Whoopi Goldberg and George Chung
Whoopi Goldberg—renowned TV host, actress, activist and the first Black EGOT winner—has always been a trailblazer and influential voice across many fields and industries. Now she is boldly pioneering a new venture: All Women’s Sports Network (AWSN), the first ever global network dedicated exclusively to women’s sports.
“I am a huge sports fan and a supporter of women’s sports and women in sports and have never felt women and girls have had the same opportunities and support that male athletes have,” Goldberg told me. “I have always looked to media to provide equal time and opportunity to follow women’s basketball, soccer, volleyball—beyond the Olympics. I knew that if I couldn’t find these sports and watch the amazing female athletes playing them, others weren’t finding them either.”
With interest in women’s sports at an all-time high—evidenced by record-setting viewership in 2024—yet coverage still being vastly disproportionate to men’s sports, Goldberg recognized the long overdue need to level the playing field. She partnered with media executive and lifelong martial artist George Chung, AWSN’s cofounder and CEO. “I met George and both of us agreed that there was an opportunity not only to create a business but provide a much-needed service to male and female sports fans, women and brands that wanted to support the amazing athletes in women’s sports across the globe,” she said. “I really hope shining a light on women’s sports will help elevate female athletes around the world.”
Goldberg and Chung teamed up with streaming service Jungo TV and launched AWSN in November. The network offers live women’s sports matches, featuring some of the biggest leagues in the world such as UEFA, FIBA, WTA and WNBL, reaching over 2 billion people in 65 countries.
“As someone who has always been passionate about the intersection of sports and media, I saw an opportunity with AWSN to create a platform that amplifies the stories of incredible female athletes and provides them with the coverage they deserve,” Chung explained. “Women’s sports have historically been underrepresented in traditional media, and that needs to change. Whoopi’s dream is to celebrate the talent, determination and unique narratives in women’s sports and to build a dedicated community for fans who want to be part of that journey.”
When I asked Goldberg what she hopes to achieve with the network, she said, “We want AWSN to be a media network for everyone who is a fan of women’s sports from across the globe. Women are amazing athletes and compete with as much focus and intensity as men. It’s our chance to provide a more even playing field for fans to watch and support the art of sports and competition.” She went on to say that she hopes the network will provide viewers with “inspiration, aspiration, great athletic performances, interesting sports you might not be aware of and unique stories from all over the world.”
Chung added, “Our goal is to elevate women’s sports to new heights by giving them a platform that’s exclusively focused on showcasing their achievements. We’re not just creating a network; we’re building a movement. Through AWSN, we want to drive greater visibility, generate more opportunities for female athletes and inspire the next generation to see that the sky’s the limit for them in sports. Ultimately, we hope to change the way women’s sports are perceived and valued in the broader sports and entertainment ecosystem.”
The goal of inspiring the next generation of women athletes is an important one, especially since sports have been shown to offer numerous benefits—including increasing self-esteem, decreasing depression and anxiety and creating stronger peer relationships—yet girls are two to three times more likely to drop out of sports than boys.
As Goldberg told me, AWSN gives girls “an opportunity to see themselves. To dream. To know that if they dream it, they can do it. Sports is the great leveler—it provides an opportunity to compete, to dream and perform. Sports teaches and encourages discipline, teamwork and the pursuit of personal excellence. And it’s fun!”
Research shows that participation in sports also correlates to future leadership roles, with a recent study from the Women’s Sports Foundation stating, “There is a clear and positive relationship between years spent in youth sports and holding formal leadership titles in adulthood, with greater years of involvement rendering greater likelihood of leadership.”
The broader opportunity of AWSN is to make meaningful strides toward closing gaps of women’s sports coverage and women athletes’ pay. As Chung described it, “AWSN is uniquely positioned to challenge the inequities in women’s sports by creating a dedicated space for coverage, representation and storytelling. Visibility is a critical first step toward equity—if people can see the talent and excitement in women’s sports, they’ll be more likely to invest, attend games and support these athletes. Beyond visibility, we aim to provide a platform for advocacy and discussion, pushing for systemic changes like equal pay, better sponsorship opportunities and expanded resources for female athletes.”
Aptly, AWSN’s motto is, “When She Wins, We All Win.” When I asked Goldberg to elaborate, she said, “It’s as simple as that: when women are shown on the pitch, in the arena, the pool, the stadium—it’s not about one person’s victory but everyone’s. We want to showcase and celebrate the victory of women excelling in the beautiful athletic competitions we collectively call sports.”
Ultimately, the far-reaching nature of this global network has the potential to shape the future of the women’s sports industry. “Women’s sports are not just an emerging market—they are a powerful force,” Chung told me. “At AWSN, we believe that the future of sports is inclusive, equitable and inspiring, and we’re honored to play a part in shaping that future. This is just the beginning, and we’re excited to continue amplifying the voices of women in sports and celebrating their success on and off the field. Thank you to everyone who has supported this vision—we’re building something truly special, together.”
For more information and to start watching, visit AWSN or stream the AWSN channel on Vizio.
See Whoopi Goldberg’s announcement video below.
