Alex Scott Leaves Disney+ for New Women’s Football Projects

Alex Scott has stepped away from her role as a presenter of Disney+’s UEFA Women’s Champions League coverage, choosing to focus on other professional projects, including her new women’s football show, One More Word WSL. The former England and Arsenal defender had fronted the streaming platform’s coverage of Europe’s leading women’s club competition since Disney+ secured the broadcasting rights in 2025.

Scott’s departure comes after Disney+’s coverage faced criticism following technical problems during the opening round of fixtures this season. One of the most notable incidents involved an unscheduled advertising break that interrupted the second half of Arsenal’s 1-0 victory over HB Køge for more than three minutes.

However, the decision for Scott to leave is understood to have been her own, with the presenter looking to dedicate more time to her growing portfolio of projects. Her departure also comes as she continues to develop new opportunities to promote women’s football through her own production company.

Disney+ has thanked Scott for her contribution, while representatives for the presenter have indicated that she remains grateful for the opportunity to work with the streaming platform. Sources have also indicated that the relationship between Scott and Disney remains positive despite the criticism surrounding the coverage.

Why Alex Scott Has Left Disney+’s Women’s Champions League Coverage

Scott’s decision to leave Disney+ is understood to be motivated by her desire to concentrate on other projects rather than a breakdown in her relationship with the broadcaster. One of her major priorities is One More Word WSL, a show she launched at the beginning of the current Women’s Super League season.

The programme is produced through Scott’s own production company, First Cap Productions Limited, and features fellow former England internationals Anita Asante and Fara Williams. The project reflects Scott’s continued commitment to women’s football and her interest in exploring fresh ways to cover the domestic game.

Scott previously explained that the show was created in response to the BBC’s decision to cancel its weekly Women’s Super League highlights programme. Rather than stepping away from women’s football coverage, she chose to develop an alternative platform focused on the competition.

Her departure from Disney+ therefore comes at a time when she is expanding her independent production work. Alongside her broadcasting commitments, Scott has continued to advocate for greater investment, stronger formats and more consistent coverage of women’s football.

Although criticism of Disney+’s Champions League coverage has formed part of the wider discussion around her role, the available information indicates that Scott made the decision to move on herself. Her representatives have also suggested that the door remains open for future collaboration with Disney.

Disney+ Thanks Alex Scott for Her Contribution

Disney+ has publicly acknowledged Scott’s work on its UEFA Women’s Champions League coverage and expressed appreciation for her contribution to the competition’s presentation.

“We would like to extend our sincere thanks to Alex Scott for her contribution to our coverage of the Uefa Women’s Champions League on Disney+. Her passion for the women’s game and the competition shone through throughout her time with us, and we are grateful for all she contributed. We wish her every success.”

The statement highlighted Scott’s enthusiasm for women’s football and the role she played during her time with the streaming service. Disney+ did not present her departure as a dispute and instead offered its best wishes for her future career.

Scott’s representatives also struck a positive tone when responding to her exit. They said she appreciated the opportunities she had received while working with Disney+ and hoped the two sides could continue to collaborate in the future.

“Alex is grateful for the opportunities she has had to work with the team at Disney+ and hopes that they continue to work together in the future.”

The comments suggest that Scott’s departure does not necessarily signal a permanent end to her professional relationship with Disney. However, no specific future project or renewed presenting role has been confirmed in the supplied information.

Disney+’s Women’s Champions League Coverage Faced Technical Criticism

Scott’s departure follows criticism of Disney+’s production during the opening round of Women’s Champions League fixtures this season. The coverage encountered a series of technical problems that raised questions about the viewing experience for supporters.

The most prominent incident occurred during Arsenal’s 1-0 victory over HB Køge, when an unscheduled advertising break interrupted the second half for more than three minutes. The interruption became a particular talking point because it occurred during a live European club match.

The technical issues prompted criticism of the production standards surrounding the competition’s coverage. For supporters following the Women’s Champions League, uninterrupted access to matches is an important part of the viewing experience, making such interruptions especially frustrating.

Scott later discussed the criticism in an interview with The Observer, acknowledging that she had not agreed with every decision made in connection with the coverage. She also indicated that she had tried to provide advice, while recognising the limits of her influence.

“Ultimately, do I agree with all the decisions that were made? Absolutely not. Did I try and advise? Yes, but I can only do so much.”

Scott’s comments offered a glimpse into the challenges she faced behind the scenes. While she was a visible part of the presentation team, she made clear that her role did not mean she controlled every production decision.

Her remarks also highlighted the difference between presenting a competition and having authority over all aspects of its broadcast. Although she could offer advice, she could not necessarily determine the final decisions made by the production team.

Alex Scott Opens Up About the Challenges Behind the Scenes

In her interview with The Observer, Scott discussed the criticism surrounding Disney+’s Women’s Champions League coverage and defended the effort she had made to support the women’s game.

The former England international suggested that viewers did not see the conversations and disagreements taking place behind the scenes. She maintained that she had tried to improve the situation, even when she could not control every decision.

“But nobody sees the conversations, the fights I have behind the scenes. But I can hold my head up and know that I’ve always tried my best for the greater good of women’s sport.”

The comments reflected Scott’s wider commitment to women’s football. Throughout her broadcasting career, she has been involved in coverage of major sporting events and has used her platform to support the growth of the women’s game.

Her remarks also came amid a broader debate about the resources and formats used to cover women’s football. Scott has argued that the success of women’s football programmes should not be judged solely through the lens of audience figures or cost-cutting decisions.

