Scripps Sports becomes local TV home for NWSL’s Denver Summit FC
Rhea-AI Summary
The E.W. Scripps Company (NASDAQ: SSP) secured exclusive local broadcast rights to National Women’s Soccer League expansion team Denver Summit FC under a multiyear agreement.
Scripps will air all non‑nationally exclusive Denver Summit FC matches on local stations Denver7 (KMGH‑TV) and The Spot Denver 3 (KCDO‑TV). The deal complements Scripps Sports’ NWSL national partnership with ION and expands its portfolio of women’s sports coverage. The full local broadcast schedule will follow the final NWSL national calendar; the NWSL regular season begins March 13, 2026.
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News Market Reaction
On the day this news was published, SSP gained 5.27%, reflecting a notable positive market reaction. Argus tracked a trough of -12.2% from its starting point during tracking. Our momentum scanner triggered 4 alerts that day, indicating moderate trading interest and price volatility. This price movement added approximately $22M to the company's valuation, bringing the market cap to $440M at that time.
Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.
Key Figures
Market Reality Check
Peers on Argus
SSP fell 2.99% while several broadcasting peers also traded lower (e.g., IHRT -5.73%, GTN -2.50%, SGA -1.19%), but no peers appeared in the momentum scanner and sector momentum was flagged as stock-specific.
Historical Context
| Date | Event | Sentiment | Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 17 | Merger proposal | Neutral | -3.0% | Sinclair issues statement regarding its merger proposal with SSP. |
| Dec 16 | Bid rejection | Neutral | +6.3% | SSP board unanimously rejects Sinclair’s unsolicited $7 per share proposal. |
| Nov 26 | Rights plan | Neutral | +0.9% | SSP adopts one-year shareholder rights plan after unsolicited acquisition proposal. |
| Nov 24 | Acquisition proposal | Neutral | +7.5% | SSP confirms receipt of unsolicited acquisition proposal from Sinclair. |
| Nov 17 | Stake purchase | Neutral | +39.9% | Sinclair acquires about 8.2% of SSP’s outstanding Class A shares. |
Over the last few months, SSP’s news flow focused on corporate control and defense rather than operating initiatives. In November 2025, Sinclair acquired about 8.2% of SSP’s Class A shares, followed by an unsolicited acquisition proposal on Nov. 24 and a limited-duration shareholder rights plan adopted on Nov. 26. In December 2025, SSP confirmed receiving and later rejecting Sinclair’s proposal. Today’s NWSL broadcast-rights deal contrasts with these prior takeover and governance headlines by emphasizing core sports programming growth.
Market Pulse Summary
The stock moved +5.3% in the session following this news. A strong positive reaction aligns with SSP’s efforts to deepen sports programming, as this deal extends its NWSL partnership into the Denver market. Investors have recently focused on takeover and balance sheet developments, so a shift toward content-related growth could be seen as constructive. However, past news tied to corporate actions moved the stock by as much as 39.87%, underscoring that sentiment can swing sharply and gains might be sensitive to future strategic headlines.
AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.
DENVER and CINCINNATI, Dec. 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Scripps Sports has secured exclusive local broadcast rights to Denver Summit FC, the National Women’s Soccer League’s newest franchise, launching in 2026.
Under the multiyear agreement, The E.W. Scripps Company (NASDAQ: SSP) will air all non-nationally exclusive matches on its local stations Denver7 (KMGH-TV) and The Spot Denver 3 (KCDO-TV).
The deal builds on Scripps Sports’ existing NWSL national partnership, where ION broadcasts premier Saturday evening double-headers throughout the league’s regular season. It also reinforces the company’s commitment to women’s professional sports, including national coverage of the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA), Major League Volleyball (MLV), ATHLOS track and field and the Elevance Health Women’s Fort Myers Tip-Off college basketball tournament. Scripps Sports is also the local television partner for the WNBA Champion Las Vegas Aces.
“From the national stage to the heart of Denver, Scripps Sports is proud to expand our successful NWSL partnership by becoming the local TV home to Denver Summit FC in its inaugural season,” said Brian Lawlor, president of Scripps Sports. “This collaboration will connect Denver’s passionate soccer community to their new team while showcasing the exceptional talent that defines women’s professional soccer.”
The complete local broadcast schedule for Denver Summit FC will be released after the full NWSL national calendar is announced. The regular season begins March 13, 2026.
Media contacts: Jim Weiss, 770-722-2142, jim.weiss@scripps.com
About Denver Summit FC
Denver Summit FC is Colorado’s women’s professional soccer club. Owned and operated by Rob Cohen and a group of passionate, local and national investors. Denver Summit FC’s aim is to engage Denver’s vibrant and diverse communities to build the best professional soccer club in the world. For additional information please visit DenverSummitFC.com.
About Scripps Sports
Scripps Sports serves professional and college sports leagues, conferences and teams with local market depth and national broadcast reach. Scripps Sports currently has partnerships with the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA), the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), the National Hockey League’s (NHL) 2024 Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers, the 2023 Stanley Cup champion Vegas Golden Knights, the new Utah Mammoth, the Las Vegas Aces of the WNBA and the NCAA’s Big Sky Conference. Scripps Sports is owned by The E.W. Scripps Company (NASDAQ: SSP).
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/64dc34be-bef3-44cb-9ce0-263564043763
FAQ
What did Scripps (SSP) announce about Denver Summit FC local TV rights on December 18, 2025?
Which Scripps stations will carry Denver Summit FC matches in 2026 for SSP?
When does the NWSL regular season start for Denver Summit FC and when will Scripps release the local schedule?
How does the Denver Summit FC agreement fit Scripps Sports’ broader strategy for SSP?
Will Scripps air nationally televised NWSL games for Denver Summit FC on Denver7?
