New data demonstrates the WNBA’s opportunity value compared to men’s leagues

The GIST: Sponsorship insight platform SponsorPulse recently published its Sport Team Sponsorship Value Guide, which estimates and ranks the value of NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, MLS, and WNBA teams’ brand partnerships. While no WNBA team cracks the top 50, the report contains key insights about the league’s potential value. Let’s dig in.

🏀 Some WNBA franchises have an opportunity value comparable with MLS and NHL teams. SponsorPulse calculated the midpoint opportunity value, or how much it costs for sponsors to get involved with a team somewhere between a minimum value point (like community partnerships) and a maximum value point (like stadium naming rights).

• The report includes a high, low, and team average for this midpoint opportunity value. While the midpoint opportunity value for the average WNBA team is $750K, its highest-valued team is estimated at $2.05M, which isn’t far behind MLS’ high of $2.63M and the NHL’s $2.67M.

📈 No MLS or WNBA team appear on the top 50, and only one NHL team cracked the list, highlighting a notable gap between these leagues and the NFL, MLB, and NBA. Conversely, these leagues offer a cheaper entry point into sports sponsorship, especially for women-owned brands like The Honey Pot, which just inked its first-ever sports deal with the Atlanta Dream.

• Meanwhile, existing WNBA partners are responding to the league’s exponential growth by doubling down on their deals. This week, Commissioner’s Cup sponsor Coinbase invested an additional $120K in crypto to its $500K tourney prize pool, with $5K payouts to each player in the finals. Luckily, they have purse.

🗽 The New York Liberty are the top women's sport team on the list at No. 71. The Liberty’s sponsorship value exceeds dozens of men’s pro sports teams, and SponsorPulse’s data found that NY is cultivating a growing, highly-engaged fanbase that is delivering high impact to its 35 corporate partners.

• This sponsorship value is a testament to the Tsais’ invested ownership and award-winning front office. Start spreading the news…