DraftKings named as WNBA's second official sports betting partner
Operator joins FanDuel in penning deal with women’s basketball league, gaining access to team IP and marketing opportunities
DraftKings has been confirmed as the new official sports betting and daily fantasy partner of the WNBA.
In turn, the Boston-based operator now boasts the rights to both league and collective team intellectual property, while also gaining access to marketing, activation, and hospitality opportunities around some of the league’s most high-profile events, such as the AT&T WNBA All-Star game.
DraftKings is not the only operator that can claim the title of official sports betting partner of the WNBA; FanDuel has occupied same role as an extension of the daily fantasy sports deal it signed with the league in 2022.
As an official sports betting partner, DraftKings will make use of official WNBA data feeds to bolster the gameplay experience for its bettors.
This deal is by no means the first of its kind for DraftKings either, given the Nasdaq-listed operator has also been the official sports betting partner of the NBA since 2021.
The partnership is expected to earn DraftKings a notable increase in media exposure across all the WNBA’s relevant digital and linear media platforms.
One of those platforms includes the new WNBA Postseason Push, which will upload league highlights, social integrations, and issue odds updates focused on the latest WNBA standings over the last two weeks of the regular season in September.
DraftKings will also become the presenting partner of the WNBA Postseason Push as part of the deal.
Lisa Leslie, DraftKings talent ambassador, talked up the partnership and claimed the company has “unmatched ability” when it comes to increasing fan engagement.
“Having worked alongside both DraftKings and the WNBA, I am thrilled to see these innovative brands come together and further enhance excitement and visibility around women’s sports,” she explained.
“The WNBA is rapidly expanding its reach and DraftKings has an unmatched ability to further generate additional fan engagement. I am looking forward to seeing DraftKings elevate the WNBA’s fan experience in the midst of this record-breaking season.”
Colie Edison, WNBA chief growth officer, shared the sentiment, adding: “The WNBA is growing and expanding across the board, and partnering with industry leaders like DraftKings enables us to offer WNBA fans additional ways to engage with their favorite teams and players, responsibly and with integrity.”
Edison insisted that the partnership is one that will only increase the level of attention the WNBA receives.
“This opportunity for DraftKings to lean in with us to support women’s sports will welcome more fans to the WNBA,” she explained.
“We’re looking forward to working alongside DraftKings to further enhance innovation and equity in women’s sports.”
Both DraftKings and the WNBA made clear their respective commitments to promoting responsible gambling, with both organizations active members of the American Gaming Association.
The WNBA is also a part of The Coalition for Responsible Sports Betting Advertising, an alliance made up of professional sports leagues and media outlets to ensure the topic of sports betting advertising is tackled responsibly.