The Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA), a women’s professional basketball league based in the United States, has inked a multi-year partnership with Bumble, the women-first dating app.
The agreement between the two entities has been inked to elevate women athletes and promote equality within sports.
Bumble is the competition’s first official dating app partner, providing easy opportunities for women to form genuine relationships through their common love of the game.
The partnership began with the AT&T WNBA All-Star 2024, which featured in Phoenix, Arizona, from July 18 to July 20. Bumble will be the presenting partner for the renowned Orange Carpet at WNBA Live presented by U.S. Bank. The cooperation will also include WNBA athlete-created behind-the-scenes and Bumble in-app content, intriguing activations at fan events like WNBA Live, WNBA-themed Bumble meetings, and amazing experiences for Bumble members, such as date nights at some of the WNBA’s most important games and moments.
Furthermore, Bumble users with the “basketball” interest label will receive local market game day notifications, special content, and experience enhancements.
Lidiane Jones, CEO at Bumble, said, “Partnering with one of the most renowned organizations in women’s sports, the WNBA, is extremely exciting for us and it exemplifies everything Bumble stands for: empowering and spotlighting women’s stories, helping people make connections over shared values and interests, and creating fun and safe experiences to bring our community together offline. We know being a sports fan is an important part of who people are and we look forward to celebrating that through this partnership.”
WNBA Chief Growth Officer Colie Edison, commented, “Bumble’s history of encouraging and championing women resonates deeply with the core values of the WNBA. Our partnership with Bumble furthers our shared mission of empowering women, and we look forward to creating impactful, inspiring opportunities focused on the power of connection.”
Bumble has always been devoted to promoting women’s equity and empowerment in sports. In 2023, Bumble started its 50for50 campaign, partnering with 50 college athletes through Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) partnerships to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Title IX. This year, Bumble built on existing partnerships by signing sponsorship agreements with four-time All-American and WBCA Defensive Player of the Year Cameron Brink and two-time U.S. Junior National gold champion Jada Williams.
Cameron Brink, WNBA athlete and Bumble Ambassador, said, “To collaborate alongside a company who centers around women was super important to me. From starting my time with Bumble as a college athlete to now growing with them in the WNBA makes our relationship that much more special. The first moves Bumble has made in sports over the years are so inspiring and I can’t wait to see the impact their partnership with the WNBA will have on fans everywhere.”
Furthermore, in 2019, Bumble established the first all-female Esports squad, establishing new ground in a typically male-dominated area, and in 2018, the Empowerment Badge was introduced as a mark of commitment to women’s empowerment in sports.