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PROJECT

The National Women's Soccer League’s first-ever awards ceremony marked a major moment for women’s sports, so the league partnered with INNOVATIVE to make this milestone event truly unforgettable. Our team designed a complete visual system, crafted more than 300 custom assets, and directed both the live event and national ESPN2 broadcast. The result was a seamless, high-impact production that set a new standard for the league.

SERVICES PROVIDED

Video Production
Graphic Design
Motion Graphics
Scriptwriting
Editing & Post-Production
Event Production
Live Television Production
Stage Management
Presentation Design

Helping the NWSL Make History with Its Inaugural Awards Celebration

We set the visual standard for the inaugural NWSL Awards.

All eyes are on women’s sports, and the energy surrounding the NWSL in particular is stronger than ever. Built on the legacy of icons like Brianna Scurry, Brandi Chastain, Hope Solo, and Lauren Holiday, the league has stepped into a new era of visibility and celebration, truly taking the world by storm.

That momentum led to a major milestone this November: the NWSL’s first-ever awards ceremony. Accolades that were once celebrated internally would now become a glamorous televised spectacle. The event was held at the San Jose Civic Theater and broadcast live on ESPN2. To help bring the night to life,  the NWSL called on INNOVATIVE to help design, edit, build, and execute the full show experience.

In the weeks leading up to the ceremony, our team joined the NWSL and their production partners for weekly pre-production meetings, taking in every detail—from the technical specs of the five in-house screens to the cadence of each cue in the run of show. We also immersed ourselves in the world of women’s professional soccer, learning the players, the storylines, and the significance of the league’s first awards show.

We built every asset with careful attention to detail for both show and broadcast.

MVP NOMINEE PACKAGE

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR NOMINEE PACKAGE

Using the NWSL’s 2024 style guide as our foundation, our team developed a complete graphic toolbox to support every visual element across both the in-person event and the national ESPN2 broadcast.

While our design and motion graphics team worked on the graphics toolkit, our video production team was reviewing footage, building highlight reels, and gathering stats for players that were projected to be nominees. The official list of nominees for each category weren’t announced until a week before the event, so early preparation was essential to ensure a fast and efficient final edit.

Once nominees were revealed, we moved quickly to write scripts, record voiceovers, finalize edits, and assemble all the elements needed to build packages for every award, recognition, and major moment featured during the ceremony and the ESPN2 broadcast.

Because certain sponsors could not appear on ESPN2, nearly each of the 300 assets required alternate versions. Our team paid close attention to detail to ensure correct file delivery, seamless playback, and a consistent experience across both the live show and the national broadcast.

We produced a milestone moment that will shape the league’s newest tradition for years to come.

NWSL Awards Set Up
Back stage crew
NWSL Awards Theater
Production trucks
With the creative elements completed, six members of our team traveled to San Jose, California, to produce and direct the awards show. From the moment we arrived, our team moved straight into show mode—loading visual assets into the playback system, testing cues, and troubleshooting last-minute changes.

While part of our team directed the live show and managed the stage inside the theater, others were focused on producing and directing the live ESPN2 broadcast. Working alongside NWSL staff and production partners, we helped deliver a polished, high-energy experience for players, coaches, and fans across the country.

This inaugural awards show set a new standard for the National Women’s Soccer League, and our team was proud to help shape this milestone moment. The ceremony marked the start of a new tradition—one that will continue to elevate the league, honor its players, and expand the reach of women’s sports for future generations.