M+C Saatchi acquires Women’s Sports Group

M+C Saatchi Group has acquired the specialist women’s sport advisory and media rights consultancy, The Women’s Sports Group (WSG).

WSG will maintain its brand and operate as WSG, part of M+C Saatchi Sport & Entertainment. Co-founders Rachel Knight and Steph Harries will become co-MDs of the division, reporting to Robin Clarke, Global CEO, M+C Saatchi Sport & Entertainment.

Founded in 2020, WSG’s client portfolio includes the Barclays Women’s Super League, Premiership Women’s Rugby, the Billie Jean King Cup, and Arsenal FC. The acquisition is the latest in a series of moves by M+C Saatchi to deepen its sports credentials, following the recent launch of M+C Saatchi Football with Jamie Redknapp and the acquisition of Middle East-based agency DUNE | 23.

Robin Clarke, Global CEO, M+C Saatchi Sport & Entertainment said, “WSG brings rare rights market intelligence, senior negotiating muscle, and trusted relationships across the sports ecosystem. Coupled with our creativity, data, our global footprint and Cultural Power tools, we can now help brands, rights holders and broadcasters grow value end-to-end – particularly in the rapidly growing women’s sport economy. With our Cultural Power Index and Return on Cultural Power solutions, we’re uniquely placed to show brands not just the commercial upside, but how to become part of the cultural shifts redefining the future of sport.”

Rachel Knight, Co-Managing Director, WSG – part of M+C Saatchi Sport & Entertainment, added, “Our ambition has always been to elevate women’s sport by unlocking its full commercial and cultural potential. We’ve delivered deals that helped shape the market to date. Partnering with M+C Saatchi enables us to combine our rights and dealmaking expertise with their creativity and Cultural Power tools, helping organisations not only grow value, but become part of the cultural change driving the women’s game forward.”

Steph Harries, Co-Managing Director, WSG – part of M+C Saatchi Sport & Entertainment, concluded, “Since WSG’s inception, we have been proud of the role we have played in shaping the sustainable commercial future of women’s sport – creating strategic partnerships and driving record-breaking audiences and visibility. Joining forces with M+C Saatchi will ensure even greater impact, with powerful storytelling and cultural intelligence to deepen connections with fans, brands and rights holders, unlocking long-term cultural and commercial growth.”