Although she acknowledged her disagreements with decisions made during Disney+’s coverage, the source indicates that her relationship with the platform remains positive. Her departure is understood to be driven by her desire to focus on other work rather than an acrimonious split.

Scott Criticises the Lack of Investment in Women’s Football Shows

Scott has also spoken about the challenges facing television coverage of women’s football, particularly following the cancellation of the BBC’s weekly Women’s Super League highlights show.

She presented the BBC’s Football Focus for five seasons before the programme was closed this year. At the beginning of the current Women’s Super League campaign, she launched One More Word WSL as an alternative platform for discussing the domestic competition.

In her interview with The Observer, Scott questioned the repeated suggestion that women’s football programmes could struggle because of viewing figures or financial pressures.

“I feel like there’s always an excuse about women’s football shows not working because of the viewership or needing to save money. Whereas I think if they are done right, they can work, if things are given a fresh idea or a fresh format, they can work.”

Her comments emphasised the importance of innovation in sports broadcasting. Rather than assuming that women’s football programmes cannot attract an audience, Scott argued that broadcasters should consider whether the format and presentation meet the needs of viewers.

The launch of One More Word WSL reflects that approach. By developing the programme through her own production company and working with Anita Asante and Fara Williams, Scott has created another opportunity to discuss the Women’s Super League outside the traditional highlights-show format.

Her move away from Disney+ will allow her to focus more closely on these independent projects, although the full extent of her future broadcasting plans has not been detailed.

Who Is Alex Scott? From England Defender to Leading Sports Presenter

Alex Scott is a former England international and Arsenal defender who has established a second career as one of Britain’s prominent sports broadcasters. Her experience as a player has helped shape her work covering football, while her presenting career has extended into major sporting events and entertainment programmes.

Scott has worked on major BBC sports coverage, including the 2020 Olympic Games. She also became widely recognised through her work on Football Focus, which she presented for five seasons before the programme’s closure.

Beyond football broadcasting, Scott has appeared on popular television entertainment programmes, including the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing and ITV’s I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!.

Her career across sport and entertainment has given her a broad public profile. However, women’s football remains a significant focus of her professional work, as demonstrated by her involvement in the Women’s Champions League coverage and the launch of One More Word WSL.

Scott turned 42 on Wednesday, according to the supplied report. As she moves away from her Disney+ presenting role, her independent production work is expected to remain an important part of her professional portfolio.

Who Will Present Disney+’s Women’s Champions League Coverage Now?

Disney+’s coverage of the Women’s Champions League is expected to continue following Scott’s departure. The streaming platform secured an exclusive five-year agreement in 2025 to broadcast the competition across European broadcast territories.

The presenting team is understood to include Shebahn Aherne, Nedum Onuoha and Lianne Sanderson. The commentary lineup also includes Vicki Sparks and Jacqui Oatley.

Disney’s coverage is produced by ESPN, and the broadcaster’s existing agreement gives the platform a substantial role in the European presentation of the competition. Scott’s exit therefore represents a change to the presenting team rather than an announced end to Disney+’s involvement in the tournament.

The competition is scheduled to resume on October 28, according to the supplied report. Disney+ will continue its coverage with the remaining members of its team, although the source does not provide further details about any additional changes to its presentation plans.

Key Details About Alex Scott’s Disney+ Departure

Frequently Asked Questions

Why has Alex Scott left Disney+?

Scott is understood to have decided to leave her role as a Women’s Champions League presenter to focus on other projects, including her women’s football programme, One More Word WSL. Her departure has not been described as the result of a breakdown in her relationship with Disney+.

Did Alex Scott leave Disney+ because of criticism of its coverage?

The supplied report states that Scott’s decision to leave was her own and that she wanted to concentrate on other projects. However, she had publicly criticised some decisions surrounding Disney+’s coverage and said she had tried to offer advice behind the scenes.

What is Alex Scott’s new show, One More Word WSL?

One More Word WSL is a women’s football programme launched at the start of the current Women’s Super League season. It is produced through Scott’s company, First Cap Productions Limited, and features former England internationals Anita Asante and Fara Williams.

What did Disney+ say about Alex Scott’s departure?

Disney+ thanked Scott for her contribution, praised her passion for women’s football and the Champions League, and wished her success in her future projects. Her representatives also said she was grateful for the opportunities she had received and hoped to work with Disney again in the future.

Which presenters are expected to continue Disney+’s Women’s Champions League coverage?

The presenting team is understood to continue to include Shebahn Aherne, Nedum Onuoha and Lianne Sanderson. Commentators include Vicki Sparks and Jacqui Oatley.

When will the Women’s Champions League resume?

According to the supplied report, the competition is scheduled to resume on October 28.

Conclusion

Alex Scott’s decision to leave Disney+’s Women’s Champions League presenting team marks a new chapter in her broadcasting career as she focuses on independent projects and the development of women’s football coverage.

Although Disney+’s production faced criticism following technical problems during the opening round of fixtures, Scott’s departure is understood to be her own decision. Both Disney+ and her representatives have expressed appreciation for their professional relationship, leaving open the possibility of future collaboration.

Scott’s launch of One More Word WSL reflects her belief that women’s football deserves fresh formats and sustained investment. As Disney+ prepares to continue its Champions League coverage without her, Scott is set to focus on projects that allow her to keep contributing to the growth and visibility of the women’s game.