FREMANTLE AND THE WOMEN'S PRO BASEBALL LEAGUE ANNOUNCE STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP ACROSS MEDIA, DIGITAL AND BUSINESS VERTICALS

A Landmark Alliance with Fremantle will Ensure the Women's Pro Baseball League's Growth, Success and Visibility On and Off the Field

BURBANK, Calif., May 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Fremantle and the Women's Pro Baseball League (WPBL) today announced that they have entered into a strategic partnership that will see the companies collaborating across numerous sectors of business. In this integrated approach, Fremantle will provide development, production, distribution, digital, sponsorship representation, licensing and marketing partnership support across the league. In addition, Fremantle will oversee shoulder programming, documentaries, and a range of engaging entertainment properties aimed at informing and connecting fans with all happenings across the league.

The WPBL is the only professional women's baseball league in America and will launch with six teams for its inaugural season beginning in the spring of 2026. This collaboration establishes a landmark relationship between a sports league and Fremantle, ensuring a comprehensive approach to the WPBL's growth, success, and visibility, both on and off the field. 

"Fremantle's new alliance with the WPBL marks a significant milestone in the continued advancement and diversification of our sports business, and we are so proud to be a part of their journey to redefine women's professional baseball," said Jennifer Mullin, Fremantle CEO. "We are excited to play a pivotal role in helping elevate the league and its athletes, and we look forward to contributing to its success at every level."

This partnership announcement comes on the heels of the WPBL's recent news that global women's sports leader Assia Grazioli-Venier has joined the League as Chair, and that Muse Sport—the sports advisory arm of her firm, Muse Capital—has also joined the league as an official advisory partner.

"The partnership with Fremantle is a major inflection point for the WPBL as we shape the future of women's baseball," said Assia Grazioli-Venier, Chair of the WPBL. "By aligning with one of the world's largest media companies, we're amplifying the voices and stories of our league and players in ways never seen before in the sport."

Fremantle's partnership with the WPBL is part of its strategic plan to further solidify its presence in the sports arena with the recent launch of the company's global division, Fremantle Sports, which is being led by Owain Walbyoff who was recently named Director of Sports. With a focus on non-scripted and factual documentaries, and new digital formats, Fremantle Sports will look to significantly expand the company's current sports offerings. By leveraging their extensive creative network, Fremantle Sports will execute on the best sports projects on a global scale, while allowing sports talent and rights holders to engage with their global fanbase.

WPBL recently announced their upcoming recruiting and scouting camp efforts, demonstrating the league's commitment to building a strong, competitive foundation as they march towards their opening day in spring of 2026. In the lead-up to its inaugural season, the WPBL has several significant milestones planned, including a nationwide tryout and scouting process launching this summer, with over 400 players already registered to participate. Following the tryouts, WPBL will host its inaugural player draft in the Fall, followed shortly thereafter by a high-profile showcase all-star weekend featuring a series of special events.

This groundbreaking deal, which brings together one of the leading entertainment companies with the nation's newest and most dynamic sports league, was spearheaded by Tim Grau, executive vice president of business and legal affairs for Fremantle. 

About Fremantle 

Fremantle is a leading global creator, producer and distributor of some of the world's most successful content across Entertainment, Drama & Film, and Documentaries.

Amplifying local stories on a global scale, Fremantle produces and delivers premium, multi-genre IP across the 27 territories it operates in. Fremantle is a proudly independent group of content creators, and home to some of the biggest entertainment formats, compelling international dramas, award-winning films and high-quality documentaries. 

From Got Talent to Sullivan's Crossing, Family Feud to Poor Things, Fellow Travelers to Queens, Too Hot To Handle to Big Mood, Maxton Hall to Idols, and Queer to The Zelensky Story, our focus is simple – Fremantle creates and delivers irresistible entertainment.

Fremantle also represents world-leading digital and branded entertainment, with more than 550 million fans and 360 billion views for its standout content across all platforms. Fremantle's Global Channels unit consists of more than 20 FAST channels worldwide, including BUZZR, RIG TV, and Baywatch.

Fremantle is part of RTL Group, a global leader across broadcast, streaming, content and digital, itself a division of the international media, services, and education company Bertelsmann.

For more information, please visit www.fremantle.com, follow Fremantle on Twitter @FremantleHQ and Instagram @fremantle or visit Fremantle's LinkedIn page.

About the WPBL

The Women's Pro Baseball League (WPBL) is the only professional women's baseball league in America and will launch with six teams in the summer of 2026. The WPBL will be a national league and will consist of a regular season, playoffs and championship throughout the summer of 2026. The League is Co-Founded by baseball pioneer, Justine Siegal, who is the first woman to coach a professional men's baseball team and to pitch batting practice in Major League Baseball. For more information on the WPBL, visit www.womensprobaseballleague.com.

SOURCE Women's Pro Baseball League