NewCo set to take over WSL before season starts

NewCo is set to complete its takeover of the Women's Super League and Women's Championship within the next few weeks.

Clubs from England's top two tiers of women's football agreed to form a club-owned organisation that will take over responsibility for the leagues from the Football Association.

The takeover, which was originally delayed, is expected to go through before the WSL season kicks off on 21-22 September, with the Women's Championship starting on 7-8 September.

A temporary name of 'NewCo' has been given to the company, which is being led by former Nike director Nikki Doucet.

A board is being formed as NewCo prepares for a first official meeting in September, followed by a shareholders' meeting in October.

There is an interim chief marketing officer in place, while a chief football officer, chief revenue officer and a head of communications have also been selected and will begin their roles in September.

NewCo is still seeking a head of products, and it intends to form a player advisory board and a fan advisory board.

Doucet told BBC Sport in March that NewCo had a firm grip on what is required to make the league the most financially viable in the women's game.

She said: "It's all about the investment on the pitch. We need to have the best players want to come and play here.

"We need to have the most competitive league, and the better the football, the more fans, and ultimately that will make it the most successful league in the world."