Women’s sports bodies and leagues call for tax exemption

Governing bodies and associations have called on the UK Government to provide tax relief for live broadcast production of women’s sports.

Ahead of Wednesday’s budget, the Women’s Super League, Women’s Super Rugby, Sky and ITV were among those to sign a letter to Chancellor Rachel Reeves saying “the time is right to act now”.

In the letter, which was also signed by the England and Wales Cricket Board, the Football Association, the Rugby Football Union and England Netball, the organizations said the tax break would “boost participation, create jobs and support growth”.

Similar tax relief, known as the Spending Credit, already exists for some creative industries in the UK and could reduce companies’ tax bill.

In the letter, seen by BBC Sport, the organizations say the tax break will help support new events; increasing coverage of underrepresented sports; Improving the quality of radio program production and helping to create greater visibility for women’s sports.

“We believe this proposed spending credit will kick-start this decade of change and will have an immediate impact in helping boost the visibility of our amazing female athletes as well as providing the foundations for long-term growth across women’s sports production,” the letter said.

“While broadcasters have increased investment and innovation in coverage, there remains a lack of program production compared to the wider economic and societal benefits of women’s sport.”