The Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) team, New York Liberty have struck a multi-year deal with the global banking giant, Barclays.
Following the development, Barclays has been named the official banking partner of New York Liberty. The partnership includes prominent jersey patch placement for the upcoming 2024 WNBA season. This sponsorship is one of the largest financial injections in Liberty’s franchise history.
Beyond brand visibility, both organizations are dedicated to empowering women on and off the court. Barclays will expand its existing relationship with the Good Shepherd Services’ Rebound Program in Brooklyn. This program utilizes basketball to equip young people with vital skills to combat unemployment.
Keia Clarke, New York Liberty, CEO, said, “We are thrilled to welcome Barclays as the Liberty’s Official Banking Partner. This investment is another example of how women’s sports are capturing the hearts and minds of sports fans around the world. The commitment of Barclays allows the Liberty to continually grow our business and the broaden our impact. Our community is the ultimate beneficiary here, and we look forward working alongside Barclays to provide young New Yorkers with the opportunities to develop life skills, a shared sense of community, and self-confidence through basketball.”
Meghan Graper, Co-Head of Debt Capital Markets at Barclays, said, “New York is our home and the center of the financial world, and our sponsorship of the New York Liberty reiterates our pride in powering the people and communities that are the heartbeat of New York. In addition, our sponsorship is an evolution of our footprint that for decades has been supporting female athletes, youth athletes, and disadvantaged youth and we’re incredibly proud and excited of the value it will bring to the city, to our colleagues, and to our clients.”
Barclays boasts a rich 325-year history as a diversified universal bank. Its global presence spans over 40 countries, with a workforce exceeding 83,500. From consumer banking to top-tier corporate and investment services, Barclays offers a comprehensive suite of financial solutions.
This partnership strengthens Barclays’ existing ties with BSE Global, owners of both the Liberty and the National Basketball Association‘s (NBA) Brooklyn Nets. It complements the existing sponsorship of the Barclays Center, the shared home arena for both teams. Notably, this deal further underscores Barclays’ dedication to supporting women’s sports. The British multinational Universal Bank is already the title sponsor of the top two professional women’s soccer leagues in the UK, the Barclays Women’s Super League (WAL) and the Barclays Women’s Championship. Additionally, the bank holds the title sponsorship for Wimbledon, solidifying its commitment to athletic excellence across various disciplines.
New York Liberty, established in 1996, is one of the original three WNBA franchises still in operation. They boast a history of success, reaching the WNBA Finals five times and recently achieving their best season ever in 2023. This season included a franchise-record 32-8 finish, a WNBA Commissioner’s Cup Championship victory, and their first WNBA Finals appearance in 21 years. The New York franchise will look to continue this momentum as it tips off the 2024 season against Washington Mystics on May 14, following the WNBA pre-season which starts on May 4.