The Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) and DraftKings Inc., a leading American daily fantasy sports and sports betting company, have announced a landmark partnership.
This comprehensive agreement has granted DraftKings the official sports betting and daily fantasy partner status within the WNBA.
Under the deal, the sports betting platform has received valuable marketing rights. This includes leveraging the WNBA’s and its teams’ intellectual property for promotions and enhanced visibility around marquee events like the All-Star game. Additionally, the fantasy sports leader will have access to official WNBA data, allowing them to offer fans a wider range of engaging betting options.
Commenting on the partnership, Matt Kalish, DraftKings President, said, “The WNBA has seen tremendous growth, which continues to be a bright spot in the sports world,” Kalish said, per the announcement. “We are proud to support the league in its efforts to continue expanding the game.”
Lisa Leslie, WNBA legend and DraftKings talent ambassador, added, “The WNBA is rapidly expanding its reach and DraftKings has an unmatched ability to further generate additional fan engagement,” Leslie said. “I am looking forward to seeing DraftKings elevate the WNBA’s fan experience in the midst of this record-breaking season.”
For the betting platform, this partnership presents a strategic opportunity to broaden its offerings and attract new customers interested in the burgeoning WNBA market. This agreement builds upon its successful collaboration with the National Basketball Association (NBA), established in 2021.
DraftKings is a leading American provider of daily fantasy sports contests and sports betting. In daily fantasy contests, users build virtual teams of real-life athletes and earn points based on their performance, competing for cash prizes. The fantasy sports leader has expanded into sports betting, allowing users to wager on the outcome of sporting events. The basketball legend LeBron James serves as the platform’s brand ambassador.
The WNBA is experiencing a surge in popularity. Recent partnerships with major broadcasters like TNT Sports (UK & Ireland) and Amazon Prime Video (USA) illustrate this growth. The league finished May with the highest-attended opening month in 26 years and the most-watched season start across television networks.
This partnership with the fantasy sports leader is the latest sign of the WNBA’s momentum. The league is attracting new sponsors like New Balance, Bumble, La Crema, Glossier, United Wholesale Mortgage, Opill, and Dream11.
