PointsBet Inks Partnership Deal with WNBA

US sports betting operator PointsBet sealed a partnership deal with the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA). This agreement is the first sponsorship deal the Australian-based company makes with a women’s professional sports league.

The deal was made official on Friday. It allows PointsBet to use the WNBA logos and players’ images throughout its platforms to market its brand that operates in US states where sports betting and iGaming are legal. The move also puts PointsBet in a position to set itself apart among women’s sports consumers. What makes the deal more attractive is that the WNBA reports that its viewership is on the rise. The financial terms of the deal were not made public.

In a statement, Cathy Engelbert, the WNBA Commissioner, indicated that the agreement with PointsBet would pave the way for a digital second-screen experience. The partnership gives WNBA fans and consumers a more exciting way to watch their basketball games tied to PointsBet betting odds.

Engelbert also asserted that innovation at the WNBA and uplifting the fan experience begins with recognizing how consumers want to interact with the teams, players, and the entire league.

With WNBA celebrating its 25th anniversary this season, they expect to see a surge in viewership. According to statistics from Turner Sports, they saw a 27% increase (81,000 fans) in the May 14 NBATV telecast. This is the season’s opener featuring Sabrina Ionescu, a New York Liberty star. There is an increase here compared to last July’s Washington-Connecticut game, where the number of viewers averaged 64,000.

In October, ESPN indicates that the three WNBA Finals series featuring the Las Vegas Aces and Seattle Storm averaged 440,000 viewers. The third game averaged 570,000 viewers. According to ESPN, there was a 34% increase in the number of viewers at the 2019 WNBA Finals Game 3 match.

PointsBet believes that there is a high likelihood that there will be an increase in sports betting activity around women’s sports. This perception comes after the excellent performance of the 2021 women’s college basketball contest that proved that women’s sports could indeed lure gamblers. In April, ESPN noted that the match between Stanford and Arizona averaged approximately 4 million viewers. The network also pointed out that the match was one of the most-watched women’s basketball contests since 2014.

Johnny Aitken, the PointsBet CEO, mentioned that they are delighted to partner with WNBA and bring the unique PointsBet experience to the digitally engaged fans on this planet. He also added that WNBA has done a great job growing their fan engagement and that PointsBet is happy to be an essential part of the puzzle moving forward.

PointsBet also looks towards incorporating in-game bets in the near future. In March, it bought Banach Technology, often lauded as the Robinhood of sports betting. In-play betting provides fans with more user engagement.

PointsBet is a premier online gambling operator that is legal in many US states. Check if online gambling and sports betting is legal where you are, and don’t forget to claim a welcome bonus!