The Northern Super League (NSL), the new Canadian professional women’s soccer league set to launch in 2025, has appointed Christina Litz as its first-ever president.
The experienced Canadian sports executive was selected unanimously by the NSL club owners ahead of the inaugural season kick-off in April next year.
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NSL founder Diana Matheson will transition to the role of chief growth officer, meanwhile. The new position will enable Matheson to focus on growing women’s soccer in Canada.
Under this role, she will focus on developing further league opportunities and connections with fans, partners, and investors. Matheson will continue to act as the NSL’s primary spokesperson and ambassador.
The NSL said Litz’s experience in sports management in commercial and marketing matters will help the league “drive women’s soccer in Canada to new heights.”
Matheson commented: “Part of the ambition of this project from the beginning was to create opportunities for women on and off the field and to attract top business leaders to help us expand.
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By GlobalData“Christina’s extensive sports business experience, dedication, and overall vision make her the perfect person to lead us to kick-off in 2025 and beyond.
“We need a team of driven leaders working together to make professional women’s soccer in Canada a key part of the global sports landscape. As I shift into my new role, we will work to ensure the Northern Super League competes as one of the world’s top professional leagues.”
Litz, meanwhile, previously held senior roles at leading sports organizations, including the Canadian Football League, Woodbine Entertainment, and most recently, True North Sports and Entertainment as chief brand and commercial officer.
On being named president, Litz said: “I am honored to take on the role of president of the Northern Super League and lead this ground-breaking League into its next chapter.
“Diana, the club owners, and the entire ‘Project 8’ team have done a phenomenal job establishing a solid base for the League, and I am excited to continue this momentum. Together, we will build on their vision and efforts to elevate women’s soccer in Canada across all platforms in preparation for the league’s inaugural season.”
The launch of the NSL was unveiled in late May by former Canadian international soccer player Matheson and her Project 8 group.
The league will feature six teams in Ottawa, Montreal, Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, and Halifax.
The new competition is owned equally by the clubs, with Matheson's group also holding an ownership share.
Last month, the NSL secured its first broadcast deal, with TSN and RDS, the Bell Media-owned sports networks, and national public service broadcaster CBC/Radio Canada landing domestic rights.
The league's founding corporate partners are Canadian Tire, DoorDash, CIBC, and Air Canada.
The NSL will receive $1 million annually from Canada Soccer, matching what the national governing body gives the men's Canadian Premier League.
