Whoopi Goldberg, an icon of stage and screen, is taking on a bold new venture — one that’s already creating a buzz in the sports world. Known for her memorable roles in The Color Purple and Sister Act, as well as her long-time co-hosting on The View, Goldberg has built a career on championing causes close to her heart. Now, she’s stepping into the sports arena, announcing the launch of AWSN (All Women Sports Network), a global network dedicated exclusively to women’s sports.
A Groundbreaking Announcement with Jimmy Fallon
On Wednesday night’s episode of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Goldberg made the big reveal. “I’m launching the first global women’s sports channel called AWSN,” she said, radiating excitement. “It’ll be the home for live women’s sports from around the world. Everything from soccer, basketball, tennis, cricket, curling — you name it. If a woman is playing it, we’re showing it.”
Her goal is clear: to provide a 24/7 platform for women’s sports, filling a crucial gap in media coverage that has left female athletes and their fans underserved for decades.
Why AWSN? Why Now?
Whoopi Goldberg has always been an advocate for gender equality, and her new network is deeply personal. During her interview with Fallon, she reminisced about her childhood love of sports — and the disappointment she felt being discouraged from participating simply because she was a girl. “Ever since I was a little kid, I always wanted to play sports. My brother could play… he played everything,” she recalled. “And they would say, ‘Oh, hi little girl,’” she added, referencing the dismissive attitude she encountered as a young athlete.
With AWSN, Goldberg is addressing a persistent gender imbalance in sports media. While women athletes have achieved incredible feats and gained recognition on the world stage — from the Women’s World Cup to recent record-breaking performances at the Olympics — media coverage has yet to catch up. AWSN is Goldberg’s way of changing this, ensuring female athletes have a dedicated space where their accomplishments are front and center.
AWSN’s Rapid Global Growth
AWSN is already making waves globally. The network has launched in Asia, the Middle East, and India, with distribution partnerships such as JioTV. Goldberg announced on The Tonight Show that AWSN has a major U.S. launch planned, building anticipation for American fans eager for accessible women’s sports coverage. “We’re growing really fast,” Goldberg shared, hinting at additional announcements to come.
AWSN’s Impact and Vision
Goldberg’s vision for AWSN is as ambitious as it is inspiring. Beyond live broadcasts, AWSN will feature in-depth features, athlete interviews, and special segments that bring audiences closer to the athletes. Goldberg hopes AWSN will foster a new generation of young girls who see sports as an accessible space where they, too, can excel.
In line with this mission, Goldberg even envisions a future where female athletes receive the same kind of collectibles as their male counterparts. “I feel like that will help us show that athletics, when they’re done brilliantly… it doesn’t matter who’s doing it,” she said.
A Future Focused on Representation
AWSN is more than a network; it’s a movement. Goldberg’s vision speaks to a larger cultural shift, one that sees women’s sports not as a niche interest but as an integral part of the global sports narrative. Her efforts join those of other high-profile advocates and investors in women’s sports, from Kevin Durant to Natalie Portman and Alexis Ohanian. Together, they’re redefining what sports media can and should be — inclusive, representative, and expansive.
As AWSN continues to grow, Goldberg’s commitment reminds us of the power of representation and the importance of spaces that celebrate women in every arena. For the millions of fans of women’s sports worldwide, AWSN is the platform they’ve been waiting for.