Social Media Analysis Reveals Surge in Male Support for Women’s Soccer
Key Findings: Growth, Attitudes, and Player Visibility in Women’s Soccer
Recent insights from a large-scale study of 400,000 social media posts show a dramatic shift in the landscape of women’s soccer fandom. Not only has male engagement in discussions about the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) surged by 354% over the past year, but overall sentiment toward the sport has become significantly more favorable. Online negativity is dropping, and interest in major women’s soccer events is at an all-time high.
Other highlights from the research include:
– Men’s social media discussion about the NWSL has expanded rapidly, experiencing a 354% jump year-over-year.
– Positive sentiment regarding women’s soccer posts grew by 32%.
– The prevalence of hostile or abusive online commentary declined by 45% in the last year.
– Discussions about the NWSL draft on social platforms rose by 22%.
– Stars such as Kelley O’Hara, Ali Krieger, and Marta Vieira da Silva are the most celebrated, while Cristiane Rozeira, Julie Ertz, and Megan Rapinoe receive the most online criticism.
Why Is Women’s Soccer Attracting More Attention Now?
The 2020 season marked a record-breaking moment for the NWSL, which saw its television audience rise by almost 500% even as many other sports experienced decreased viewership. Partnerships with broadcasters CBS and streaming platform Twitch made matches widely accessible, drawing new viewers from around the world and fueling unprecedented global interest.
As the sport reached broader audiences, researchers sought to analyze how this exposure transformed engagement and perception. A comparative study of social media activity during a set 7-day period in both 2020 and 2021 reveals major changes in fan demographics, sentiment, and overall conversation.
NWSL Fan Demographics: Male Interest Outpaces Expectations
For decades, women’s soccer battled for visibility and respect, often constrained by outdated perceptions regarding pay equity and legitimacy. While some sports authorities have previously argued that men’s teams bear greater “responsibility,” the situation in the stands and online tells a different story.
In early 2020, only 21% of social media posts about the NWSL draft were authored by men. By the following year, this number had increased by 354%, shifting men’s share of online discussion from a minority to a majority. This marked rise showcases a broadening of the NWSL’s appeal beyond its traditional female fan base.
A Noticeable Decline in Online Negativity and Hostility
All indicators suggest that 2021 was the most positive year on record for the online reputation of women’s soccer.
Researchers reviewed over 332,000 social media posts from 2020, discovering that roughly 25% reflected a positive view of the sport. A year later, positive sentiment expanded by 32%, comprising more than one-third of all posts. In contrast, the share of negative messages fell by a third, accounting for just over 4% of social media conversations about women’s soccer.
This trend mirrors larger shifts highlighted in UK research, where the majority of Brits endorse equal media coverage for men’s and women’s sports—so long as it does not reduce coverage of men’s events.
Fewer Trolling and Abusive Posts on the Rise
Our findings indicate a substantial drop in posts characterized by anger or disgust.
Angry and disgusted posts made up 13% of NWSL-related discussion in 2020, but dropped to just 7.1% in 2021—a decrease approaching half.
Despite these improvements, challenges persist. Surveys still report that up to one-third of UK female athletes have faced online abuse. Public figures like television pundit Karen Carney have even left social media to escape targeted attacks. While the data shows real progress, eradicating online harassment remains a crucial goal for women’s sports.
Rising Engagement with NWSL Drafts and Events
Interest in the NWSL draft is at an all-time high. In a single week surrounding the 2021 draft event, social media users published 13,035 posts, marking a 22% increase and over 2,300 more posts than the same period in 2020.
The surge in engagement links directly to the accessible live streaming of the draft—especially on Twitch for the first time. Teams like Sky Blue FC, Orlando Pride, and Houston Dash were the most mentioned throughout the event, reflecting heightened fan enthusiasm.
The Most Supported and Criticized Female Soccer Stars
While female icons like the top 10 most famous women’s soccer players command a combined 20.5 million Instagram followers—a fraction compared to their male counterparts—the online spotlight is increasingly intense.
Brazil’s Cristiane Rozeira, the Chicago Red Stars’ Julie Ertz, and Megan Rapinoe of OL Reign are the most targeted by online trolls. On the other hand, athletes garnering the most admiration online include Washington Spirit’s Kelley O’Hara, Orlando Pride’s Ali Krieger, and Brazil’s Marta Vieira da Silva.
Conclusion: Women’s Soccer Is On the Rise—and So Is Its Fan Base
Social media analysis reveals a dramatic transformation in attitudes toward women’s soccer, with a surge in male interest, a more optimistic online climate, and swelling engagement across digital platforms. Although online hostility and abuse have not disappeared, the ongoing progress points to a sport whose best days are still ahead—supported by a rapidly diversifying and increasingly passionate global community.
Study Methodology
Social listening platform Brandwatch was used to examine 400,000 posts about the NWSL, comparing identical week-long intervals in 2020 and 2021, as well as analyzing player-specific content around the top 10 female footballers worldwide.
