The WNBA's 2023 season—which saw a 31% increase in sponsorship and media deals—has been marked by strategic moves and lucrative partnerships, cementing its position as a trailblazing league in women's sports. As the season winds down with the current championship series between the Las Vegas Aces and the New York Liberty, let’s take a look at some of this season’s highlights. 

The league’s multiyear partnership with Scripps Sports (ION TV), announced last April, was a game-changer that both broadened the league’s reach, and guaranteed fans across the country uninterrupted access to the on-court action via a consistent national broadcast platform.

One of the season’s standout moments was the WNBA's return to ABC, where it averaged viewership of 627,000K, marking the league’s most-viewed regular season on the network in 11 years. Notably, the 2023 AT&T WNBA All-Star Game on ABC literally stole the show, averaging 850K viewers to become the most-watched all-star expo in 16 years. Beyond its burgeoning TV audience, the WNBA also witnessed its highest total attendance in 13 years, with 1.6M fans showing up to support their favorite teams.

On the sponsorship front, the restaurant sector has emerged as a formidable player in the WNBA, demonstrating its commitment to supporting women's sports with the most new sponsorship and media deals this year at 16, up from seven in 2022. The industry’s significant investment testifies to the WNBA's growing appeal and ability to attract a wide array of businesses as partners.

The WNBA's impressive roster of 2023 sponsorships underscores its forward-thinking approach. Partnerships with industry giants like Sony Interactive Entertainment, CarMax (Official Auto Retailer), and Discount Tire (Official Tire Retailer) have strengthened the league's marketability and enhanced the overall fan experience, elevating the WNBA to new heights. At the WNBA All-Star Game in Las Vegas July 15th, Sony gave fans the opportunity to play PlayStation during the surrounding All-Star events. The league's growing ability to secure these high-profile deals is a clear indicator of its thriving ecosystem and bright future in the dynamic women’s sports world.

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