Core Insights - The WNBA is experiencing unprecedented interest and demand for women's basketball, leading to plans for expansion to 18 teams by 2030, following a recent increase from 12 to 13 teams in 2025 [1][2] - Significant growth in viewership, merchandise sales, and attendance has been reported for the 2024 season, with ESPN's audience increasing by 170%, merchandise sales soaring over 600%, and total attendance reaching a 22-year high with a 48% year-over-year increase [1][2] Sponsorship Growth - In the 2024 season, WNBA teams secured 450 sponsors across 531 deals, generating a total sponsorship revenue of $76 million, with an average of 44 deals per team, marking a 52% increase from 2022 [2][3] - The financial sector dominates sponsorship revenue, accounting for over 40% of total sponsorships, with notable sponsors including Ally Financial, Gainbridge, and Robinhood [6][3] - The healthcare sector is also active, with over 40 healthcare systems investing in the league, exemplified by a significant sponsorship deal between Symetra and the Seattle Storm [6][3] Emerging Opportunities - The gaming sector, despite only 11 sponsorship deals, shows substantial untapped revenue potential, while technology and automotive sectors are still in early stages of collaboration with the WNBA [8][3] - New partnerships have emerged, including Ally Financial as the official banking partner and multi-year agreements with brands like Coach, Evernorth, and Booking.com [8][3] Social Media Engagement - WNBA players and teams benefit from high social media engagement, with a reported media value of $136 million during the regular season, driven by a unique fan demographic that engages more on social platforms compared to other leagues [9][10] - Young fans aged 18-34 spend over 2.3 hours weekly interacting with player content on social media, leading brands to invest in partnerships with popular players [13][10] Player Influence - The most engaged players on social media include Paige Bueckers and Angel Reese, with significant brand interactions, indicating the rising commercial value of new stars [10][14] - Teams with high sponsorship numbers often correlate with player popularity, as seen with the Indiana Fever, which has the most sponsors and social media followers, largely due to star player Caitlin Clark [17][19] Brand Perception - WNBA fans show a higher likelihood of noticing and supporting sponsors compared to NBA fans, with 71% of WNBA fans more likely to notice sponsors and 70% willing to purchase from them [19][21] - New brands are increasingly choosing the WNBA for their first foray into sports sponsorship, recognizing the league's potential to reach targeted audiences effectively [21][19]
爆火的WNBA：队均44家赞助商，有品牌投入3倍于NBA
3 6 Ke·2025-08-04 23:41