs. Washington Spirit - 8:00 p.m. EDT
Friday, May 17 North Carolina Courage vs. Utah Royals FC - 8:00 p.m. EDT
Friday, May 24 Bay FC vs. NJ/NY Gotham FC - 10:00 p.m. EDT
Friday, June 7 San Diego Wave FC vs. Orlando Pride - 10:00 p.m. EDT
Friday, June 14 Kansas City Current vs. Chicago Red Stars - 8:00 p.m. EDT
Friday, June 21 Orlando Pride vs. Utah Royals FC - 8:00 p.m. EDT
Friday, June 28 Kansas City Current vs. Houston Dash - 8:00 p.m. EDT
Friday, July 5 Portland Thorns FC vs. San Diego Wave FC - 10:00 p.m. EDT
Friday, August 23 Houston Dash vs. Orlando Pride - 8:00 p.m. EDT
Friday, August 30 Portland Thorns FC vs. Bay FC - 10:00 p.m. EDT
Friday, September 6 Angel City FC vs. Seattle Reign FC - 10:00 p.m. EDT
Friday, September 13 North Carolina Courage vs. Bay FC - 8:00 p.m. EDT
Friday, September 13 Portland Thorns FC vs. Chicago Red Stars - 10:00 p.m. EDT
Friday, September 20 Kansas City Current vs. Washington Spirit - 8:00 p.m. EDT
Friday, September 27 Angel City FC vs. Washington Spirit - 10:00 p.m. EDT
Friday, October 4 Seattle Reign FC vs. Angel City FC - 10:00 p.m. EDT
Friday, October 11 Portland Thorns FC vs. Orlando Pride - 10:00 p.m. EDT
Friday, October 18 Seattle Reign FC vs. Houston Dash - 10:00 p.m. EDT
Friday, November 1 Portland Thorns FC vs. Angel City FC - 10:00 p.m. EDT
TBD Quarterfinal Playoff Match - TBC
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About Prime Video Sports
Prime Video supports a growing lineup of live sports globally, including Thursday Night Football, the WNBA, the NWSL, the Seattle Storm, the New York Yankees, Overtime Elite, Premier Boxing Champions and the Professional Pickleball Association in the United States; ONE Championship in the United States and Canada; Premier League in the United Kingdom; UEFA Champions League football in Germany and Italy; Roland-Garros and Ligue 1 in France; New Zealand Cricket in India; as well as Copa do Brasil football and the NBA in Brazil; and boxing and the 2023 World Baseball Classic in Japan. While availability varies by marketplace, fans can also subscribe to streaming services such as Eurosport, FOX Sports (Mexico), Viaplay Sport, MLB.TV, NBA League Pass, NBA TV, DAZN (Germany and Spain), and Premiere FC (Brazil) through Prime Video Channels. This is in addition to a selection of Amazon Original sports documentaries including Kelce, Bye Bye Barry, Coach Prime, Reggie, and the Amazon Original All or Nothing franchise.
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