Reverse the WPLL rebrand
Reverse the WPLL rebrand
The Issue
As fans of women's football in England, we urge Women's Professional Leagues Ltd to immediately reverse their recent rebrand, especially the renaming of the Championship to WSL2. This decision, made without adequate consultation with fans, athletes, and stakeholders, risks alienating the very community it intends to serve.
The new branding, while perhaps intended to modernise, lacks the distinctiveness and recognition these leagues deserve. Instead, the new look is child-like and outdated, reverting back to the historical name of the Championship, which was rightly changed to avoid belittling the incredible athletes within the league and to avoid confusion for newly exposed viewers (Premier League 2 is the men's Under-21 league). The rebrand fails to capture the unique spirit and inspiring narratives that define English football, the Super League and the Championship, and their incredible athletes, and calls much too closely upon the branding for the World Surf League, with whom the WSL acronym is shared. We believe that the strength of women's football within the England lies in the distinct identities of its leagues and the passionate communities that support them.
'We're not just a league. We're a movement.' - No. You are just a league, and that is okay. Let the movement come from the fans, players and teams. As a league body, we ask that you focus on expanding the league, ensuring access to well-trained referees and officials, and guaranteeing the success of two exciting, competitive leagues.
Looking at the online response, it is clear that fans, companies, and industry professionals alike are all unhappy with this change. We demand that Women's Professional Leagues Ltd:
- Immediately halt the implementation of the new branding.
- Actively engage in meaningful consultation with fans, athletes, industry professionals, and other stakeholders.
- Reconsider and ultimately reverse this ill-conceived rebrand.
Let our collective voice be heard. Sign this petition to protect the identity and future of women's football in England!
68
The Issue
As fans of women's football in England, we urge Women's Professional Leagues Ltd to immediately reverse their recent rebrand, especially the renaming of the Championship to WSL2. This decision, made without adequate consultation with fans, athletes, and stakeholders, risks alienating the very community it intends to serve.
The new branding, while perhaps intended to modernise, lacks the distinctiveness and recognition these leagues deserve. Instead, the new look is child-like and outdated, reverting back to the historical name of the Championship, which was rightly changed to avoid belittling the incredible athletes within the league and to avoid confusion for newly exposed viewers (Premier League 2 is the men's Under-21 league). The rebrand fails to capture the unique spirit and inspiring narratives that define English football, the Super League and the Championship, and their incredible athletes, and calls much too closely upon the branding for the World Surf League, with whom the WSL acronym is shared. We believe that the strength of women's football within the England lies in the distinct identities of its leagues and the passionate communities that support them.
'We're not just a league. We're a movement.' - No. You are just a league, and that is okay. Let the movement come from the fans, players and teams. As a league body, we ask that you focus on expanding the league, ensuring access to well-trained referees and officials, and guaranteeing the success of two exciting, competitive leagues.
Looking at the online response, it is clear that fans, companies, and industry professionals alike are all unhappy with this change. We demand that Women's Professional Leagues Ltd:
- Immediately halt the implementation of the new branding.
- Actively engage in meaningful consultation with fans, athletes, industry professionals, and other stakeholders.
- Reconsider and ultimately reverse this ill-conceived rebrand.
Let our collective voice be heard. Sign this petition to protect the identity and future of women's football in England!
68
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Petition created on 12 May 2025