What does Betmgm sponsorship mean to ACES for WNBA?
Las Vegas Aces announced a sponsorship with a sports betting house. What is the impact on the WNBA?
Las Vegas (AP) – The announcement of last week was made in the purest style of Las Vegasstrongly and strongly in the heart of the strip.
Representatives of the ACES, MGM Resorts and a local charity organization pressed a great red button, and suddenly, the famous sources of the Bellagio They roared behind them while the water rose to the sky.
They announced a three -year sponsorship between the WNBA team and the Betmgm sports betting house, coinciding with a press release in which the League reached a similar agreement.
This is not the first time that the WNBA or one of its clubs is associated with a sports betting company. The league also has agreements with Draftkings Sportsbook and Fanduel, and Indiana (Fanduel), Phoenix (Bally’s Corporation) and Washington (AM850 BET) They have reached similar agreements in recent years.
“I think it was something that should have been done for a long time,” said the commentator of the Hall of Fame, Debbie Antonelli, who has been part of the FEVER commentators team since 2000. way is positive for him. ”
WNBA is the most visible female league, but not the only one to do what was recently unthinkable and establish a relationship with the world of sports bets. Almost all leagues avoided this type of agreements until the United States Supreme Court, in 2018, allowed states to legalize sports bets if they wished.
This is changing rapidly, even in women’s sport.
Last September, the Washington Spirit of the National Women’s Soccer League signed an agreement with Fanatics Sportsbook. The Professional Women’s Hockey League, two years old, reached an agreement with Fanduel in December.
“We are observing growth in all female sports,” said Molly Wurdack-Folt, director of Liga Associations and Betmgm Sports Betting team. “We are seeing an increase in the audience. We are seeing an increase in assistance. But from the perspective of sports bets, specifically, the WNBA is leading the way. Only last year, Betmgm saw a 130% increase in bets made in the W. They are undoubtedly pioneering.”
WNBA was already on an ascending trajectory before Caitlin Clarkof the Faver, will take it to the next level last season. Antonelli calls him “Clarkanomics”, and the rookie of the year last season has contributed far to the WNBA shooting in television audience, assistance and, yes, in bets.
Although sports bets are traditionally an activity dominated by men, women are becoming a growing part of that population.
That is, at least in part, the reason why Betmgm signed these alliances and plans to establish an even greater presence in WNBA. The betting house offers more betting options this season and, for the first time, publishes future fees for the commissioner’s Cup. The League defender champion, New York, is the favorite with +130 to win the mid -season tournament.
It is not just the participation of Betmgm. According to the WNBA, the bets of the regular season in league matches doubled in draftkings and fanduel. The player of the Hall of Fame, Lisa Leslie, signed a promotional agreement with Draftkings, and Fanduel has more than tripled her bet of bets in the WNBA.
“I’ve been saying that the product is the narrative,” said Antonelli. “Our game has always been good. Now more people pay attention to you, and that is good for everyone. The greatest disruption was Caitlin in the market. Now everyone is receiving their part, and it’s great.”
The announcement in Bellagio represented a turning point for MGM, ACES and WNBA.
It was MGM Resorts International who acquired the then San Antonio Stars in October 2017, transferred them to Las Vegas and renewed the organization’s brand. MGM kept the property until Mark Davis, owner of the Las Vegas Raidersbought the team in January 2021.
And now both are united again, and it was not a surprise that MGM, based in Las Vegas, chose Aces for their first great collaboration with a female professional team.
“It almost gives you a different level of credibility,” said Nikki Fargas, president of ACES. “It’s not that I didn’t think we were credible, but it gives you a different level of credibility. I think it is important for us to be pioneers. I think it is important that we really strive to make this league the best possible because I think we have the best players in the world playing in this league.”
